YOURSAY | ‘Games will only add a minuscule boost to the economy.’

COMMENT | Dark truths on '98 Commonwealth Games emerge

Drkam: Should we still entertain the idea of hosting, especially in the wake of the scandalous 1998 Commonwealth Games?

Malaysiakini columnist R Nadeswaran has succinctly outlined persistent concerns surrounding the games.

Despite its prestige, it remains a costly endeavour, with financial transparency akin to the MH370 mystery.

The aftermath resembles messy clean-ups post-ceremonies, as initial excitement wanes, leaving neglect to handle the aftermath.

The image of officials opening stadium doors for free entry to bolster televised event crowds is undeniably embarrassing.

Now, with a cadre of inexperienced leaders, including the Malaysian Olympic Council (OCM) and its non-sportsperson president Norza Zakaria, pushing for Malaysia to host the 2026 Games, it appears history may repeat itself with costly missteps. One can only hope they learn from past mistakes.

Falcon: The gluttony of corruption, abuse and inappropriate behaviour is still a reminder to those who witnessed the onslaught by both political and business cronies.

Sadly, lessons have not been learnt. We are ready to point out the shortfalls of others, but when worse things take place domestically, not a whisper can be heard.

There are those with no conscience and willing to dip and spend money we do not have so that the glamour of photo shoots and publicity will elevate their political stature.

But at what costs again this time? More subtle taxes? We cannot even fix our food security ecosystem but are obsessed with picking up what Australia casts out.

Who felt we needed this? Those who lost the plot of truly committed reforms or those who don't care for the plight of the majority struggling to make ends meet while living jet-setting political lives citing untruths?

WhiteHawk2009: Sports-wise, we are at a stage where we only excel in badminton, cycling and perhaps, squash.

Let’s focus on building more public healthcare facilities and schools as well as making every corner of the country's internet accessible.

Build proper roads in the rural areas, and ensure good libraries are built with a “workable” internet service, so kids can go to and learn. “Kita jaga kita” (we take care of each other).

The Commonwealth Games is a case of wealth not being common and glorifying colonial England’s oppressive rule of blatant oppression, murder of the indigenous people, taping and plundering in all the countries they conquered.

Just a Malaysian: The standard of our athletes has dropped. We are no longer world-class in many sports.

We are not an open society and carry with us religious and social baggage. We are broke. We do not have a good administrator.

We have cronies waiting to capitalise on the billions of ringgit to be spent. We do not have a good maintenance culture and facilities built deteriorate over time and become a burden.

We have many other immediate problems to resolve. We have a super negative opposition that will paralyse the project to death.

We have an overactive Islamist movement and a sensitive rightist group. We should never host the Commonwealth Games.

Focusapp: Malaysia should not hold any international sports event that is contrary to its actions. The games are a beacon of diversity, inclusivity and equity.

Solve all the racial and religious biases in your backyard. Don't go around spending millions and billions to put on a "wayang" (show) that Malaysia is a "great" and "multi-racial" country when it is not.

The games will only add a minuscule boost to the economy. Cronies will benefit, but future generations will be left to shoulder the debt burden by helping to pay interest funded by taxes.

Apek superdad: These old chaps would not remember anything now, selective or not. It would be better to let Singapore host the games. They'll do a better job.

They're more organised, more efficient and have the money to do this. We'll just be fluffing around.

Our leadership should just focus on fixing our education mess, our economy and our national issues first.

For example, get Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to fix the aerotrain at KLIA to run smoothly before organising any big event in the country. That alone is another national embarrassment.

Take a good look at ourselves.

LimeSinga1592: We have very loud and strong saboteurs in this country who oppose anything the elected government does.

Our current government is not strong enough to take these naysayers on.

The games have the potential of creating another mega scandal and Malaysia might have to contend with boycotts from certain countries for not conforming to their worldview.

All this could lead to massive losses.

If the government can address the issues mentioned, I will support holding the 2026 Commonwealth Games here.

Headhunter: Will they ever learn? Not as long as they can help themselves to the moneybag. If we host another Commonwealth Games, be assured that this sorry tale will be repeated.

It's just another opportunity for cronies and rent seekers to raid the treasury.

Can anyone remember the last time that a big-budget undertaking in a country was corruption-free? I certainly can't.

That's why there are so many bunglings and competencies in project management previously, because the main objective is to milk the cash cow, while all other objectives are secondary.

Who gives a hoot if things go haywire?

History tells us that it will soon be forgotten anyway, and the whole gang will be happily padding themselves on their backs and laughing all the way to the bank.

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