KJ hopes Terengganu will reconsider sponsorship withdrawal

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in his Facebook posting said he was shocked to read about the Menteri Besar's decision.

"I was shocked by the decision made by Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said to withdraw the RM2 million sponsorship for the 2014 LTdL and also withdraw from hosting any stage of the tour.

"I was made to understand that the decision was made based on the perception that the 2017 SEA Games cycling races (road) will be held in Johor and the prestigious Monsoon Cup sailing event will be shifted from its current home in Pulau Duyong, next year," he said.

Yesterday, Ahmad had announced that the Terengganu state government would not continue its RM2 million sponsorship of the 2014 LTdL since Terengganu would not be hosting the 2017 SEA Games cycling event and the Monsoon Cup next year.

The Menteri Besar was said to be disappointed since the support, contributions and infrastructure available in the state was not valued by the Youth and Sports Ministry.

According to Khairy, the cabinet and the Ministry have yet to make any decision on the location or venue for the 2017 SEA Games although the Cabinet has given the green light to host the games.

"Although the Cabinet has agreed to host the 2017 SEA Games, a decision on whether Malaysia can host or not will only be made by the SEA Games Federation on Dec 10," he said adding that any suggestion of venues were only proposals.

"The government has yet to make any decision on the Monsoon Cup for next year although the agreement between the ministry and former organiser T-Best Events Sdn Bhd to host the event in Terengganu had expired in 2012. We have not made any decision on the venue for next year."

Khairy said though there may have been a misunderstanding with regards to the two events, the LTdL should not become a victim.

He also advised everyone to remain calm and not make any decisions based on perception.