IN conjunction with the closing ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games and the flag handover from Thailand to host Malaysia for the 2027 SEA Games in Bangkok on Sunday, 20 December, a symbolic state-level event will be held at PDC Waterfront Foodie @ Bayan Lepas.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said visitors at the event will enjoy a live big-screen broadcast from Bangkok, aired via Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Astro Arena, and TVS Sarawak across television and social media platforms.
“Penang will be one of four main hosts for the 2027 SEA Games, organising six sports: sepak takraw, billiards and snooker, judo, boxing, table tennis, and floorball. In addition to Penang, Sarawak, Johor, and the Federal Territories will also serve as competition venues for the region’s top athletes,” Gooi told a press conference at Komtar today.
To enliven the event, activities will be held from 4.00pm to 11.30pm at PDC Waterfront Foodie, located next to the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge, also known as the Penang Second Bridge, in Batu Maung.
One of the main highlights is the Mega Aerobics Exercise Programme, organised by the Penang State Department of Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Sri Tanjung Fitness Club. About 700 participants are expected to join in a two-and-a-half-hour group session, promoting community unity and a healthy lifestyle.
The programme is also supported by the sportswear brand Elgini, which has kindly agreed to sponsor clothing and bags for participants who register online via the HOWEI.COM portal.
Gooi also confirmed that SEA Games judo gold medallist Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed from Penang will be present. Amir made history by ending Malaysia’s 44-year SEA Games judo gold medal drought.
“As the grand finale, visitors will be treated to a fireworks display set against the backdrop of the Penang Second Bridge, adding to the excitement of the closing ceremony of the SEA Games 2025 and the flag handover ceremony to the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF),” he said.
Gooi also congratulated Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and Mordi Bimol on their appointments as Minister and Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, respectively and also expressed gratitude to former Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan for her support and her new role as the Federal Territories Minister.
In a separate matter, he stated that the state government will support the initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) regarding the ban on electronic cigarettes or vaping.
Also present at the press conference were Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai Heng Hua, Department of Sports and Youth director Mozakir Buyong Mokthar and PDC Setia Urus Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Loi Kai Horng.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Watawa Nataf Zulkifli