Indonesian official floats boycott over Malaysia’s SEA Games programme

Indonesia could consider a boycott of Malaysia’s 2027 SEA Games over the exclusion of several sports, Indonesian Olympic Committee executive board member Krisna Bayu has suggested, according to Antara. Indonesian sporting bodies have also criticised the programme.

Bayu, who is president of the Sambo Federation, sought changes to how the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) is structured. He argued that decisions by the host were compromising athletes’ interests and the future of sport in the region.

Approved on Oct. 30, the programme has seven fewer sports and 100 fewer events than the 2025 Games in Thailand. Among the omissions are triathlon, rowing and sport climbing. Badminton will have neither a men’s nor a women’s team competition, while beach volleyball is also excluded.

The Indonesian Rowing Association said the omission would disrupt training and stop title-holders from defending their medals. It accused Malaysia of breaching an agreement made at a SEAGF meeting in May 2024 to include rowing at the 2025, 2027 and 2029 Games.

Indonesia’s triathletes took seven golds in 2025, and its climbers won four golds across six events. The Indonesian Climbing Federation warned that U17 and U19 competitors would lose an opportunity to build international experience.

Nur Azmi Ahmad, vice president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, said countries had raised no objections when the proposed programme was considered, Utusan reported. He ruled out additions because of preparation time. The Games are scheduled for Sept. 18 to 29, 2027, with Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Penang and Johor hosting.