The Youth and Sports Ministries of Sabah and Sarawak are planning to form the East Malaysia Sport Commission (EMSC) to develop sports in both states.

Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (photo) said the EMSC would enable both states to organise joint sports events, share sports facilities and to develop sports.

“Previously we had the National Sports Institute (ISN) under the federal government which was closed last December. So many of them (staff) under this institute are unemployed, but as a humanitarian state, we will take them (as EMSC staff)," he said in Kuching today,

The meeting was held in conjunction with the Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe’s courtesy call to Abdul Karim. He was accompanied by the Sabah Youth and Sports assistant minister Arunamsin Taib and Sabah Sports Board chairman Tan Kah Hock.

“It is our hope that the establishment of the EMSC will develop sports in Sarawak and Sabah to a higher level,” added Abdul Karim during a press conference held after the meeting.

- Bernama