KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- While most of the Asean countries are helping Laos, the 2009 Sea Games host, in cash or kind for the 25th edition of the Games, Malaysia has been left out of the contributors list.
The reason -- lack of a proper mechanism on who should initiate the effort to help Laos.
"On Malaysia's part, who should take the initiative to help Laos? The Youth and Sports Ministry, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) or Kok Chi?" OCM honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said when contacted by Bernama here Wednesday.
He was asked to comment on whether the Laos National Sports Committee (LNSC) had sought help from the OCM for the Games preparation.
A check by Bernama on several Laos Sea Games websites found that most of the Asean countries are contributing to the cash-strapped Laos which will host the bienniel event in Vientiane, on Dec 13-21 next year.
According to the websites, so far more than RM300 million have been provided by the international community for the poorest country in the region.
Sieh said he had visited Laos twice since early this year and had conducted several courses and seminars for the LNSC.
"That's all I can say about Malaysia's contribution to Laos for now because I'm not in the capacity to pledge anything, whether in cash or kind for LNSC," he said.
He said the Laotian Sports Ministry had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia's Youth and Sports Ministry early last year on cooperation for the Games but since then, there had been no follow-up.
According to the websites, Laos' closest neighbour, Vietnam , is one of the major contributors by offering its expertise in information technology (IT), including installing the new electronic equipment at the new football and indoor stadiums.
Vietnam, the 2005 Sea Games host, together with Thailand will also help Laos in the doping control during the Games.
In fact, Vietnam has pledged to help Laos build the athletes village in Vientiane.
Thailand's Tourism and Sports Ministry will spend about RM10 million to renovate the national football stadium, tennis courts and the sports department's indoor stadium.
The ministry will also pay about RM600,000 for the training of referees and athletes.
Meanwhile Singapore has planted 500 trees around the new footballl stadium and started promoting the Games last month.
why laos could not do it by themselves? this is embarrassing when a host country they could not even afford to spend a penny on the sports event like this and want to host.
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If your left leg is Thanksgiving, and your right leg is Christmas, can I visit you between the holidays?
why laos could not do it by themselves? this is embarrassing when a host country they could not even afford to spend a penny on the sports event like this and want to host.
Without your help Laos could not do it themselves ...if you don't want to be embarassed- help Laos out
i did my part already when i was visiting laos last year so i hope they put my money in good use. they taxed in and out of laos i did my part.
SEA game is a big event and it is impossible for Laos to organize oneself. Organizing this SEA game require investment not only money but also human resource, expertise of management the event, sport management, IT, etc. Therefore, Many good friends of Laos give hands to organize this proud event in Southeast Asia. Eventhough some neighouring countries have assisted Laos for the mentioned above, but there is still not enough budget and of cause those budget will be borne by the Lao government. please kindly follow up the news and information for coming SEA game, and it will be convienced that being the host for SEA game 2009 is not an easy task, but we Laotain need to support and contribute together.
SEA game is a big event and it is impossible for Laos to organize oneself. Organizing this SEA game require investment not only money but also human resource, expertise of management the event, sport management, IT, etc. Therefore, Many good friends of Laos give hands to organize this proud event in Southeast Asia. Eventhough some neighouring countries have assisted Laos for the mentioned above, but there is still not enough budget and of cause those budget will be borne by the Lao government. please kindly follow up the news and information for coming SEA game, and it will be convienced that being the host for SEA game 2009 is not an easy task, but we Laotain need to support and contribute together.
from Mr.Lonely
i'm too broke right now lol. if i were in laos, i would gladly volunteer for the event though. i'm sure they would benefit from my great organizational skills. they should reach out to numerous samakomlaos in the united states, france, etc and collect donations for the game.
hhmmmmm... interesting article.. Bruce, do you have the list?? or can get a hold of the list of countries that donate..
Sorry brother, I don't have the list, but you can tell from what it said. Malesia is the only country that has not yet donated anything. I guess they will donate something eventually.
Never mind. Next time Malaysia can be the list, Haha.
Yes, different people have different interpretation about donation or help Laos.
I am a poor Lao person glad to hear that some friendly countries can give a hand to Laos, while Laos is still poor. I feel like Laos is not lonely, unlike North Korea, Cuba or Iran.
Laos still needs a lot of help from its friends so that it can stand on its feet, probably some times later. At that time Laos may be able to help them back, no doubt.
they should reach out to numerous samakomlaos in the united states, france, etc and collect donations for the game. 
