KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told sports event organisers today to find their own funding sources instead of relying solely on the government, after Putrajaya halved funding for Le Tour De Langkawi.

Khairy acknowledged, however, that the sports industry in Malaysia is not “mature” enough on its own, hence the need for continued financial support from the government.

“That is a signal that you should not rely on taxpayers’ money. You should find your own money,” he said in a press conference at an art event here.

“The government is not in the business of organising events, so we have to try to privatise and have the private sector bear the cost,” he added.

Khairy reportedly said in September that his ministry has decided to reduce the amount of grants to Le Tour De Langkawi, a popular bicycle race, from RM20 million to RM10 million.

The task to organise the event and to source funds was given to a private company, Human Voyage Sdn Bhd.