Perlis Menteri Besar Azlan Man has directed work at construction sites for SUKMA to be carried out around the clock (24 hours), to avoid any delays in the completion of infrastructure for the games.

Azlan said, to date, construction of new venues or upgrading was on schedule but the directive was issued as a precaution to avoid delays.

"Judging from the works currently being carried out, I am confident everything will be completed on schedule, in time for the SUKMA, especially the aquatic centre and badminton stadium.

"There was some physical problems and delay in the construction of both the venues but I have instructed the contractor to work round the clock," he said after receiving a sponsorship pledge of RM100,000 from Cement Industries of Malaysia Berhad (CIMA), for the SUKMA.

He said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin who visited the site and preparations recently had also expressed concern with the preparations of the venues.

CIMA managing director Mohd Yusri Md Yusof handed over the cheque Abdul Jamil Saad who is the state exco for Youth and Sports.

The SUKMA, scheduled from May 24 to June 4, will feature 24 sports.