Commenting on recent press speculation abroad, Sieh Kok Chi, secretary of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, told the Bernama news agency on Tuesday that the games would go ahead as planned in September. "Only the Commonwealth Games Federation is empowered to do this,'' he said.
The CCF general assembly is scheduled for September 8. It will be too late to change. Any move to change the venue must go through the proper channel.''
He added that none of the CGF's 69 member countries had voiced any concern about Malaysia's ability to host the games.
There have been growing concerns that a heavy smoke haze could force their cancellation, while competing nations have also expressed concern over Kuala Lumpur's heavy traffic.
The Commonwealth Games Federation has said events will be halted if pollution reaches danger levels on individual days.
Malaysia is the first Asian country to host the Games in their 68-year history.
Plagued by the regional economic crisis, the government in January slashed their budget for the games by five percent but stressed the event would still be a grand affair.
The 1998 Games will be the first to include team events such as cricket, rugby, hockey and netball. Some 6,000 officials and athletes are expected to compete in 15 sports.
So far, 65 out of 69 countries have confirmed their participation.
Malaysia have rejected claims that the Commonwealth Games may be taken from Kuala Lumpur.
