Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek who said his Ministry would inform the Cabinet about this to get its final approval for the bid.

He said: "Malaysia has the experience to host world-class games like when we hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

"I believe with that experience Malaysia can host the Asian Games."

Ahmad Shabery made his announcement after attending the Malaysian Sports Industry Convention 2009, which was opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

It will be the Malaysian capital's second bid for the Games, having been beaten by Doha in Qatar to stage the 2006 event.

He said that the international standard sports facilities at the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex (pictured), built for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, will form the basis of the bid.

The main stadium has a capacity of 100,000.

Ahmad Shabery said: "We already have the facilities available and a bid would help in our effort to reach our sports development targets.

"Some of the venues will need a bit of sprucing up while new venues will only be constructed if needed.

"In addition, we will have eight years to prepare our athletes for the Games,"

Ahmad Shabery claimed the Asian Games were more prestigious than the Commonwealth Games.

Kuala Lumpur were the first Asian city to host the Commonwealth Games, which was attended by a record 3,638 athletes from 70 countries and territories.

The highlights included Trinidad's Ato Boldon narrowly missing the world record in the 100 metres as he won in 9.88sec and 15-year-old Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe winning four gold medals.

The last Asian Games in Doha attracted 13,000 athletes from 45 countries, who competed in 39 sports.

The 2010 Asian Games will be held in Guangzhou, China and the 2014 Games in Incheon, South Korea.

There will then be a five-year gap until the next Games because the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), who organise the event, recently changed the cycle so that they are held in the year before the Olympics.