KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 Malaysia is considering bidding for the 2019 Asian Games after twice being rejected for the region's biggest multi-sports event.

The country's Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek told local media that Kuala Lumpur also wanted to stage the 2013 International Olympic Committe (IOC) Congress.

“If Malaysia is given the opportunity to host the IOC Congress it will strengthen Kuala Lumpur's bid for the 2019 Asian Games,” he was quoted by Malaysia's Bernama news agency.

Malysia previously lost out to Qatar in the bidding to host the 2006 Asian Games and pulled out of the race for 2010 due to financial reasons.

The Chinese city of Guangzhou will host next year's Asian Games while South Korea's Incheon stages the event in 2014. The first Asian Games was held in New Delhi in 1951.—Reuters