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Don’t be ‘trigger happy’, understand National Stadium issue first, Ti tells MP

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker told Parliament today that those calling for heads to roll do not understand the issue surrounding the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

He chided fellow MP Wong Kah Woh (PH – Ipoh Timur) for being “trigger-happy” following the latter’s remark that the ministry should not blame the FA of Malaysia (FAM) over the flooding incident in June, and that “heads must roll”.

The iconic National Stadium, which has hosted a series of international events and live shows since 1998, came under scrutiny following the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifying match between Bahrain and Malaysia, last month.

The teams played on a rain-soaked pitch due to a downpour before the 9pm kick-off. Several individuals used dustpans and cardboards to remove water from the field. Their actions were lambasted by Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM), as the stadium owners insisted that the drainage system was working but needed time to channel the water out.

Match officials, however, deemed the field playable and allowed the match to go on as scheduled. Malaysia lost 2-1.

Ti said FAM was the one who had asked the individuals to use dustpans and cardboards to clear the water.

He was responding to several questions from lawmakers regarding the state of affairs at the National Stadium.

“The stadium is scheduled to be upgraded. Steps and processes were taken … visits, technical evaluations, research,” said Ti.

“A decision on how much it will cost would include the offer by Johor Darul Ta’zim to lay the new pitch.”

Ti added that the upgrading works would be completed by the end of next year. He said the allocation approved for such works under the 12th Malaysia Plan had been capped at RM32 million.

He also highlighted that PSM had closed the stadium on June 5 for some upgrading works to be done in stages.

“It is not a full closure of the stadium, but only areas where work has to be carried out,” Ti added.

According to Ti, JDT owner Tunku Ismail Ibrahim had visited the stadium in March, and that representatives from the Johor club had reverted to the Youth and Sports Ministry last month regarding the laying of the new pitch.

Tunku Ismail had earlier offered to cover the cost of the new field.

“The necessary decisions and actions have been taken,” he added.

Following a public outcry, the National Stadium was ordered closed by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu last month.

PSM brought in experts from government agencies to assess the facilities that needed to be repaired or replaced at the National Stadium and other venues in its stable.

Some have started, including repairs on toilets at several other stadiums, and the roof and the tracks at the National Stadium.