All eyes will be on the structural forensic inspection of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, which will take place next week.
The process, between Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) and the Public Works Department, is scheduled to begin on July 13, and will determine if the iconic venue is still safe to be used.
PSM chief executive officer, Faidz Sanusi, confirmed the structural forensic inspection process, adding it was part of the corporation’s commitment to fix and upgrade the facilities at the National Stadium, and other venues under its purview.
Construction work for the National Stadium, which boasts a seating capacity of 85,000, started in 1995 and was ready in 1998 — in time for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
The Shah Alam Stadium, another iconic venue located just outside the capital city, had also suffered from major structural defects that have rendered it unsafe. The stadium, which first opened its doors in 1994, is run and maintained by the Selangor government.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari recently said that the rebuilding of the Shah Alam Stadium would be announced soon.
Repair works at the National Stadium quickly began after Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu ordered the Bukit Jalil venue shut on June 15.
This was following the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifying match between Bahrain and Malaysia on June 11, where the teams played on a rain-soaked pitch following a downpour prior to the 9pm kick-off.
“To avoid things from getting broken, we need to maintain them regularly,” said Faidz.
After barely four months in office, Faidz has had to deal with legacy issues. The National Stadium and other PSM sports facilities were closed for the most part of the two years when the government imposed lockdowns in 2020. The venues were pretty much left unattended.
“After two years of relatively no maintenance, we are now doing what we can to fix things and get them in order.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about upholding the maintenance culture.”
Some of the work that has been done include the cleaning and repairing of the roof at the National Stadium, unclogging and repairing the toilets at the National Stadium and Axiata Arena, and repair works at the surau (prayer rooms).
“We still have much to do. We are in the midst of repairing the outdoor running track (around the National Stadium). As for the pitch, we will adhere to the government process, by bringing it to the Finance Ministry, via the Youth and Sports Ministry, to be awarded as a direct negotiation contract.”
The direct negotiation is due to the fact that Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, the owner of Johor Darul Ta’zim, has agreed to foot the bill for the laying of the new turf at the National Stadium.
“We are also fixing the tennis courts at Jalan Duta. The courts will be resurfaced and we will check the lighting, too.”
Faidz said PSM received grants from the government to carry out maintenance work.
He said it was important for PSM to lead by example, as talks of grading sports facilities in the country gain traction.
“But I must admit, vandalism is rather high, especially at the playgrounds and toilets. We hope to address this.”
Missing bidets, and even toilet covers, are a common sight.
“Perhaps we need to look at vandal-proof toilets,” he added.
