![[UPDATED] Shah Alam Stadium to see new lease of life](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/15072022_-_SEL_-_Amirudin_Shari_at_Majlis_Penyerahan_Surat_Niat_Pembangunnan_Kompleks_Sukan_Shah_Alam_-_Nooreza_Hashim_-_04.jpg)
KUALA LUMPUR – The Selangor government has decided that the iconic Shah Alam Stadium needs a new lease of life.
Handing a letter of intent (LOI) to Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) today, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the company has been asked to give a detailed proposal on upgrade or redevelopment plans.
With the LOI, MRCB will now conduct a detailed discussion with the state government on plans for the stadium and its surrounding areas.
Amirudin said the decision for redevelopment was made after long and thorough consideration since 2013.
It was picked out of 15 companies as the state is confident MRCB has the financial capacity to undertake the project.
“We don’t want to give it to a company that will merely use the stadium as collateral to obtain financing for itself,” said Amirudin.
He added that it would cost taxpayers RM787 million merely to repair and refurbish the stadium.
“So we need to look at the best options for the stadium, whether it is a refurbishment or a brand new facility.”
Plans for a new or upgraded stadium will be publicly displayed in September.
Expected to break ground early next year, the project is estimated to be completed by 2026 and will leverage on the area’s existing draws such as its location and the upcoming LRT3 line, which Amirudin said will be operational in 2025.
He said the redevelopment project will have a spending cap of RM787 million.
“It will be cheaper to build a new stadium, and address all the issues that cropped up such as flooding, than to fix the current structure for RM787 million.”
Amirudin added that the project will be a public-partnership with a win-win solution.
“No public funds will be used for this project. Aside from being a financially sustainable undertaking, it is also environmentally sustainable for the surrounding areas.
“We can also expect tremendous spillover economic effects for both the vicinity and the state.”
He also invited the public to share feedback by sending their ideas to the Shah Alam Stadium Complex account on Facebook and Twitter @KompleksSukanSA. – The Vibes, July 15, 2022
