BANGI – The Youth and Sports Ministry has instructed the Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) to engage with relevant consultants to conduct structure forensics on the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said this is to assess the damage of the stadium pitch so that the repair work – that was initially planned for March next year – can be carried out soon.
“I have instructed PSM to call a consultant to conduct structure forensics on the stadium.
“This building was built a long time ago, and we have not done any structural assessment since the 1998 Commonwealth Games that was hosted there.
“We need to know what needs to be done,” said Faizal when met after presenting his winding-up speech at the Youth Parliament sitting in Tenera Hotel.
He added that his ministry will also conduct meetings with PSM board members to discuss the procurement process for the stadium repairs before they proceed with the Finance Ministry.
“As a result of the meeting, we will bring this matter to the Finance Ministry so that the procurement decision can be made.”
Faizal said they will also consider upgrading the football pitch based on the same quality used at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor.
Although the stadium is closed starting yesterday to make way for repairs, Faizal said other facilities can be used as long as it does not interfere with their efforts to improve the football field.
Once the ministry and PSM have received the completed structure forensics report, they will issue a monthly report to the media and the public to update their progress.
The minister was commenting on the appalling condition of the stadium pitch during Malaysia’s 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Bahrain on Saturday night.
The pitch had been soaked since 7pm from a heavy downpour that lasted two hours. – The Vibes, June 16, 2022
