PETALING JAYA: The Bukit Jalil National Stadium will be closed from June 15 for renovation works, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

       The Youth and Sports Minister said the repair works could no longer be postponed as the stadium was in dire straits.

       "We had initially planned to close the stadium at the end of March 2023 and carry out repair works but the situation now requires immediate attention.

       "The ministry views the matter surrounding the stadium condition, especially on the quality of the pitch and facilities seriously.

       "We can no longer stand back and gamble with the nation’s pride by delaying the necessary actions," he said in a statement on Tuesday (June 14).

       He added the quality of the pitch and facilities were legacies that must be dealt with quickly and seen through till the end.

       The stadium’s pitch came under scrutiny after Malaysia faced Bahrain in a qualifying match for the Asian Cup, whereby the pitch was water-logged.

       Several stadium staff were seen manually pushing the water out using cardboard and shovels, raising questions about the facilities.