BANGI: An assessment, including a structural forensic evaluation, on the Bukit Jalil National Stadium will be carried out immediately to identify aspects of the stadium that need to be improved before further action is taken by the Youth and Sports Ministry.

       Its Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (pic) said he had instructed Stadium Malaysia Corporation (PSM) to appoint a company to make the assessment because apart from the field, improvements would also cover other facilities such as toilets at the stadium.

       "The stadium was built in the 1990s for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, we haven't conducted a structural forensic evaluation for a long time, so we want to know if it's still strong or what needs to be done," he told reporters after closing the Youth Parliament Conference here Thursday (June 16).

       According to him, after the evaluation report is received, the PSM board of directors will meet to determine the facilities that need to be improved before the matter is submitted to the Finance Ministry.

       "At the same time, we will start the government procurement processes because we cannot change the field (without approval)," he said.

       He said the pitch would be replaced with "Zeon Zoysia" grass similar to that used at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, which was donated by the Tunku Mahkota Johor (TMJ) Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

       Ahmad Faizal also explained that the National Stadium would not be completely closed from Wednesday (June 15), as some facilities not involved in the improvement works such as the tracks can be used for now.

       "We are in discussions with some organisers (who have made bookings), for example the returfing is not starting tomorrow, so if you want to hold a concert you can. What we don't want to disturb is when we start the process of changing the grass, it will then be totally closed, ” Ahmad Faisal said.

       According to him, progress reports on the repair work will also be made public from time to time.

       The poor quality of the pitch at the National Stadium and stagnant water after heavy rain before the match between Malaysia and Bahrain kicked off last Saturday (June 11) sparked dissatisfaction among various quarters.

       To make matters worst, some stadium workers were seen trying to drain water from the field surface using shovels and cardboard just before the match began, which drew criticism and tarnished the country's image at the international level causing the ministry to speed up improvement work originally planned to begin in March 2023.

       Meanwhile, Ahmad Faizal said he would liaise with the Prime Minister's Office to discuss details of incentives for the national hockey and football teams for qualifying for the 2023 World Cup and Asian Cup, respectively. - Bernama