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KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor FC supporters can expect a new stadium comparable to Liverpool’s Anfield after the state government handed over a letter of intent (LOI) to renowned developer Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) today.
When asked whether the refurbished or redeveloped Shah Alam stadium would be better than Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) Sultan Ibrahim stadium, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said “I think it can be compared to Anfield”.
Johor Darul Ta’zim’s home ground seats 60,000, while Anfield has a capacity of 53,394.
Expected to break ground early next year and be completed in 2026, Amirudin added that the proposed redevelopment of the Shah Alam Stadium complex would cater for both outdoor and indoor sports.
“This is still under discussion; I am not sure if it will be combined.
“But if it does, then the new structure will host both indoor and outdoor games.”
When asked about the maintenance aspect of the stadium, Amirudin said the annual cost to maintain the current stadium was among the factors for the redevelopment.
“As the current stadium is large, the maintenance cost is also a large amount, RM5 million a year.
So, the decision to build a smaller yet appropriately sized stadium would be better given the fan attendance, and would also be easier to maintain,” he added.
He also said that it is more financially viable to build a new stadium compared to fixing up the current one which is in poor condition.
“Even if we fix the current stadium, we will still encounter problems that arise from it in the future.
“Financially, it is more worthwhile to build a new stadium that already has state-of-the-art features instead of upgrading the current one,” he said.
He said the cost to bring back the current Shah Alam Stadium to its former glory would already cost RM787 million.
Amirudin also said plans for the new structure were inspired by the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, home of AFC Ajax.
Meanwhile, he said the 500 street vendors that operate on weekends at the current stadium will be relocated.
“We will make sure that they are provided with a proper place to carry out their business while the current stadium undergoes redevelopment.”
The ceremony involved the handing over of a letter of intent (LOI) to MRCB, who will now conduct a detailed discussion with the state government on plans for the stadium and its surrounding areas.
Amirudin also took a jibe at former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over his comments blaming the state government for the Shah Alam Stadium’s deterioration. – The Vibes, July 15, 2022.
