KUALA LUMPUR: Once the pride of Selangor, the dilapidated 29-year-old Shah Alam Stadium (SSA) is getting repaired at last.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in a reply on X app on Saturday said the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) has approved to demolition of the stadium on Friday (Dec 22).
"… just received approval from MBSA yesterday," he said in his reply to a user @Mstqmyiz, who asked about the update on the plan to replace Shah Alam Stadium with the new state-of-the-art Shah Alam Sports Complex (KSSA).
On Sept 30, Amirudin said that the planning permission to demolish the stadium would be issued in November.
He said demolition works will proceed as soon as approval is given for the purpose, with the new stadium expected to be completed in 2026.
On June 29 last year, Amirudin in a post on Twitter (now X) wrote: "The decision to redevelop the stadium will be announced shortly.
"The entire development of the Shah Alam Stadium Complex, including the Malawati Stadium will be implemented based on the evaluation results of a special committee (put together to look into the redevelopment plan)."
Previously, it was reported that the KSSA would have a capacity of between 35,000 and 45,000 people, with a fixed sky-light roof, removable pitch and ample parking.
Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) managing director Imran Salim on Sept 30 last year during a media briefing said the KSSA would maintain the iconic silhouette of SSA, while at the same time meeting Fifa standards, crucial for international football competitions.
Citing the Christchurch Stadium in New Zealand, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the United Kingdom and State Farm Stadium in Arizona, the United States, KSSA too, he said, would be self-sustaining with its revenue generation and at least 200 calendar events a year.
The complex would boast a removable pitch, allowing a change of events in under 24 hours.
This would facilitate other sporting events like hockey, rugby and concerts.
In its glory days, the 83,000-capacity stadium played host to a plethora of notable sports, tournament and entertainment events, along with being home to 33-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor, nicknamed the Red Giants.
Among the significant events it has hosted include the Bon Jovi concert on May 4, 1995, and the British metal band Deep Purple on May 1, 1999.