Stadium In Dire Need Of Revamp

IN POOR CONDITION: The rusty gates that pose a danger to the public.

(Inset) The exterior of Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Muar.

New Straits Times, Tuesday, July 22, 2008
By Zalifah Mohd Yatim

THE Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Muar has lost its appeal as a location for sports events and training activities.

It used to be a centre for sports championships, especially inter-school competitions at district and state levels, organised by the Schools Sports Council. The stadium was also the training ground for local athletes who represented their schools, district or state.But that was in the past. The stadium is now deserted and no one is interested in using it anymore, due to its dilapidated condition and ill-managed facilities.

The track, for one, has been in damaged condition since a big-wheel motor parade was organised several years ago. Despite rumours that an allocation of funds to restore the stadium to its previous glory was available, hardly any sign of improvement has taken place.

Fifty-year-old resident Azmi Khalid said the stadium was once a favourite place for the community to do their workout. However, he said the place was now quiet as the facilities could no longer be utilised properly.

"I believe it requires a substantial amount of funds to fix the facilities. But something must be done to prevent it from rotting."

Another resident, Norhayati Enjah, 43, said the stadium's use was no longer endorsed, unlike her school days when many sporting and other events were held there.

She said repairs that were not carried out on time had resulted in rising maintenance costs, and that the outdated amenities were no longer suitable for athletes' training.

Bank officer Tono Hassan shared the view that the stadium facilities needed upgrading. He also supported the idea that more activities should be organised at the stadium once it is fixed.

"Rather than leaving it to ruin, we might as well repair it. We don't want another wasted project around."

REGARDING THE ABOVE, THE JOHOR STATE ASSEMBLYMAN FOR BENTAYAN CONSTITUENCY HAD RAISED THE ABOVE MATTER DURING THE RECENTLY JOHOR STATE ASSEMBLY MEETING WHICH HELD FROM 19 JUNE 2008 TO 4 JULY 2008.

SOALAN-SOALAN BERTULIS DI PERSIDANGAN DEWAN NEGERI JOHOR MULAI PADA 19 JUN 2008-4 JULAI 2008 YANG DISOAL OLEH Y.B. ENCIK GWEE TONG HIANG (AHLI DEWAN NEGERI, KAWASAN BENTAYAN).

SOALAN 27 (A67)

a.

Sungguhpun Bandar Muar telah dinaikkan taraf perbandaran pada 14 April 2001 daripada Majlis Daerah Muar Selatan kepada Majlis Perbandaran Muar, tetapi nampaknya fasilitikemudahan awam seperti yang berikut yang disediakan oleh pihak MPM kepada orang awam adalah bertambah buruk dan langsung tidak boleh diguna pakai oleh orang awam:

(iii).

Trek Larian Stadium Muar.

JAWAPAN DARIPADA YB DATUK HAJI AHMAD ZAHRI BIN JAMIL

iii).

Majlis Perbandaran Muar (MPM) telah mengemukakan permohonan cadangan kerja-kerja membaik pulih dan menaik taraf kemudahan Stadium Sultan Ibrahim termasuk trek larian kepada Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (KBS). Anggaran kos pembaikan yang diperlukan bagi tujuan tersebut adalah berjumlah RM3 juta. Secara dasarnya Kementerian Belia dan Sukan telah bersetuju dengan cadangan Majlis Perbandaran Muar (MPM).

Kementerian Belia dan Sukan telah pun menyelesaikan proses rundingan harga pada 15 Mei 2008 dan laporan tersebut telah pun dikemukakan kepada Kementerian Kewangan Malaysia untuk memuktamadkan harga dan seterusnya kelulusan.