A PAS MP has questioned the government’s decision to allow 26 concerts to be held at the national hockey stadium in Bukit Jalil next year, asking if the facility has deviated from its original purpose as a venue for sports and hockey-related activities.
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat when debating the Supply Bill 2025, Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan said misusing facilities for unrelated entertainment highlights the government’s neglect of its priorities.
“Won’t the high frequency of such concerts disrupt training schedules and competitions at the stadium? I want to remind (the government) not to sacrifice the local hockey teams’ performance and reputation for such matters.
“Misusing facilities for purposes unrelated to the sport highlights the government’s neglect of its priorities.
I urge the government to reassess this policy to return these sports facilities to their original purpose while prioritising sports activities and the development of national athletes.”
Muhammad Fawwaz was responding to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh’s announcement on Nov 5 that the national hockey stadium had received 26 bookings for concerts next year.
She also said that as of October this year, non-sports event revenue is four times higher than that of sporting events.
“For this year alone, up to October, RM2.147 mil in venue rental revenue has been recorded from 26 sports events held at Kuala Lumpur Sports City (KLSC).
“Meanwhile, during the same period, 54 non-sporting events were held, generating RM8.5 mil in venue rental revenue – four times more,” she was reported as saying, adding that the total of RM10.64 mil in revenue this year is the highest ever recorded by KLSC. – Nov 27, 2024
