KUALA LUMPUR – The Youth and Sports Ministry has implemented a short-term moratorium to prevent the installation of stage structures for concerts on the Bukit Jalil National Stadium pitch until it reaches an optimal level.
Malaysia Stadium Corp, in a statement, said the decision for the moratorium was made by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh after assessing the Zeon Zoysia pitch’s condition following the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifier between Malaysia and Oman on March 26.
“A post-mortem meeting was conducted on April 1, chaired by AFC general-secretary Datuk Windsor Paul John, who is also a Stadium Corp board member.
“This decision was communicated to concert organisers during a dialogue session between the minister and the organisers yesterday. The dialogue also discussed steps Stadium Corp can take to enhance facilities further.
“Organisers can still make reservations, but they are prohibited from placing any stage structures and sound towers on the field. This measure aims to preserve the Bukit Jalil National Stadium’s grass and ensure it is in optimal condition for upcoming football matches,” read the statement.
Previously, Scoop reported that then Stadium Corp chief Mohd Faidz Sanusi anticipated damage to the stadium’s pitch following the Coldplay concert in November last year.
Faidz clarified that the damage was not as severe as during the Pestabola Merdeka semi-final between Malaysia and India in October.
He attributed the damage to specific areas where heavy delay towers were positioned for the concert’s sound system.
Earlier, Stadium Corp confirmed that a concert by popular Indian film composer Harris Jayaraj, scheduled for May 25 at the stadium, would not use the pitch and would only be limited to the track area.
The pitch will host the “Battle of the Reds” football match between Manchester United and Liverpool Legends on April 27 and will not be used until Malaysia’s next 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei on June 11.
The “Battle of the Reds” is expected to feature several former players of the two English giants, including Mikael Silvestre, Wes Brown, Emile Heskey, Luis Garcia and others. – April 6, 2024