LETTER | Yeoh - pitch perfect no more

LETTER | Alright, let's get honest about the mess at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil. Post-Coldplay concert, the pitch isn't just in bad shape; it's a complete disaster.

This situation has thrown the Youth and Sports Ministry into fire. We're talking about a massive failure, not just a minor slip-up. How can a key national sports venue be left to crumble like this? It's utterly unacceptable.

Tengku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the force behind Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club (JDT), is upset. He didn't just make a statement about the poor state of the pitch; he showed it to everyone. This makes his earlier commendations in ‘Keluar Sekejap’ for Hannah Yeoh seem ironic in light of the current chaos at the stadium.

The teams, JDT and Terengganu FC prepping for the Malaysia Cup final, face a practically insulting pitch. This isn’t a minor inconvenience; it’s a slap in the face to the players and their fans. The state of the pitch is a glaring indication of the ministry’s neglect in maintaining basic standards.

Adding to the drama, the Malaysia Stadium Corporation issued an apology, but let's face it, it feels like a case of too little, too late. This apology underscores a severe lack of foresight and proactive management regarding the stadium.

Looking back at the match against India, it's clear that the early warning signs were there but blatantly ignored. Now, with the upcoming match against Oman, we're staring at the possibility of national and even international embarrassment. This goes way beyond just the condition of the turf; it’s about maintaining our standing in the global sports community.

The public's reaction is one of anger and frustration, and rightly so. This goes beyond mere disappointment. A significant shake-up in how things are managed is necessary. As for Yeoh’s role in this? It's getting harder to justify her staying on. If she can’t deliver, perhaps it’s time for her to consider stepping down.

This mess at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil isn’t just about patching up a field; it’s about restoring trust in our sports administration. We’re done with half-hearted solutions and excuses. What we need are leaders who truly understand their role and are committed to upholding high sports standards.

To sum up, the stadium situation indicates more significant issues in management and strategic planning. Immediate and decisive action is needed - potentially even a change at the top - to bring back honour and respect to our nation's sports. It's urgent, and it needs to happen now. This isn’t just for the sake of a game; it’s about the legacy and pride of our national sports.

MAHATHIR MOHD RAIS is the Perikatan Nasional Federal Territories information chief.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.