Shah Alam Stadium, one of the largest sports facilities in Malaysia, was demolished yesterday due to security concerns. The stadium, which opened in 1994 and is notable for its capacity of 80,372, shocked onlookers at the moment of its demolition. Stadium Director Azmi Rahman stated, "In inspections conducted in 2020, it was determined that the structure was no longer safe. This decision was made after long discussions." Over the years, Shah Alam had hosted not only football matches but also major concerts. While Premier League giants like Arsenal and Chelsea played matches here, world-famous bands like Bon Jovi and Maroon 5 held concerts. Following the demolition, the Malaysian Ministry of Sports announced a new stadium project. Ministry spokesperson Lim Chee Wah said, "The new stadium, which is planned to be completed by 2029, will be equipped with modern technologies. It will feature a movable roof and a special event mode." However, it was noted that the new stadium would have a smaller capacity of 35,000-45,000. This situation disappointed some fans. Local fan group leader Ahmad Faizal commented, "It may not be sufficient for big matches. However, safety is more important than anything else." Authorities announced that the demolition process would be completed by the end of the year and preparations for the new project would begin.
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