Why splurge millions on a new stadium when the "iconic" Darul Aman stadium in Alor Setar, Kedah, can be upgraded?

That is the question PKR lawmaker Gooi Hsiao Leong wants Kedah menteri besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah to answer.

The Alor Setar MP was speaking to Malaysiakini in response to Ahmad Bashah's recent announcement that the state government is planning to build a new stadium with 60,000-seating capacity outside Alor Setar, as the "old" Darul Aman stadium could no longer accommodate the increasing number of supporters during matches held there.

Ahmad Bashah had said that he had already received proposals from private companies on the construction of the new stadium, which he wants equipped with a commercial area, food court and sports arena to attract investment from private companies. 

"Ahmad Bashah's plan to build a new stadium raises eyebrows.

"The 50,000 capacity Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu was built nine years ago (2008), at a cost of RM270 million. 

"How much will Ahmad Bashah's proposed new stadium cost and how will it be funded? Also, who will eventually profit from it? Gooi asked.

He further questioned whether there were plans to demolish the Darul Aman stadium and then develop the land to enrich "certain BN cronies".

Gooi said the last thing Kedah football fans want to see is the iconic stadium, which is a landmark of Alor Setar, be bulldozed to the ground. 

"It is very disappointing that Ahmad Bashah, who leads the Kedah government and is currently the chairperson of the Kedah Football Association, has been unable to find the money needed to upgrade and maintain Stadium Darul Aman.

“The stadium is currently left in a sad state, requiring urgent and major repairs,” Gooi pointed out.

He then demanded an assurance from the menteri besar that the Darul Aman stadium will be saved.

On another matter, Gooi also questioned why some RM2.8 million of state funds were spent to upgrade the Suka Menanti stadium in Ayer Itam, Kedah, in what he alleged was to prepare for a Bakti programme by Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, between Feb 8 and 12.

This is on top the RM2.5 million spent to manage the event, he claimed.