‘Keep sports facility open until 10pm’

Office workers want Klang council to revise stadium’s operating hours for better accessibility

Several office workers are urging the authorities to extend the operating hours of Stadium Sultan Suleiman in Jalan Padang, Klang until 10pm, allowing them to utilize the sports facility after work. Many of these workers emphasized that the current closing time of 7pm denies them the opportunity to engage in exercise activities on the track. Yeap Peik Wen, a corporate finance manager aged 32, stressed the importance of considering the accessibility of sports facilities when promoting an active lifestyle. She stated that office workers who finish work at 6.30pm or 7pm are unable to utilize the well-designed track and suggested that the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) should consider extending the operating hours until 10pm.

In the evenings, the stadium is packed with locals walking or jogging on the new track.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, MPK operated the sports facility until 10pm. However, it was closed for a period of time during the peak of the pandemic and when it reopened, the opening hours were shortened. A notice at the main entrance currently states that the stadium operates from 6.30am to 10.30am and from 4pm to 7pm, including public holidays from Monday to Sunday. Adriana Md. Adnan, a 39-year-old legal clerk, mentioned that the stadium used to be open until 10pm, but now office workers who finish work at 6pm have limited time to use the track.

Yeap, 32, says office workers who finish work at 6.30pm or 7pm are unable to use the well-designed track.

Adriana suggested that MPK should consider extending the operating hours and also assigning two enforcement officers, one male and one female, to patrol the stadium for the safety of all users. She also proposed the installation of an automated external defibrillator for cardiac emergencies. Meanwhile, Suguneswari Sangurdan, a 48-year-old credit control officer, also supported the revision of stadium operating hours to promote better health for everyone. Razlien Hisham, a 27-year-old beverage trader, mentioned that longer opening hours would enable him to spend more time exercising outdoors.

Adriana says MPK should station two enforcement officers to patrol the stadium.

Zainuddin Abdullah, a 55-year-old businessman, highlighted that a physically active lifestyle would enhance employee productivity and provide positive financial returns for employers. He emphasized that MPK should extend the operating hours until 10pm as the refurbishment of the sports facility, costing RM4.56mil, was funded by taxpayers and the public deserves to benefit from such amenities. The renovation, which lasted for 18 months starting from June 2018, included the installation of an eight-lane 400m synthetic track and a new grass pitch, along with upgrades to the drainage system and an increased seating capacity of the mini grandstand to accommodate 1,000 people.

MPK President Noraini Roslan welcomed people’s feedback to enhance community wellness but mentioned that the council would need to assess the financial implications before making any decisions.