A RM24 million upgrade project at the national stadium in Bukit Jalil has come under renewed scrutiny after a contractor lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The complaint centres on two tenders linked to preparations for the 2027 SEA Games. The tenders involve a new running track and a protective flooring system used during concerts and large-scale events.
The contractor filed the report at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Tuesday.
Questions raised over track system selection
One of the main concerns highlighted in the complaint involves the selection of China’s JRace prefabricated track system.
According to the complainant, several international brands participated in the tender process, including systems used at Olympic and world-level competitions.
The complaint stated that shortlisted bids were reportedly priced within a similar range of between RM14 million and RM15 million.
It questioned why the JRace system was selected despite the availability of other established systems at comparable prices.
The report also raised concerns over how evaluators assessed factors such as durability, competition history and long-term value.
World Athletics records showed that JRace currently has only one certified 2025 Class 1 facility, located at the Beiyuan Track and Field Stadium in Chongqing, China.
The complainant called on MACC to determine whether the evaluation process complied with proper procurement standards.
Concerns over protective flooring tender
A second complaint focused on the tender involving the stadium’s protective flooring system, which is used to safeguard the running track during high-impact events.
The contractor alleged that bidders were not required to conduct live demonstrations, while no product testing or technical presentations were carried out during the evaluation process.
The complaint also claimed that a higher-priced bid was awarded the contract despite lower-priced bidders submitting complete technical documentation.
It further raised concerns about possible bias during the evaluation process and urged MACC to investigate the tender award decision.
PSM defends procurement process
In response to earlier queries from FMT, the Malaysia Stadium Corporation (PSM) said the tenders were conducted in accordance with government procurement procedures.
PSM said the existing running track, installed before the 2017 SEA Games, had reached the end of its service life due to ageing and wear.
The corporation added that an open tender process was used, with both technical and financial considerations taken into account during evaluations.
PSM also stated that the selected JRace system fulfilled World Athletics Class 1 standards.
However, the corporation did not directly address several issues raised by industry observers.
Among the unanswered questions were whether bidders had conducted live presentations and whether evaluators visited stadiums currently using the proposed systems.
Questions also remained over whether independent experts participated in the evaluation process and whether comparative testing was conducted for the protective flooring system.
The national stadium remains a key venue in Malaysia’s preparations for the 2027 SEA Games.
It regularly hosts athletics events, football matches and major public gatherings throughout the year.
Industry observers said the quality of stadium surfaces directly affects athlete safety, maintenance costs and long-term venue performance.
They added that major public infrastructure projects should strike a balance between cost, durability and international sporting standards.
