LAWAS: Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin wants the Lawas District Council to ensure proper maintenance of Lawas Indoor stadium and refrain from imposing exorbitant charges on locals for the usage of the stadium and outdoor sports complex facilities.
He said this during his working visit to the stadium, noting that the council must be pragmatic as too high a charge could result in the creation of a white elephant and defeat the purpose of the government building these facilities.
“Fees are charged for the purpose of maintenance but it should not be unaffordable,” Lee said. Accompanied by ministry official Sebastian Sujang and local councillors, Lee said the fencing, car park and repairs to the tennis court and indoor stadium would be given attention.
He said after the government had spent millions of ringgit providing these facilities, including the outdoor sports complex, they were handed over to the council in July this year but the facilities have suffered from the lack of maintenance.
Lee was specifically referring to the tall grass at the football pitch and the damaged tennis court surface, saying they should be tackled immediately.
The assistant minister said he wants the relevant authorities to redress the problems speedily, saying it should be tackled before the next general election as poor maintenance of projects delivered could jeopardise the good image of the government and elected representatives.
Lee later held a close-door meeting with SUPP members as part of the party’s revival drive, starting from the grassroots.