KUALA LUMPUR: Concerts at the National Hockey Stadium will only be allowed if they do not clash with hockey events, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said.
The National Hockey Stadium has hosted concerts three times this year, with two more scheduled before the end of the year, she said.
"So far, there has been no damage to the surface of the National Hockey Stadium because the Malaysia Stadium Corporation has developed standard operating procedures in collaboration with the hockey turf supplier," she said in winding up the debate on behalf of the ministry.
Hannah said any bookings must comply with these strict SOPs, such as covering the turf with a cover recommended by the original turf supplier to support the weight.
Meanwhile, Hannah said the usage ratio for the Hockey Stadium is 60:40, with 60 per cent allocated for sports and 40 per cent for non-sport events.
"The National Hockey Stadium has two hockey pitches, with pitch 2 dedicated to the national hockey team for training purposes," she said.
"As for pitch 1 or the main pitch priority is always given to hosting international and national-level hockey events."
Earlier, during the debate on the 2025 Supply Bill for the ministry, an opposition MP from Pas, Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, expressed concerns about the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil being used to host concerts.
Fawwaz questioned whether the venue's primary purpose as a site for sports and hockey-related activities was starting to deviate.
Fawwaz also asked whether these concerts would interfere with training schedules and competitions at the stadium.