From glory to decay for Shah Alam stadium
Stadium Shah Alam was once the country's biggest stadium but now languishes in a state of disrepair.
Photographs by Syahrin Abdul Aziz
An aerial view of Stadium Shah Alam in Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor. Originally meant to be the official home of Selangor's football club the Red Giants, it is now in a state of disrepair due to a lack of maintenance.
Construction of the stadium began in January 1990, with its official opening four years later. It was Malaysia's biggest stadium before the completion of Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil in 1998.
It comprises six levels of semi-enclosed spaces, and its frame structure is said to be the longest free-standing arc in the world – although its glory days appear to be over now.
A closer look at the pitch, which has yellowed from a lack of use and maintenance, and the seats in the stands which can accommodate over 80,000 viewers.
The main entrance of the stadium, where VVIPs were once dropped off for events and matches.
The view from the stands, where spectators once thronged to watch football games, athletics events, and concerts.
The sun sends a few rays over the pitch and colourful seats which have long stood empty.
Inside, gaps yawn in the stadium's polycarbonate roof.
More cracks and broken panels line the edge of the roof.
A close-up view of some of the wear and tear inflicted on the stadium by its long years of disuse.
Where cheers used to resound, only a rusty goalpost now faces the blank scoreboard.
A view from the inside of the main entrance and the VVIP seats at Stadium Shah Alam.
The damage to the roof is plain to see from above.
Inside, the toilet facilities are still in good shape despite the general sense of decay nearly everywhere else.
Paint peels off the walls at one of the entrances to the stands.
The lack of maintenance has taken its toll on even the plastic of the seats.
Shards of polycarbonate from the roof lie in a heap beside bags of rubbish waiting to be thrown out.
More of the sky is seen through the holes in the roof.
The blank scoreboard stands in stark contrast to the bright blue sky behind.
Some recreational activities are still held in the stadium area, although it is by and large deserted.
The ticket kiosks are locked up and abandoned.
A bird flies overhead – about the only sign of life in the vicinity.
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