Perak Stadium - Profile

Profile

Before the stadium was built, the site for the stadium is formerly used as a prison from 1949 to 1959, known as Detention Camp to incarcerate communists during Malayan Emergency period (Darurat in Malay).

The construction of the stadium started in January 1964 and completed by June 1965. Initially it only hold maximum capacity of 10,000. Two following renovation increased the stadium capacity - 1975 (18,000) and 1993 (30,000).

The stadium was further upgraded in 1997. for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. It was further renovated in 1999 at a cost of RM 1,949,000 by the Perak state government. It was put under the administration of the Ipoh City Council, which oversees the general upkeep of the stadium until this day.

Since the last refurbishment in 1997, the capacity of the stadium is 42,500 and it boasts a press box and a VIP-area which is normally used by the Sultan of Perak. The stadium features a FIFA standard football pitch and an IAAF-certified synthetic running track. The stadium also has monochromatic video matrix scoreboard.

The stadium has two types of seating, which is grandstand seating and normal seating. Only those seating in the grandstand are sheltered from the elements of nature.

The stadium has a notoriously problematic flood light system. There are four flood light towers surrounding the stadium and about 50% fail to light up when it is needed. Poor pitch conditions are also a norm at this stadium and coaches are known to have publicly voiced their discontent over this issue.

However, the issue was settled comprehensively and the light towers are upgraded to international football standard. On 7 May 2013, Perak FA defeated Negeri Sembilan FA 2-1 in a Malaysian Super League match in the first sporting event after the stadium flood lights upgrading.