Wednesday July 12, 2006
Up to Britain to decide on sports complex
BY ZULKIFLI RAHMAN and EDDIE CHUA
KUALA LUMPUR: Any move to operate a proposed Malaysian sports complex at the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) in Brickendonbury, London, is subject to approval by the British Government.
“It's up to the British authorities to decide whether a sports complex can be set up at the site of a research centre. The building has also been cited as a heritage building by the British Government,” said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.
Chin said the 18ha centre was owned by the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) since 1949.
“The RRI owns the facility. My Ministry will still operate the centre,” he said, adding that he was still discussing the proposed sports complex with Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said.
Chin was commenting on Azalina’s statement in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday that the Government would build the sports centre in Brickendonbury to train Malaysian athletes and facilitate sports technology transfer to Malaysia.
Chin said the location of the RRI centre was chosen due to London’s strategic importance to the development of the Malaysian rubber industry.
However, there was space for a sports complex and facilities, he said.
On Monday, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang had asked whether the sports complex project, estimated at RM490mil, would be stopped so that the money could be used to create new talents and promote local sports.
National Sports Council board member Philip Chan said the ministry was aware of the need for approval from the British authorities before the centre could be set up.
He said the consultant that the council had engaged said that the project could be carried out.
“The consultants said that the two conditions imposed on the institute – being listed as a Grade 2 building and that it was a green lung – were not insurmountable issues.
“As for the cost, we are still at planning stage and the final cost may be less than the figure quoted. What is important is the strategy of getting our athletes immersed in environment overseas,” Chan added.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said that the research centre was chosen because of its excellent location.
Former Board chairman Tan Sri B.C. Sekhar said the TARRC was to conduct research on rubber and rubber related products.
“R&D activities involve highly sensitive equipment and the data generated from the laboratories are confidential. If the area is accessible to a third party, it may compromise the security,” he said.
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