MBSA came under fire for releasing an invasive fish species into Tasik Bandaraya Shah Alam in October.
SELANGOR’S capital city of Shah Alam welcomed its 12th mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim in June.
The administration of the city under Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) had been smooth sailing for most of the year.
As 2024 draws to a close, StarMetro checks out some events that shaped the city this year.
Shah Alam Stadium, which used to be the venue for football matches among other sports events and concerts, is now being demolished to make way for a new sports complex.
New stadium
The demolition of Shah Alam Stadium, to make way for the highly anticipated Shah Alam Sports Complex (SASC), is well underway and expected to be completed by June 2025.
With a projected completion date of 2027, the SASC promises to be a state-of-the-art sporting facility.
Development plans for the RM3.28bil SASC were in the final stages. It was reported that the process to demolish the stadium would cost between RM30mil and RM50mil. The entire SASC project on a 69.53ha area will involve Shah Alam Stadium, Malawati Stadium and the surrounding areas.
Mohd Fauzi taking his oath as Shah Alam’s 12th mayor.
Fishy act
MBSA faced criticism for releasing the invasive sutchi catfish (ikan patin asing) into Tasik Bandaraya Shah Alam. While MBSA defended the act, it sparked discussions on social media about responsible environmental practices.
Also known by its scientific name Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, the fish is an invasive species originating from the Mekong river basin.
When MBSA posted the event on its Facebook page, it drew much public criticism.
While the Selangor Fisheries Department expressed regret over the incident, MBSA explained that it released the fish for the Shah Alam Fishing Competition 2024 held on Oct 27. Moving forward, MBSA stated it would consult with the Fisheries Department to ensure only permitted species would be released.
Cats relax in the play area at Catopia.
Cat house
Shah Alam continued to be at the forefront of innovation with the opening of Catopia, the first public cat park built by a local authority in Malaysia. This initiative caters to the growing number of cat owners in the city.
Two traps were set up at Tasik Seksyen 7, Shah Alam, in five water channels to capture the saltwater crocodile.
Public safety
A crocodile sighting at Tasik Seksyen 7 caused temporary closure of the area for public safety. The 1.68m-long saltwater crocodile was successfully captured, allowing the park to reopen in September.
On Oct 9, a Russian woman found sitting in the middle of a road with her dog in Setia Alam captured public attention. Her arrest went viral on social media.
