Johor bahru: The Johor State Government today denied allegations claiming that the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium (SSI) does not belong to the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) football club. Johor Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, and Cooperatives Committee Chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah stated that the allegations posted on platform X by an individual were untrue and have the potential to mislead the public.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Hairi emphasized that SSI is the property of the club, which is under the patronage and consent of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ), as the club owner. He strongly refuted the claims, labeling them as untrue, baseless, and speculative, urging for such misinformation to cease to prevent misleading the people of Johor.
He further explained that the construction of the stadium was part of Tunku Mahkota Ismail's strategic vision to develop a world-class sports ecosystem in the state. The JDT club functions as a professional entity that manages and develops the team, including technical aspects, player performance, talent development, and overall club management.
To maintain a structured and professional approach to the stadium's governance, Tunku Ismail has assigned the Johor State Stadium Corporation (PSNJ) with responsibilities such as regulating the stadium's daily operations. PSNJ is also tasked with periodic maintenance and managing security, facilities, logistics, and event organization.
Mohd Hairi highlighted that this management model allows for a clear and effective separation of roles, where JDT focuses on team performance while PSNJ oversees stadium management and maintenance. He noted that this approach aligns with best practices of elite global clubs and plays a crucial role in JDT's ongoing success at national and international levels.
He called on all parties, especially writers and social media influencers, to act responsibly by verifying facts before making statements that could impact the reputation of the state's sports institutions and Johor's leadership. The state government remains dedicated to ensuring that SSI continues to be managed professionally and with integrity, serving as a source of pride for the people and a symbol of the state's sporting excellence.