Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said it was a special project to assist the Youth and Sports Ministry under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to encourage the people to practise a healthy lifestyle through sports activities.

“So far nine artificial fields have been completed in Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Shah Alam, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Kuantan, Alor Star, Perlis and Seremban.

“Another three artificial fields are in the process of being built in Kota Bharu, Labuan and Pontian,” he told reporters after visiting the construction site of the artificial football field in Padang Perdana Sports Complex here today.

Mohd Irwan Serigar said the ministry implemented the project in stages and would hand over the artificial football fields to the local authorities in the respective areas for maintenance.

“Each of the artificial field measures about 105 metres by 68 metres and meets the International Football Federation (Fifa) standards with German technology that can last between eight and 10 years,” he said, adding that it was equipped with floodlights and fences and was available for rent.