By Anne Das & Zaki Saleh
Taman Rekreasi Sultan Abdul Aziz (Polo Ground Ipoh), long cherished as one of the city’s most popular recreational spaces, received official attention this week when officers from Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI), together with Councillor Deric Lee and YB Jenny Choy, carried out a site inspection following community concerns.
The inspection was prompted by concerns raised by community advocate Dato’ Poo Tak Kiau and reported to Ipoh Echo. Acting on these complaints, the paper joined the delegation on site to document the walkabout and speak with officials.
Walking across the grounds, the group stopped at several points where problems had been highlighted. From the flooded field to cracked jogging turf, murky pond and uncovered drains, each concern was reviewed and explained by En. Meor Abdullah Zaidi bin Meor Razali, Senior Director of Services at MBI, who answered questions directly during the inspection.
Starting with the field, Mr. Meor explained that the ground had been designed to serve as a water retention area. In times of heavy rainfall, it absorbs water and slowly releases it into surrounding drains, reducing flash floods in nearby neighbourhoods.
While parts of the field remain muddy after rain, he stressed that it is not a hazard to the public. Raising the field to keep it permanently dry would require extensive earthworks and heavy costs, so for now the field will continue to function as intended.
The group then moved to the jogging track, where sections of the turf have become uneven and cracked. Mr. Meor confirmed that returfing is already planned for the next quarter’s budget, noting that this year’s allocation has already been committed.
From the track, the discussion shifted to another concern: the presence of wild boars, which occasionally dig for worms in the cow grass. PERHILITAN has been notified and is monitoring the situation. Fencing, Mr. Meor explained, is not feasible due to repeated vandalism in the past. Instead, natural barriers have been planted along the cemetery edge to reduce the risk of intrusion.
The pond, once the pride of Polo Ground, was also reviewed. It has become murky due to sludge build-up and has suffered from repeated vandalism, including damage to the newly installed motor and pump.
“There are already five CCTVs around the park in working condition, and enforcement will be stepped up. But the long-term solution is to clear the sludge, replace it with clean sand and water, and restart the system,” said Mr. Meor.
YB Jenny Choy said: “I will look at setting aside a budget for Polo Ground in the coming year so that its upkeep and facilities can be further strengthened.
We want to make sure this green lung continues to serve the community well, not only as a space for recreation and relaxation, but also as a safe and inclusive environment that brings people together across generations. I continue to highlight security concerns to PDRM and have requested them to increase patrols in this area, so that residents can enjoy the park with greater peace of mind.
By planning for better maintenance, stronger safety measures, and gradual improvements, Polo Ground can remain a treasured landmark in Ipoh for many years to come.”
Attention then turned to the condition of the trees and the growing number of termite mounds across the park. Many brittle branches have already been cleared, and trimming continues. Extermination of termites is not practical, Mr. Meor explained, as colonies simply move elsewhere within the park.
Instead, MBI is focusing on replacing older ornamental species with stronger ones. With support from UPM and sponsorship from CIMB Bank, 30 new trees of seven different species have already been planted using the Miyawaki method to create a small urban forest within the park.
Lighting and safety were also reviewed. Faulty track lights will be repaired, and deep, uncovered drains along the wall (flagged as dangerous) will be handed to the engineering team to secure and cover. Non-functional exercise machines, meanwhile, are being replaced on an ongoing basis.
Speaking after the walkthrough, Councillor Deric Lee emphasised his role in ensuring community voices are heard. “Residents have been raising these concerns for some time. Bringing MBI officials on site today means the issues are acknowledged directly, and that is the first step toward solutions.”
Dato’ Poo was not present during the inspection. Speaking separately, he said: “Polo Ground belongs to the people of Ipoh, and its condition must be managed with consistency and care. Anything less fails the community that depends on it every day.”
While not every issue can be solved immediately, several items are in progress or planned for Q1 of 2026. Others, such as water retention and termite management, will require longer-term strategies.
Ipoh Echo will continue to follow up on the progress of these commitments and update readers as improvements are carried out at Polo Ground.
To report hazards at Polo Ground (or anywhere in Ipoh):
📷 Take a photo of the issue
⬆️ Upload via MBI’s Aduan Online system or
📞 Call 05-2083333 during office hours
🌿 Ask to be connected to the Landscape Department for park-related issues.
