The not-so-gleaming venue called Pisa

The Penang International Sports Arena, or Pisa, is an air conditioned, indoor sports arena.

Completed in 2000, it is the largest indoor arena in Penang, and in northern Penisula Malaysia.  It was designed to host conventions, exhibitions and entertainment shows.

At the height of its glory, Pisa had proudly hosted the 2000 Sukma games; Disney’s Mickey Magic show and Micheal Learns to Rock performed there not long ago.

There have also been fairs of all kinds: from Pikom and Matta; and on education, home decoration, blissful bridal shows, international line dance carnivals and much more. It was undoubtedly the most impressive venue in the state.

PISA is owned by the Municipal Council of Penang island (Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang, MPPP) and is managed by Penevents Sdn Bhd.

Recently, citizen journalist Lim Boo Seng, checked out PISA and found it to be in a sorry state of affairs.

The water fountain has stopped functioning, the fountain pool is filled with stagnant water, full of sludge, rubbish and a potential haven for mosquitoes

The Penang state government launched the “Cleaner, Greener Penang” initiative last year. It is ironic that a landmark venue such as Pisa has degenerated into a distasteful state.

This does not reflect well on the “Cleaner, Greener Penang” campaign which the state government so aggressively tries to promote.

Video by: Lim Boo Seng