SHAH ALAM – The allowance rate for volunteers at the Formula One (F1) event at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit has sparked debate after a social media post recently went viral, claiming the payment remains at RM60 a day, the same rate offered back in 2017.
According to a Threads user, the rate should be re-evaluated to at least RM120 per day, considering the global stature of the event.
"Isn’t this volunteer rate from nine years ago? Don't embarrass us in front of Bahrain if we're still paying RM60 a day, it should be at least RM120 a day.
"Volunteers are human too, this is lower than the Score Marathon, you know. Imagine volunteering only to end up managing the parking lot," the user wrote.
The post triggered mixed reactions among netizens. Some argued that RM60 per day is no longer practical, pointing out that allowance rates for other major tournaments easily exceed RM100 daily.
However, others expressed that they did not mind the payout, as the role offers them the chance to watch the F1 race for free.
Earlier, the Petronas Sepang International Circuit opened volunteer applications on its official website in preparation for Malaysia hosting the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled to take place from Oct 2 to 4.
Besides the allowance, other perks on offer include meals throughout the duty period and a rare chance to gain behind-the-scenes experience at a world-class motorsport event.
Sepang International Circuit (SIC) previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix for 19 years from 1999 until 2017, before the track was dropped from the F1 calendar.