Loopholes in Ministry exploited to fatal consequences, MAM want it to end
ARNAZ M. KHAIRUL25 Jan 2023 03:10pm
Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) chairman Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir
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Emboldened by support letters from the Youth and Sports Ministry, which subsequently gains them approvals from the Sports Commissioner's Office, the organisers then get the required permits to organise such events from the police, who unwittingly provide permits based on the go-ahead given by the relevant Ministry.
Police sources reveal that due to approvals from the Ministry, the respective police stations were obliged to provide the permits as the requirements in terms of approvals from the relevant authorities had been met.
This negates sanctioning by the MAM, which would come at a cost since safety requirements in terms of infrastructure such as barricades, sandbags and restrictions on potential hazards; licencing of participants and insurance.
Hence, there is a total disregard for safety of participants, spectators and the public, in order to save costs and maximise profits, while such events were attractive to naive participants who have been attracted due to the low cost of entering such events.
MAM chairman Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir agreed that the loophole was being exploited by some organisers but remedial action is in the midst of being formulated.
"Yes, there is a loophole between the police and authorities - the Youth and Sports Ministry and Sports Commissioner's Office. This was discussed in a meeting last week where all stakeholders were present, including MAM," said Mokhzani.
He added that a committee is being formed under Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to amend laws aimed at curbing such incidents, and that all issues will be highlighted in an event at the PLUS Speedway in USJ, Subang Jaya on Friday.
There has been a prevalance of fatal incidents at unsanctioned motorsports events in recent years, the most recent being the death of a spectator at the Dato Sagor Circuit on New Year's Eve after he was run over by an out-of-control vehicle while standing in an unprotected and unrestricted area.
Prior to that, in October a driver was killed in the Battle of The Kings (BOTK) drag race event at the Gong Badak Track in Kuala Terengganu after his car hit a tree in the run-off area.
The motorsports community had at that time raised questions over whether the Youth and Sports Ministry had supported that unsanctioned event as their logo appeared on event banners.
Federal Territory Motorsports Association president Shahrol Yuzy Ahmad Zaini had exposed the fact that these events had been legitimised through political connections and were even supported by the Ministry, while police had issued permits.
Former British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) driver Fariqe Hairuman had called for the police to stop issuing permits for motorsports events that were not sanctioned by MAM as they lacked even minimal safety requirements, which have resulted in fatalities. He called for synergy between the government agencies, the police and MAM in order for motorsports to be developed in a safe manner.
