IPOH – The Perak government is awaiting a full report from relevant parties, including the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) and the sports commissioner, to find out if the organisers have approval following the fatal accident involving a spectator hit by a race car at the Dato’ Sagor Circuit, Kg Gajah, on Saturday.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said that motor racing has a high risk of accidents and should have strict safety standard operating procedures.
“If the organisers have permission from the sports commissioner, among the things that need to be complied with for sports event applications is that the organisers must be a valid or registered body. They also need confirmation of support from the sport’s governing body.
“The responsible sports body is MAM. Hence, tournaments need confirmation, among other things, of support from MAM, the owner of the location, permits from enforcement agencies, and insurance for the participants.
“If they have legal permission, it can certainly prevent any potential accidents from happening,” he said at a press conference after presenting an incentive to the Para SUKMA XX team here today.
Saarani also stressed that unauthorised individuals such as technicians and marshals should not be in areas such as race tracks, because it is risky and may cause untoward incidents.
At 3.30pm on December 31, spectator Muhammad Amir Mohd Yusoff, 32, died after being hit by a car while watching the CCT Battle of Champions race at Dato’ Sagor Circuit in Kg Gajah.
The incident is believed to have occurred when two cars came into contact, diverting one car off the track towards a group of people standing in an open area just next to it. One was injured fatally.
Meanwhile, in another development, Saarani said that the alleged clearing of more than 200ha of land in the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve was located outside the reserve, based on a comprehensive inspection by the Kuala Kangsar Forest Office’s special action unit team.
“Based on the reading of the coordinates, it is actually located outside the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve. The area was probably cleared for agricultural activities.
“The distance between the said area and the outer boundary of the Kledang Saiong Forest Reserve is approximately 1.5km. The complaints are unfounded, and the Kuala Kangsar Forest Office will continue to monitor as usual,” he said. – Bernama, January 5, 2023
