KUALA LUMPUR – In an effort to ensure the safety of motorsports activities in the country, the Youth and Sports Ministry together with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) are tightening the rules and processes for organisers obtaining the license or permit.
This comes after the tragic incident that happened during the CCT Battle of Champions at the Dato Sagor Circuit in Pasir Salak earlier this month.
In the incident, a spectator was hit and killed by a race car that lost control during the race.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said relevant parties have discussed the steps needed to be taken moving forward in order to avoid such incidents from happening.
“There are 22 race tracks in the country that are managed by the ministry, private owners, and also non-governmental organisations.
“We have asked MAM to inspect these tracks and make sure it adheres to the safety standards accordingly.
“We want event organisers to have their events at circuits that have already been approved by the MAM,” she said at a motorsports event at the Speedway PLUS Karting Circuit, Subang Jaya today.
The Segambut MP added that event organisers must apply for an organising license through the Sports Commissioner and display the license during the event.
“This is the first step we are taking,” she said.
For local events, the organise will need to apply for the license from the Sports Commissioner within 30 days before the event date, while for international events it will be 90 days before the event date.
“This is not something that is new as it has always been a requirement but organisers have ignored this,” she said.
Although Yeoh did not comment on the incident in Pasir Salak as police investigations are still ongoing, she said that these steps are taken to reduce the risk in motorsports events.
Yeoh also said that this step was not meant to punish any parties, but there should not be any compromise when it comes to safety.
“We know that motorsports are high-risk. But we also want to reduce the risk as much as we can.
“We are not here to blacklist everybody but to help facilitate in making sure that things are safe for everyone involved.
Meanwhile, Yeoh said that action would be taken against organisers who have misused the ministry’s logo.
“Previously there have been parties that use the logo but failed to get permission or approval from the ministry.
List of motorsports circuits around Malaysia deemed safe for yearly races by MAM:
Sepang International Circuit (SIC), Selangor
Sepang Kart Circuit, Selangor
Morac Adventure Track, Pantai Cenang, Kedah
City Karting Shah Alam Circuit, Selangor
Circuits that have gotten MAM’s approval:
Speedway Plus Circuit, Subang Jaya, Selangor
Kuala Selangor Public Racetrack, Selangor
Tangkak Racing Track, Gerisek, Johor
Melaka International Motorsport Circuit MIMC, Durain Tunggal, Melaka
Unimap Racing Circuit, Arau, Perlis
UUM Go-Kart Circuit in Sintok, Kedah
Terengganu Motorsports Circuit, Gong Badak, Terengganu
Miri Track PermyJaya, Sarawak
APDCREW Circuit MAEPS, Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Alyezo SpeedZone, Shah Alam, Selangor
Jempol Drag Strip, Mukim, Negri Sembilan – The Vibes, January 27, 2023
