RM20 million drag racing circuits budget allocation was never debated or approved in Parliament – KBS

RM20 million drag racing circuits budget allocation was never debated or approved in Parliament – KBS

In response to a statement by former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the youth and sports ministry (KBS) has stated that the RM20 million budget allocation for the construction of drag racing tracks as part of the first tabling of Budget 2023 was never debated or approved in Parliament.

The ministry added that the allocated was never channelled to the youth and sports ministry as Sabri, then-prime minister, had dissolved Parliament after the budget had been tabled. After Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was appointed the 10th prime minister of Malaysia, the tabling of the revised Budget 2023 did not include the allocation for drag racing tracks in the original 2023 budget.

“In addition, the budget was announced without receiving data and feedback from KBS. RM20 million is insufficient for the construction of a drag racing track in every state,” the ministry said in its statement.

“[The Youth and Sports Ministry] is very concerned about the people’s safety and does not want to build a track for the sake of just getting it done. There is no doubt that it is a good platform for youth to take part in motorsport, but the safety of racers, spectators and all involved must be given priority,” the ministry’s statement continued.

The ministry remains proactive in finding ways to ensure that motorsports events can continue to be held in controlled and safe environments, despite the current financial constraints which prevent the construction of new racing circuits, it added.

Existing motorsports facilities under the ministry cited in the statement that will benefit from projects for upgrading and improvement include the Sepang International Circuit as well as the Tangkak circuit in Tangkak, Johor.

Safety in motorsport came under the spotlight when loss of life occurred at the turn of the new year at the Dato’ Sagor Circuit in Pasir Salak, Perak, when a competitor’s race car left the circuit and hit a spectator standing on the infield, killing him. An investigation by the Perak state government followed.

Another racing incident before that at the Battle of the Kings (BOTK) 2022 drag racing event in October also claimed a life, with a racer succumbing to his injuries as a result of having lost control of his car on the drag strip and colliding with a tree, underlining the importance of motorsports events being approved and sanctioned by the governing body, with proper safety measures in place.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • 4GR-FSE on May 29, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    Reducing illegal street racing and mat rempit incident is through education and enforcement.
    There is no evidence to suggest that by building drag racing circuit will reduce illegal street racing.
    Even if these circuits are built, they will not be run for free. Our beloved mat rempit will still storm the street.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2
    • Ajibkor on May 29, 2023 at 5:58 pm

      Correct. such a low level Jaguh kampung mindset.. versus World class competitiveness.

      But whaddya expect from our PN Pas leaders & also sapoters.. 33months too longgg. LOL!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
      • Angry Voters on May 30, 2023 at 11:48 am

        Of course not. It was not Sabrikor that push for dragstrip as it was Zahidkor idea, so since Sabrikor is out but Zahidkor is still in of course PN will demand him to fulfill his promise. That natural and expected of reasonable, thinking rakyats. Only those zombies without brains will have no expectations but condemn others.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
        • Actually these mat rempits & pelumba haram are behaving like zombies without brains.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
          • Dredd on May 31, 2023 at 3:18 pm

            They don’t intentionally kill people like Sam did and this murderer is now free on the road!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
          • Tell that to a real judge.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Civic Turbo 2018 on May 29, 2023 at 6:12 pm

      What happens to LowYat-2 now?
      Hope that would’ve reducing crimes

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
    • Can I advice u something..from Fat Mama on May 29, 2023 at 8:30 pm

      The turtle dude’s argument is so simplistic n naive.
      So,got rempits..build those circuits
      So,got prostitutes…build more “whore houses”.
      So,got dadah addicts,build special centres for them to get high ? What madness is this?
      Look at what happened when Lowyatt 2.0 was activated.
      So many traders got burnt n bankrupted at those rent free premises.
      Just pathetic a leader can stoop so low to propose a moneypit.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • 4.7L V8 SUV on May 29, 2023 at 8:37 pm

      I don’t blame you for your inability to comprehend what you read. Let me help you. There’s no mention of reducing illegal street race. It’s to further improve the safety of existing legal race tracks, and adding more racing tracks for enthusiasts. It’s for safety of those who already channel their enthusiasm at a correct place.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
      • 4GR-FSE on May 29, 2023 at 9:57 pm

        If you have known the history of the whole issue, you would know who started this “circuit in every state” brilliant idea to please certain group of ppl.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • RM20mil for mat rempits for what? If they got so much energy and got nothing to do, ask them to clean up their deplorable flats first. Try to be a useful for once.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
 

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