KUALA LUMPUR — Pas MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamed Jan has shifted the party’s familiar objections from concerts to sporting events, questioning the Youth and Sports Ministry’s stance on the use of scantily clad women at government-linked motorsport events.
This represents a shift from PAS’s typical stance of opposing international music performances.
The party has repeatedly objected to foreign performances, branding them as promoting “hedonism” and “immorality.” In 2008, PAS protested against Avril Lavigne’s concert, citing her dance moves as too provocative, and in 2009, backlash from the party contributed to Beyoncé’s show being scrapped.
More recently, PAS leaders called for the cancellation of Coldplay’s 2023 concert and Bollywood’s ‘Stars on Fire’ event in 2024, continuing their long-standing interference in Malaysia’s entertainment scene.
Now, Fawwaz has turned his attention to motorsports, raising concerns over the presence of grid girls at events like MotoGP.
However, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, in a written reply to the Permatang Pauh MP, clarified that grid girls are hired by event organisers—not the government or the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
“The Ministry acknowledges the concerns raised by the honourable Member of Parliament (MP) for Permatang Pauh. Sensitivity towards Malaysia’s diverse cultural and religious landscape is of utmost importance,” Hannah stated.
She explained that MotoGP, organised by Spanish company Dorna Sports, has been running for 75 years across 21 circuits worldwide, including SIC, which attracted nearly 185,000 spectators—including over 18,000 foreign tourists—in 2024.
“According to an economic impact study conducted by SIC, the 2022 event contributed over RM150 million to the national economy.
“The grid girls at these events are promotional staff or brand ambassadors for the companies involved, as determined by the organiser, Dorna Sports. Their role includes marketing activities, broadcasting, and team promotions,” she said.
Hannah also stressed that SIC’s primary responsibility is to provide facilities and amenities for the event, while the ministry continuously engages with the organisers to ensure cultural sensitivities are considered.
Grid girls have been a part of motorsport since the 1960s, typically dressed in sponsor-branded outfits while holding grid boards displaying competitors’ starting positions. — February 5, 2025