KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir is hell-bent on tackling unsanctioned racing in Malaysia, after retaining the post of Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) president during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today.
He said MAM is resolute in achieving this goal, noting that it requires a united effort from all stakeholders.
“Not just from MAM but the Youth and Sports Ministry, Sports Commissioners Office and local council at the state level.
“All parties must work together to ensure that all races organised anywhere (in Malaysia) must be in a safe environment for participants and fans,” he said at a press conference after the AGM.
Mokhzani also highlighted MAM’s strategic vision for the growth of Malaysia’s motorsports industry, aiming to attract racing enthusiasts and foster innovation within the field.
“While the motorsports industry in Malaysia is relatively modest, in other countries it thrives on a massive scale.
“To expand our industry, we need to attract investments from the private sector.
“This endeavour should not only focus on racing events but also on nurturing racing teams and organising workshops that can spark creativity and development within the industry,” he added.
Recognising that motorsport can be perceived as an expensive pursuit, particularly at the elite level, Mokhzani stressed the importance of broadening participation.
He cited recent successes in organising the Asia Pacific Championship, where everyday vehicles were used in rally races and affordable go-cart races captured the interest of numerous young enthusiasts.
“The perception that motorsports is expensive is because people often look at Formula 1 and MotoGP – the top level of any sporting series of course will be expensive.
“But we’ve proved that it is not as expensive as last week when we organised the Asia Pacific Championship,” he added.
Mokhzani also said that a focus on grassroots development is equally important to nurture future champions in the sport.
At today’s AGM, Mokhzani was challenged by former motorcycle racer Shahrol Yuzy Ahmad Zaini, but he won the presidency by 13 votes to five. – October 5, 2023
MAM Committee for the 2023-2026 term:
President: Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir
Deputy President: Datuk Mohammed Rhiza Ghazi
Secretary-General: S. N. Nanthan
Treasurer: Datuk Razlan Razali