Following is an editorial adapted from the Malay Mail Online complete with responses by TTF (in blue):
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said the government intends to bring back the Formula One (F1) race due to the interest it has generated in the automotive industry among Malaysians.
Although the prime minister did not say exactly when the race will make its return, he acknowledged in a report by The Star Online that many Malaysians had become “addicted” to motor vehicles.
“We intend to bring back the Grand Prix, but I don’t know if it’s next year or the year after.
“But the interest in Grand Prix is still very big and we want to bring back the race here, because it has stimulated many Malaysians to go into the automotive industry,” he was quoted saying at the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce luncheon here today.
TTF: On the 7th of April 2017, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that the Government of Malaysia (GoM) would terminate the F1 race due to a significant decline of returns since Malaysia first hosted the event.
According to the former premier, Malaysia had not produced enough F1 drivers in all the years it hosted the race.
This is in stark contrast to Mahathir’s claim that the F1 caused Malaysians to become “addicted” to motor vehicles.
If true, we would surely have seen more F1 drivers rising over the years, turning the event into a “platform” to lure potential drivers and champions.
That would have made hosting the event worthwhile even if resulted in losses.
But we saw no such thing.
So if indeed Mahathir intends to bring back the race, he should first provide us with proof that the event “caused Malaysians to become “addicted” to motor vehicles.”
Otherwise, he would once again be accused of bending national policies just to favour his sons and cronies.
Everyone knows that Mokhzani and his father own a fleet of super-luxury cars and that the younger Mahathir was once the Chairman of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and is slated to make a return.
The Malay Mail Online continued…
Dr Mahathir pointed out that although the Sepang International Circuit no longer hosted international races, it was still a hive of activity as it was a venue for avid car and motorcycle lovers to pursue their interest.
He added that Singaporeans get to enjoy their expensive cars in Malaysia.
Dr Mahathir believed that the Grand Prix would attract many spectators if it was held again.
TTF: Again, you need to provide figures, given that the previous administration claimed the race registered a decline in returns since it was first hosted it in 1999.
Adapted from:
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