Kota Kinabalu: State Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib said he will bring a proposal for a dedicated motorcycle racing circuit to the State Cabinet.
“I will bring this matter to the cabinet to inform my fellow ministers,” he said, referring to a request from the Sabah MotoDay 9.0 organisers for a racing circuit to be built in Sabah.
He said this when met at the sidelines after officiating the SMD 9.0, where he represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, here, Sunday.
James said the location, whether within Kota Kinabalu or outside, would be left to the organisers to decide.
He said the SMD 9.0 helped steer young people away from negative activities and reduced illegal motorcycle racing by giving riders a proper outlet.
“If they want to race motorcycles, they can come to a proper racing circuit instead,” he said.
MazlanMeanwhile, SMD Co-organiser Datuk Mazlan @ Joehari Manan, who heads the Sabah Anti-Drug Squad, said this year’s edition secured Petronas Lubricants as a new strategic partner, as well as Sabah Energy, Kumpulan Sawit Kinabalu and Jetama Sdn Bhd.
“The involvement of corporate bodies, especially at the Federal and State levels, proves that the SMD is a successful programme that has drawn interest from many quarters,” he said.
On the shift in venue from Universiti Malaysia Sabah to the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex in Likas, he said they (organisers) had been anxious at first but the strong turnout proved the location was not an issue.
Some 70,000 people from across Sabah, Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia and Brunei, turned up for the two-day event that began on Saturday.
Mazlan said the anti-drug squad viewed the gathering as a chance to reach young motorcycle enthusiasts directly.
“The two wheel sports community is a large one, not a small one. Across Sabah, there are even more motorcycles than cars,” he said, adding that his agency used the event to spread anti-drug and road safety messages.
Earlier he appealed to the State and Federal governments to set up a dedicated racing circuit to reduce negative public comment surrounding the sport.
He said the State Government had already proposed such a circuit to the Federal Government, with possible locations including Tawau, Kalabakan, Tuaran and Kimanis, though the final decision rested with the authorities.
ElmariahNational Anti-Drugs Agency Sabah Director Elmariah Chung said her agency shared the same goal as the Sabah Anti-Drug Squad in spreading awareness of the dangers of substance abuse among young motorcyclists.
She said the agency’s Two Wheel Anti-Drug Squad worked with Kelab Bersatu Dua Roda Sabah to carry the anti-drug message across the State through events such as the SMD.
“Through the interests of these young people, we have made motorcycling a fitting platform to reach out to and connect with the youth of Sabah,” she said.
She added that volunteers were encouraged to register under the Anti-Drug Squad at both district and State level.
“We see this platform as the right one for us to deliver that message,” she said.
For the record, the SMD 9.0 was originally scheduled for Sept 5 and 6 this year but was pushed back to Sept 12 and 13, following requests from two-wheel sports enthusiasts for the dates to be adjusted to allow bigger crowds to attend.
This year’s edition kept the same format as previous years, featuring road safety talks, spiritual programmes, community service, sports and healthy lifestyle segments.
The gathering also doubled as the closing ceremony of the Jerayawara Jelajah Aspirasi Bebas Dadah, a nationwide anti-drug roadshow organised by the National Anti-Drugs Agency Sabah and the Skuad Dua Roda Antidadah Sabah.
