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SEPANG - The government has established two special committees to coordinate the staging of the Formula One (F1) Bahrain Gulf Air Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), scheduled for Oct 2 to 4.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the committees comprise a Main Committee, to be chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government, to coordinate security, protocol and cooperation among the relevant ministries and agencies.
He said a Technical Committee at the KBS level has also been formed to monitor implementation according to the prescribed timeline to ensure the race is organised smoothly.
"We have a very short period of about two months to ensure everything is in good order. It is not just about the circuit, but also protocol, security, transportation and how we can boost the country's tourism sector.
"All these require comprehensive coordination," he told reporters after a working visit to SIC here, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the technical team from the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) was satisfied with the current condition of the circuit and found no major issues following an inspection conducted last week.
"There are no red flags. Overall, we are on the right track and only need some improvement and upgrading works to meet FIA specifications," he said.
He added that SIC is expected to be closed to the public from Sept 7 to allow upgrading works, maintenance and final testing to be carried out before the race.
In a separate development, he said KBS will launch a volunteer programme involving no fewer than 1,000 youths, including students from higher education institutions, to assist in organising the race.
He said the ministry will also organise a People's Carnival throughout the race weekend to provide opportunities for local traders to generate income through the sale of food, handicrafts and souvenirs showcasing Malaysian identity.
Commenting on the proposed MADANI Ticket initiative announced earlier by the Prime Minister, Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the matter is still under discussion as ticket pricing and quota allocation fall under the jurisdiction of Bahrain as the event organiser.
He said the government has so far allocated RM16 million for upgrading works at SIC, while the cost of staging the race will be fully borne by Bahrain.
He added that the government is also seeking sponsorship from private companies and corporate organisations to cover other related expenses.
On the possibility of Malaysia returning as a permanent Formula One host, Dr Mohammed Taufiq said it is still too early to make a decision as the current priority is to ensure the successful organisation of the Bahrain Grand Prix in October.
"If this edition is successful, then we can begin discussions on the possibility of Malaysia returning to the Formula One calendar. Based on current projections, the economic spillover for the country is estimated to be around 13 times the cost of staging the event," he said. - BERNAMA
