Ismail Defends Rm20mil Allocation For Drag Racing

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Former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the allocation for the drag racing circuits could be increased the following year. (Facebook pic)PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended the RM20 million allocation set aside by his administration to develop drag racing circuits in each state, following claims the sum is insufficient.
Ismail said the sum was merely to help jumpstart the development of the sport and that the allocation could be increased the following year.
He hoped the youth and sports ministry would reconsider its decision to not proceed with the construction.
“The government should thoroughly consider the purpose of constructing these circuits instead of deciding to discontinue them for various reasons,” he said in a statement.
Ismail also proposed that drag racing circuits be built in every district to ensure youths in rural and remote areas could take part in the sport.
“I hope that the youth and sports minister can visit the existing drag racing circuits to gain a clear understanding of motorsports,” he said, referring to Hannah Yeoh.
Yesterday, the youth and sports ministry said the RM20 million allocated by the previous government was neither discussed nor approved in Parliament.
It said the budget for the drag racing circuits was announced without obtaining data and feedback from the ministry and was also insufficient.
In August last year, Ismail said Putrajaya planned to build drag racing circuits in every state to boost motorsports in the country.
However, in a written parliamentary reply last Tuesday, Yeoh said her ministry did not plan to go ahead with the move as the government would have to bear high maintenance costs. - FMT

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