KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — The organisers of a go-kart race that killed two spectators last night had sought approval for the event but failed to obtain this due to the costs involved, according to an Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) supervisor.

The Berita Harian newspaper reported today that Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which organised the race, had applied for the approval two months ago.

"Among the terms that AAM require is that the organisers should pay for insurance protection for racers and staff, road surfacing costs, cones and fencing, marshals, and the track needs to be inspected by an AAM approved expert.

"The failure to get approval means that the competition or race was run illegally,” Ahmad Suhaimi Abdullah, a supervisor with the AAM, was quoted as saying.

A man and his daughter were killed while his wife and son were injured after they were hit by a go-kart during the race organised by UTM.

UTM vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Wahid Omar yesterday insisted that water barriers and safety tape partitions were set up at the race, while security personnel were also on hand.

He also asserted that the event fulfilled the recommendations of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM).

But a video of the incident appeared to show that spectators were only separated from the track and racing go-karts by plastic dividers that flew away the instant these were hit by the go-kart that careened off the road and into the crowd.

Organisers also asserted that the spectators were in a "prohibited” area.

Company supervisor Izwan Isa, 39, and his four-year-old daughter Nur Zulaikha, were buried at the Jalan Bukit Ubi Muslim cemetery at 11.10pm yesterday.