KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) is temporarily barred from organising auto racing events pending an inquiry into its role at the deadly go-kart race organised by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) chairman Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha confirmed this, saying that MAM will be investigated for possible non-compliance with safety standards during the event that killed two spectators in Kuantan, Pahang.

Mudzaffar added that two AAM officials who were on duty at the race last Sunday have also been suspended and withdrawn from their scheduled duties at the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend.

"This is in line with policies and procedures. As the sanctioning body, we have to suspend MAM pending enquiry, while the two officials too have to be suspended as they were involved in an event that was non-compliant,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Company supervisor Izwan Isa, 39, and his four-year-old daughter Nur Zulaikha, were killed while his wife and son was injured after they were hit by the go-kart during the race.

A video of the incident showed that spectators were separated from the active track by plastic dividers that flew away the instant these were hit by the go-kart that careened off the road and into the crowd.

UTM insisted that it complied with safety requirements set by the MAM, which it also said provided approval for the event.

On Monday, AAM said that MAM was not authorised to sanction safety measures in auto racing events without the former association’s approval.

MAM chief executive Datuk Razlan Razali yesterday insisted that his association was authorised to approve such events.