KUANTAN, Jan 16 — The Coroner’s Court here was today told that the organisers of the 2016 Educational Innovation in Motorsport and Automotive Racing (EIMARace) had failed to ensure safety of spectators at the circuit.

Inspector Mohd Farirul Abd Halim, 32, who was the investigation officer assigned to the case in which two family members were killed while watching the race, said no special seats were provided and not a single signboard was available to inform on the seating arrangement.

The 12th witness in the inquest added that there was also poor preparation in security control as the number of Rela and marshal members was inadequate and in the briefing to Rela officials, it was not mentioned that the scene of the fatal accident was a restricted area.

"There was also poor safety condition around the circuit as only empty water barriers were provided which were insufficient in number and not available at a few places. According to the organisers the containers were not filled with water to prevent injuries to spectators should there be untoward incidents.”

Mohd Farirul said this at the inquest held to investigate if there were elements of negligence or crime which had resulted in the death of Izwan Isa, 39, and his five-year-old daughter Nur Zulaikha, during the race at Jalan Sukpa, Indera Mahkota here at 11 am on Sept 25, 2016.

He added that the sudden change in the direction of the race route and constant changes made to the original circuit plan also contributed to the accident as this made it difficult for the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) to conduct safety checks on the circuit.

"Based on preliminary meetings, the race was supposed to be held at Wisma Belia, but the organisers did not book the place in time. So, the event was relocated to Sukpa Complex and the organisers also changed the race path direction.

"There was no cooperation and understanding between the organisers and MAM which was appointed as consultant as they were always blaming each other though they had already been working together in similar events since 2009.

"MAM had the power to cancel the race if they viewed that the racing track was unsafe, but they still continued with the race to safeguard the interests of various parties including the participants’ attendance and preparations that had been made,” he said.

Mohd Farirul, who is attached to the Pahang contingent headquarters, said EIMARace 2016 organised jointly by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology in collaboration with government and private agencies, saw the participation of 38 go-karts.

The witness added that the accident involved three go-karts namely go-kart number 22 from the Wakaf Tapai National Youth Skills Institute, number 27 (Universiti Multimedia Malaysia Melaka) and number 33 (Muadzam Shah Polytechnic).

The three machines collided with one another at the race circuit causing the yellow-coloured number 27 to lose control, skid to the right side of the road before crashing into the spectators including the two victims.

Meanwhile the victim’s wife, Siti Suhaiza Seman, 39, who was called as the 11th witness said her family members were hit by number 27 go-kart and they did not have time to escape when they saw the machine heading towards them.

"I was also knocked down, but conscious and could get up. I tried to call out to my children and husband...” she said adding that her eldest son Muhammad Iz Daniel, nine, was also injured in the accident.

Siti Suhaiza who could not not hold back her tears and had to read out her written statement in between sobs was advised by Coroner Dazuki Ali to read her statements slowly.

The proceeding was assisted by deputy public prosecutor Wahida Zainal Abidin. Lawyer Che Arifin Mohd Ali held a watching brief for the victims’ family while lawyers Juliana Abu Bakar and Rosmah Rosli for the Kuantan Municipal Council, Mohd Syahril Daud (Motorsports Association of Malaysia) and Ahmad Hazwan Hamdan (Fraser’s Hill Development Corporation).

The inquest continues on Jan 19. — Bernama