SUNGAI PETANI, Aug 26 — The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) will be temporarily closed from Sept 7 to facilitate refurbishment works ahead of the Formula One (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (Bahrain GP).
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) was coordinating operations to ensure a smooth process before and during the event.
“Work is currently underway, and starting September 7, SIC will be fully closed. External parties will not be able to rent the facility due to the refurbishment works being carried out there.
“The refurbishment covers areas such as the track, seating, restrooms and other facilities, all aimed at elevating our nation’s image on the global stage,” he told reporters after presenting a contribution to the Kedah Elite Media Club (KMEK) here yesterday.
He added that three committees, comprising a main committee, a technical committee, and a sub-committee, had been established to ensure the smooth running of the F1 race in the country.
He said the technical committee meets every Tuesday, with the outcomes subsequently presented to the Cabinet.
“As of today, we have signed an agreement between SIC and the Bahrain International Circuit, and reached an understanding on several matters, including ticket sales, parking and other logistics,” he said.
Mohammed Taufiq said the three-day F1 race, scheduled from October 2 to 4, is expected to generate positive economic spillovers for the country.
“Over the three days of the race, we want to ensure that Malaysians experience positive economic spin-offs.
“Next week, we will launch the volunteer recruitment drive for those interested in joining the F1 race volunteer team,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Taufiq said the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) would continue to prioritise the health of national athletes, particularly amid the current haze situation affecting the country.
He said national athletes were currently undergoing training in preparation for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 3.
“At KBS, we always ensure that the health of our athletes remains a priority and that established guidelines are followed based on current haze levels.
“However, this does not hinder our athletes’ preparations or training sessions,” he said.
The nationwide haze situation showed slight improvement yesterday, with the number of areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings falling to 29 as of 2.30pm.
Earlier, Mohammed Taufiq presented a RM30,000 contribution for KMEK activities as a token of appreciation for media practitioners in the state. — Bernama
