It’s not nepotism, Dr M says over Mokhzani’s role in motorsport body

(FMT) – Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today brushed off nepotism claims after his son, Mokhzani was chosen to lead the country’s motorsport association.

“People accuse us of things because of political and practical reasons,” he said after the launch of a palm oil event.

Mohkzani is the new president of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM). He was previously the chairman of Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for 13 years before he quit in 2016.

“My son does not want to come back (to the motorsport world) because he had to spend a lot of money when he was there,” he said, speaking about Mokhzani’s tenure at SIC.

Mahathir also said after his second son left the motorsport field, the petroleum engineer-turned-businessman had been saving a lot of money.

“I can now ask for money from him,” Mahathir quipped.

MAM, established in 2009, serves as a sanctioning body while assisting clubs, event organisers, officials, competitors, commercial operators and sponsors to ensure the future growth of motorsports in its many disciplines.

The association’s main objective is to promote the development of Malaysian grassroots motorsports and local talents.

FMT reported earlier that the government had lobbied for MAM to be the governing body for motorcycling, months before the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) was deregistered for violating the Sports Development Act.

MAM cannot assume AAM’s role unless the international bodies in motorsport recognise it.