14/08/2026

FRIDAY | AUG 14, 2026

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Malaysia urged to reclaim Formula 1 hosting rights

Menon said food is another important link between the two communities, with nasi lemak, satay, laksa among dishes enjoyed by both, in addition to durian. He called on Singaporeans and Malaysians to continue working towards a shared future. More than 1,200 guests, including government representatives, the business community, members of the diplomatic corps, friends of Singapore and Singaporeans living in Malaysia, joined the celebration. Guests were treated to iconic classic tunes from Singapore and Malaysia by The Straits Ensemble, the flagship ensemble of Pasat Merdu, a Singaporean non-profit organisation dedicated to intercultural exchange. Singapore celebrated its 61st National Day on Aug 9. – Bernama Time needed to explain School Pupil Protection Policy: Minister KUALA LUMPUR: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek called on educators to remain calm and give the ministry room to explain the School Pupil Protection Policy, which has recently caused concern among many parties. She said the policy was designed to ensure comprehensive protection for all parties dealing with pupils, with priority given to the safety of students, teachers and the entire school community. Fadhlina said the policy also provides detailed guidelines on the responsibilities of all parties as well as the actions to be taken should any untoward incident occur at schools. “I have instructed the Education Ministry director-general and its legal adviser to hold a special session with stakeholders to address the concerns raised by teachers. “The ministry is committed to ensuring that every policy is executed carefully and responsibly to create a safe school environment,” she said in a post on her Facebook page yesterday. The policy, announced via a professional circular dated July 1, requires staff and external parties with official dealings with schools and their members to sign a School Pupil Protection Policy Compliance Pledge as a gesture of their commitment to pupil safety. The circular outlines five main areas of education reform, namely mental health, reproductive and social health education, child sexual violence and substance abuse prevention, pupil protection policy as well as teacher welfare and pupil voice. Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) said it is working to hold negotiations with the ministry to have the pledge withdrawn and replaced with other, more professional measures. NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon added that while the union supports the ministry’s efforts to keep pupils safe and protected at school, it deems the pledge requirement inappropriate and believes it undermines the ability of teachers to provide the best protection. He also said the document risks exposing teachers to civil lawsuits. – Bernama

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o Financial factors have changed considerably since rising costs prompted nation to relinquish world event in 2017, says Tun M

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia should look at reclaiming its Formula 1 (F1) hosting rights as shifts in currency value have made the fees far more manageable than when the country exited the sector, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Speaking on the DR.M podcast, Mahathir said the financial picture behind hosting has changed considerably since rising costs prompted Malaysia to drop the global event in 2017. “Money values have changed. In the past RM100 million was huge, but today RM100 million feels like what RM50 million used to,” he said, adding that if he were still in government, he would consider bringing the race back to the country.

cost has long since been recovered. “We earned enough to cover the building cost, so we are essentially using the facility free of charge now. Whatever comes in now is profit.” He attributed Malaysia’s 2017 exit to a steep hike in annual hosting fees under F1’s American ownership, pointing out that it had risen from RM50 million to more than RM100 million. He said while that figure was unaffordable at the time, today’s tourism benefits justify revisiting the decision. He added that Sepang’s purpose-built layout gives it an edge over street circuits like that of Singapore, since it was designed for high-speed racing without disrupting city traffic.

“When we started promoting tourism, people asked what we had to offer since we didn’t have pyramids like Egypt. We had to create events,” he said, adding that F1 weekends drew about 100,000 spectators who filled hotels, restaurants and generated substantial foreign spending. He said hosting F1 was never just about ticket revenue but about global exposure, putting Malaysia on par with established European racing destinations and generating lasting benefits for tourism, hospitality and aviation. Mahathir also said the circuit’s original RM200 million construction

His comments come as Sepang International Circuit prepares to temporarily host the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from Oct 2 to 4. The 5.543km circuit, known for its high-speed corners and unpredictable tropical weather, remains one of the sport’s most recognisable venues. Mahathir suggested that the government use the October race to gauge the economic case for reviving the Malaysian Grand Prix. He said Sepang was built on swampland in 1999 as a deliberate move to boost the country’s tourism profile.

Mahathir said the original RM200 million construction cost of the circuit has long since been recovered. – SUNPIC

Closer S’pore-M’sia relationship vital in volatile world, says envoy

KUALA LUMPUR: The increasingly intertwined Singapore-Malaysia relationship reinforces the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries amid a rapidly changing and more volatile world, said Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon. “Our bilateral relationship is so intertwined and interrelated that it is in our mutual interest to work together on a wide range of issues,” he said in his remarks at the 61st National Day reception held on Wednesday. “That is why ‘Closer Together’ is a fitting theme for this year’s reception. It epitomises not only the historical ties between our two countries but also the friendship and cooperation that have strengthened and deepened over the years.

“The movement of people on both sides will grow further with the completion of the Johor Bahru Singapore Rapid Transit System Link.” Menon also highlighted the mutual assistance extended by both countries during times of need. He said during the floods in Hat Yai in southern Thailand last year, Malaysia helped support Singaporeans making their way home. “Likewise, when Singapore organised repatriation flights recently from West Asia, it helped bring Malaysians to safety. “Overall, the Singapore-Malaysia relationship is a testament to the peribahasa ‘ Bagai isi dengan kuku ’ – two countries and peoples bonded by our shared history, kinship and growing cooperation.”

exchanges and dialogue throughout the year.” Menon added that the two countries continued to engage across various domains, including the arts and culture. He said in April, the Singapore Ballet had performed “Ballet Illuminations 2026”, a triple bill of classical and contemporary works, at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, while in June, Singapore’s Ding Yi Music Company shared the stage with the Malaysia Century Chinese Orchestra at the “Festival Orkestra Kuala Lumpur”, organised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. “The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone has brought jobs and opportunities for both our peoples and will play an important role in catalysing growth in our region.

“As in the Chinese idiom feng yu tong zhou, we are in the same boat and will have to weather the storm and choppy waters together.” Menon said the commitment to strengthening the bonds between the two countries is shared at the highest levels, as reflected in a series of high-level visits and exchanges this year. He said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam made his first state visit to Malaysia in July at the invitation of His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, and in February, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong was here in May while ministers on both sides kept up a strong rhythm of