M'sia can become a hub for superbike riders

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak hopes to see more riders of high-powered motorcycles in this country as Malaysia has the potential to become a hub for such riders in the region.

In his speech when closing the 1Malaysia Bike Week (1MBW) at the grounds of the Palace of Justice here today, Najib said he did not think that any other Asean country had this many superbike riders.

"I regard this as the start to a future where there will be many more superbike riders in this country," he added.

Also present were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also the executive chairman of the Superbikes Association of Malaysia (SAM), Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Putrajaya Corporation chairman Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat and SAM president Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman.

Najib believes that the 1MBW convoy expedition which started on Tuesday and participated by 438 riders can help change public perception of suberbike riders as being an elitist group.

He said this was because during the 1,828km journey around the peninsula starting from Johor, the convoy also carried out social work including visiting the sick and helping the poor, and doing cleaning-up work.

"This has been a very meaningful contribution to the local communities. It shows that this group (superbike riders) is also among citizens who love their country, who want to serve society and to contribute to national well-being."

Najib said the convoy participants could also see some new aspects and dimension of the country, making them loving it even more.

He said these included the good network of roads built by the government, balanced development between the rural and urban areas, peace and harmony among the multiracial populace, and the natural, green environment.

"I think seeing all these, will make us appreciate and love our country more, make us want to contribute to it and protect what we have inherited all this while, so that we as the new generation will strive together with the government to create a brighter future for ourselves and the nation," he added.

Ahmad Zahid, in his speech, had put forward three requests - that the government reduce the import duty, road tax and insurance premium for superbikes. He also asked that the local motorcycle assemblers be given the permit to assemble superbikes as currently, the superbikes are fully imported. Najib said the requests would be given due consideration and hoped that the 1MBW would be an annual affair with Putrajaya remaining as the final destination. The expedition also today went into the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest superbike expedition with 438 machines and 536 participants, as well as the largest gathering of superbikes with 6,630 machines and 7,740 participants.