The prime minister’s senior political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, said the additional allocation is meant to spur organisers to continue holding motorsports activities that have an economic impact and can foster ties in the future.

“The prime minister had previously provided RM100,000 in allocation and today I’m representing him to present another RM200,000, for a total of RM300,000. The additional aid is thanks to the efforts of the prime minister himself with the support of corporations,” he told reporters.

He rejected claims that the government had stopped the organisers from involving the Terengganu government; he said the programme was organised independently every year without involving any state governments or politicians.

“They (the organisers) asked for the prime minister’s consideration for support and he views this programme as a celebration of diversity across the country and is an opportunity to contribute to the people,” he added.