Credit : Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's X
SEPANG, November 1, 2026 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim spent part of his Sunday at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia, meeting four of the country’s young riders and fans holding Tiket MADANI MotoGP passes, while also urging recipients of free helmets to wear them properly every time they ride.
In a post shared on X on Sunday night, Anwar said he had taken time, amid the excitement of the MotoGP race, to meet young national riders Hakim Danish, Qabil Irfan, Qayyim Razin and Naqib Rifqi. “This is a space to exchange stories and get to know these very talented young people more closely. My message to them: keep striving, and never stop chasing your dreams and ambitions,” he wrote. “May more Malaysian children bring honour to the nation on the world stage!”
Hakim Danish, who stepped up to the Moto3 World Championship this season with the MSI team, came close to a home podium on Sunday. He battled for a top-three place throughout the Moto3 race before finishing fourth after a last-corner fight with Alvaro Carpe, according to the official MotoGP website. Qabil Irfan, Qayyim Razin and Naqib Rifqi compete in the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup, a series for young riders from Asia and Oceania that mostly runs as a support event to MotoGP.
Tiket MADANI holders at K2 Hillstand
Earlier, Anwar stopped by the K2 Hillstand at SIC to spend time with Tiket MADANI MotoGP holders, asking after them and sharing their excitement as they waited for the racing action, he said in a separate post shared on X. “It was good to see the response from the fans, who also took the chance to enjoy a variety of food from 30 local traders doing business here,” he wrote, adding that besides livening up the MotoGP atmosphere, the initiative gave local traders the chance to introduce their products to more visitors.
He thanked the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and everyone involved in making the initiative a success. The K2 Hillstand, which overlooks Turns 3 and 4 of the circuit, is sold only to MyKad holders, according to SIC. This year’s Malaysian round ran from October 30 to November 1, with free entry to all seating zones on the Friday.
70,000 free helmets under Budget 2026
In another post shared on X, Anwar said he had enjoyed chatting with several recipients of free helmets under a Transport Ministry initiative carried out by the Road Transport Department (JPJ). “Through Budget 2026, 70,000 helmets have been allocated for distribution to the people, as an effort to keep motorcyclists safe and reduce the risk of serious injury,” he wrote. “My advice: make sure these helmets are worn and fastened securely. Leave home safely, and return home safely too. New helmet, new spirit!”
Transport Minister Anthony Loke told the Dewan Rakyat in October 2025 that the government would distribute 70,000 free helmets this year, using part of the proceeds from the sale of special vehicle registration numbers to fund road safety, Harian Metro reported. Under the JPJ helmet exchange programme, Malaysians aged 16 and above can swap an old, damaged or non-SIRIM-compliant helmet for a new one, limited to one helmet per person, according to the government’s benefits portal.
On the track, Ducati’s Marc Marquez won Sunday’s MotoGP race at Sepang ahead of Pedro Acosta and Alex Marquez, according to the official MotoGP website, taking a big step towards the world title with the next round in Qatar.
Source: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on X, with additional reporting from MotoGP.com, Sepang International Circuit, Harian Metro and the Portal Manfaat Belanjawan 2026.
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