KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 – He was promised a monthly pension of RM5,000 by the Sports Ministry sometime in 2005 or 2006 after putting Malaysia on the world map for winning the 2002 FIA Production Car World Rally Championships title.
However, it was another typical Malaysian promise by a politician, probably to gain political mileage.
We have seen many such promises and it was probably another such promise that died a natural death.
The Sports Minister then was Dato Sri Azalina Othman Said under Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s cabinet (2004-2008). There were two deputy Sports Ministers – first Ong Tee Keat and later Liow Tiong Lai.
However, Karamjit Singh – dubbed the ”Flying Sikh” – could see light at the end of the tunnel and may still get the pension if YAKEB president, Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed’s statement for a pension proposal comes through.
Noorul played a role in Karamjit’s meeting with current Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican who has promised the ”Flying Sikh” to secure sponsors that will enable him to race in next year’s Asia Pacific Rally Championships (APRC).
For the record, Karamjit won the APRC titles in 2001, 2002, and 2004 and hopes to compete in the first round scheduled for March 2021.
Reezal has “verbally” agreed to help Karamjit secure the RM3 million needed and the dream come true for the racer to compete in the APRC.
Karamjit was on the verge of becoming an e-hailing driver to sustain his driving.
Before that, Karamjit sold his apartment, three cars and used his EPF money to keep his first love alive.
This went viral and netizens took social media to garner support for the world-renowned rally driver’s financial plight.
Age is not a factor for Karamjit who believes he has another five years or more of rally driving in him and he is determined to put his beloved Malaysia at the forefront of demanding sport. He still has the energy and fire to keep the Malaysian flag flying.
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