Immigration Ensures Smooth Visa, Pass Matters for F1 GP Bahrain in Sepang – DG

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Immigration Department will ensure that immigration matters involving visas and passes at the country’s entry points run smoothly during the hosting of the Formula 1 (F1) Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix (GP) in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from 2 to 4 October this year.

Immigration Director‑General, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that his side will cooperate with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) to ensure that clearance procedures at entry points are in good order and comply with specified security aspects.

“We also need to provide the best service in ensuring the smooth running of this race (Formula 1).

“(For) matters at entry points, Immigration will cooperate with AKPS to ensure that clearance procedures at entry points are (smooth). Immigration is involved regarding visas and passes,” he said when speaking at the JIM monthly assembly here today.

Based on the experience when Malaysia previously hosted F1 races, Zakaria said that spectator attendance exceeded 100,000, while the target for this race is around 150,000.

He however did not rule out the possibility that foreign visitor numbers could increase to up to 300,000 based on attendance recorded at several F1 races in other countries such as France and Japan.

“This event, it is also likely to involve the participation or arrival of, especially tourists or foreign visitors, of up to 300,000 people. So, immigration matters also need to be resolved efficiently and quickly,” he said.

Zakaria said that his side had proposed several stipulations to facilitate the hosting of the race, among them the aspect of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for race crews, drivers or related individuals, but this is subject to the government’s decision.

F1 and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) had previously announced that the Bahrain 2026 GP will take place at SIC from 2 to 4 October this year, through a collaboration between Malaysia and Bahrain.

The Bahrain GP was originally scheduled to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit in April, before being postponed to October following geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

SIC hosted the Malaysian GP from 1999 to 2017, before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar following increased hosting costs and licensing fees.

BERNAMA