KLL-Aug19

COVER STORY
COVER STORY
learning process for everyone in the industry. We also need
to understand why we are headed in such direction – it is not
about just changing the infrastructure and creating plugs to
charge cars, but about knowing how efficient the emissions
are and how much we’re saving energy and impacting the
planet. So, to know why you’re doing it is more important than
the big switch to electric cars. But I do believe it is the future,
and even sports cars and motor racing are heading towards
that direction, and we are already developing cars in that
direction. So I see Malaysia heading that way.
Are you making any efforts in regards to that?
I am personally interested in the technology side of it. I have
had meetings to educate and getting the right people to do it,
which takes time, but Sepang is definitely the first platform to
get it done in Malaysia.
UK sets the golden standard for motorsports. What can we do
to propel the local motorsports industry to that level?
The ecosystem in UK has been right since day 1, naturally
making it a breeding ground for talents. Eighty percent of F1
is based in the UK, and the circle is small. I was based in the
UK for 9 years, and I could see how the training, learning
and engineering elements were all connected to each other.
Being in the circle helps being nurtured by the right people
and environment. So, I would like to see Malaysia having that
‘circle’, because our manufacturing is one of the biggest and
strongest in the region. We have to also introduce more of the
motorsport side of the industry so that people can use it for
exposure, not just for the talents but also for the market.
JUST JAZEMAN
Since this is our ‘Malaysian’ issue, what makes you feel
‘Malaysian most’?
The fact that I’m a foodie (laughs). It doesn’t matter whether I
travel to the east or west, I always crave for my fried rice, nasi
lemak or banana leaf rice! Also, when I travel and people ask
where I’m from, I’m always proud to tell them I’m Malaysian.
As a Malaysian athlete, my proudest moment is when I’m
on the podium holding the Malaysian flag. I feel very proud
because it is only a handful that gets to go international. So, I
want to keep that momentum going and wave the flag higher.
Interiors of the Rolls Royce Cullinan
A day in the life of Jazeman is…
Go, go, go! My schedules always have me on the move,
travelling here and there.
PM Tun Dr Mahathir recently announced his interest in
bringing back the Grand Prix. Do you think Malaysia is
ready to host the Grand Prix again soon?
We have to host it knowing that the positive spillover and
opportunities are there. We can’t just see it as entertainment
once a year. It has to be seen as though the manufacturers
are looking to invest and build that hype for Malaysia, so
that it will create more jobs. I see it back in the near future,
but with a better blueprint to make it more self-sustainable.
In the 90’s, Malaysia was one of the market leaders in Asia
for motorsports, having 3 functioning racetracks. How can we
make motorsports in Malaysia great again, especially in the
four-wheels category?
Motorsports is not cheap because of the research and
development that goes into these cars – the business behind it
is bigger than what people think. We have great local talents
that can produce materials and products that are sought-after
by foreign countries, so the trade deals with manufacturers
abroad give us exposure. But sometimes there is always a
limiting factor of how far they want to go. But the way I see
it, the sky is the limit, so we ought push ourselves to go as
far as possible and make it grow globally. Looking at it from
the SIC standpoint, I think having more racetracks to build an
ecosystem that is friendlier and more affordable would lift up
the standards.
The earth is going green, and it is often talked about how the
future of motorsports is in electric cars. What do you think?
We can’t run away from it, unfortunately. I think it is still a
So, it is as fast as your sport?
(Laughs) I try to be as efficient as I can.
Lastly, we know you’re a big foodie. What is your breakfast of
champions?
Varies from one another, depending on where I’m at – so from
a full English breakfast to Nasi Lemak.
But if you have to choose one…
Nasi Lemak is the way to go.
18 l KL LIFESTYLE
KL LIFESTYLE l 19