Tax incentive should be considered to spur growth of bike industry – DPM
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hopes that the race bike installation industry be given incentives, particularly tax incentive, to encourage its growth.
The deputy prime minister said the measure needed to be considered, especially in view of the coming tabling of Budget 2017 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Oct 27.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, expressed hope that the cycling sport be continued to be popularised to make it a people’s sport, not just appealing to those with the financial resources to engage in the sport.
“But in my opinion, the government could encourage the growth of the race bike installation industry by giving incentives, especially tax incentive.
“In presenting the budget soon, please consider this for these local companies,” he said at the launching of the Malaysia Road Bike Tour 2017, here, yesterday.
Twenty cycling race teams will participate in the 53rd edition of the event which will be held from Oct 3 to 7, involving five stages of the 679.9-kilometre route.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the patron of the Malaysia Road Bike Tour event said at the same time, imported bicycle parts should also be given reduced tax or tax exemption following encouraging response to the cycling sport in Malaysia.
“This sport should not just be encouraged by the government but also by the private sector and individuals.
“We encourage more people to be involved in this sport at the local and international level so that more gold medals will be won,” he said.
At the event, Ahmad Zahid also announced the government’s sponsorship of RM500,000 for the Malaysia Road Tour race next year.
Meanwhile, the event organising chairman, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib said 11 of the 20 participating teams would be from countries like Australia, Japan, China, Thailand and Indonesia.
Two local professional teams taking part are Terengganu Cycling Team and Sapura Cycling Team.
“The Gunung Jerai route is expected to be the climax of the challenge. This race is also of the longest distance and with a climb reaching 1,250 metres (above sea level),” he said.
Stage 1 of the race is from Shah Alam to Hutan Melintang (162.1km), Stage 2 from Lumut to Kuala Kurau (145.2km), Stage 3 from Kuala Kangsar to Kulim (138.5km), Stage 4 from Kulim to Gunung Jerai (101.3km) and the Loop stage in Alor Setar (132.8km).
Earlier, about 1,000 people including celebrities from the entertainment industry, Vanidah Imran, Cat Farish, Betty Banafe and Rashidi Ishak took part in the ‘Ride With Stars’ session at the Putrajaya Marina beginning at 7.30am, held to enliven the race programme.
The session involved two categories, VIP Ride for a distance of 5 km and the Fun Ride, a distance of 30 km, which was open to participants from government-linked and corporate companies, amateur cycling clubs and cycling sport fans. -