Ahmad Zahid announces formation of umbrella body for motorcycle associations
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday announced the formation of the Federation of Malaysian Motoring Associations ( GPPM) as an umbrella for all motorcycle associations in the country.
He said the GPPM affiliate members would include associations of small bikers and ‘ kapcai’ motorcyclists, hence providing equal treatment to all motorcycle lovers, as well as to facilitate organising of programmes that would benefit the society.
“All these while, bikers, or motorcycling activities are regarded for the elites, arrogant and only be among themselves, when actually the high-powered bikers also carry out activities with the community.
“That is why, I thank the small bikers or kapcai motorcyclists who also contribute to the community and to provide equality for all bikers, I announce the setting up of GPPM to bring together all motorcycle associations under one roof,” he said when closing the Merdeka Rides 2017 programme organised by the Superbikers Association of Malaysia ( SAM) here yesterday.
The programme, which started in Jeli, Kelantan on Sept 4 and ended in Putrajaya yesterday, involved the participation of 600 high-powered motorcycles, where during the journey, they stopped at several locations in the rural areas to carry out activities with the local community.
Ahmad Zahid also announced the appointment of former SAM president Datuk Seri Rauf Yusof as the pro tem chairman of GPPM and promised to approve its registration within a month after it submitted the application to the Registrar of Societies ( ROS).
As the Home Minister, he said, he would assist in speeding up the process so that the move to bring together all motorcycle associations could be realised.
“I hope after 90 days of getting the approval, GPPM could gather all the associations involved here ( Dataran Putrajaya),” he said.
The deputy prime minister also launched a fund to help the Rohingya people, especially for SAM members, and spontaneously lift the hat he was wearing to pass around.
“We want to show the world that bikers also care for the sufferings of the Rohingya people,” he said.
At the event, Ahmad Zahid, who is also SAM executive chairman, launched the vehicle registration numbers beginning with SAM 1 to SAM 9999 which had been approved by the Road Transport Department. — Bernama