All agencies and establishments involved in the organization of Malaysia’s Formula One race have been reminded not to be complacent in their preparations for the 2004 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix 2004 (PMGP ’04) and that they have the national duty to maintain its high standard of success.

In making this reminder, Sepang International Circuit chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir said they should not take anything for granted and should not take things easy following the success of the last five Grand Prix.

Chairing the first meeting of the PMGP ’04 organising committee, Mokhzani said Malaysia had build a very strong reputation in Formula One and that the world had high respects for the country’s organization capabilities.

“While it was good that everything went well for the last five races, it will be dangerous if we become complacent for the 2004 event. We have set a very standard and recognized by the F1 community. We must maintain that reputation and make the 2004 event and even bigger success,” said Mokhzani, who is chairman of the organizing committee.

The 2004 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix will be held at Sepang Circuit from 19th to 21st March. Malaysia hosts the second leg of the Formula One World championship, which opens this season in Melbourne, Australia on 7th March.

Held at Sepang Circuit today, the meeting was attended by representatives from Malaysia Airlines, police, army, Immigration, Customs, Malaysia Travel and Tours Association, Department of Civil Aviation, Health Department, the Multimedia and Telecommunications Commission, and Hospital University Kebangsaan Malaysia.

While noting that the overall organization of the 2003 event went well, Mokhzani, who replaced Tan Sri Basir Ismail last month, recognized the need for traffic flow management to be further improved.

“Traffic was an issue at this year’s Formula One race. We need to ensure a better traffic management system for 2004,” said Mokhzani, who was told that the police had made a post mortem of the 2003 F1 race and that they had worked out a new traffic flow plan for the event.

Sepang International Circuit also pledged to provide a Formula One car for the medical and extradication team for their use during training in preparations for the event.

Chief Medical Officer Bg Gen. Dr Mohd Zin Bidin highlighted to the committee of the team’s difficulties in their exercise as they are only provided with the FIA extradication cockpit for training five days before the race.

“To train with an actual F1 car will be very good for the team. It will definitely boost their morale and spirit during training,” Dr Zin said after the meeting.

The meeting also decided to continue with the military air show at the event where spectators will be treated with a spectacular air show by six F-8 fighter jets.

While congratulating the Multimedia and Telecommunications Commission in their handling of telecommunications during the event, Mokhzani hoped that the team would continue with their excellent performance, which had drawn praises from the FIA.

The meeting was told that a total of 600 pairs of frequencies were provided for the Formula 1 teams and officials and that they had not faced any kind of transmission interferences during the last five events.

The Immigration Department had agreed to provide two exclusive lanes for Formula One community during 2004 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix to ensure a hassle-free entry at the KLIA.

Mokhzani also explained on the Government’s reprieve on tobacco advertising at Sepang Circuit; saying that cigarette companies are allowed to have advertisements at the circuit.