Cars are not my passion, in fact I fall into the stereotypical category of women who can’t be bothered to take care of their cars. But I must confess that I do like looking at pretty cars.
I recently found myself admiring a Lotus. Up close and personal, I marveled at the silhouette of this work of art and understood why it was named after the beautiful flower.
Incidentally the next day it was reported that Malaysia would have its own Lotus- powered Formula One Team.
How interesting I thought.
I didn’t even know we were bidding to take over Honda and BMW’s spot. But then again, I tend to look at the pictures in the sports section more than read the articles.
But how fascinating, to know that the great masters of the sport were giving up citing financial constraints in this economic climate but Malaysia has decided to take up this multi-million dollar challenge.
Had I known earlier, that we were bidding for it, maybe then I’d have thrown in the suggestion for Lotus to help it’s owner Proton to first make car windows that function well. So that Proton owners can enjoy winding down the window to take a parking ticket or pay the toll instead of opening the door while the engine is running and cars are queuing at the back.
Another thing I would have suggested would be perhaps to rethink the name. Not that 1 Malaysia isn’t a good concept or that the team will fail, but what would it mean if we don’t finish the race?
I think it would be good to start small. Take care of the stuff at home first before loosing some tax money past the checkered flag.
Sometimes we are put in the position of opportunity to make bold decisions that could better our future but it doesn’t always mean we have to take them.
I think it’s important to look at our history, of the decisions we have made good and bad, the liabilities we have incurred and the potential liability if our current decision is the wrong one before we move forward.
I’m not good at financial planning but I do know that it would be wiser to fix a leaking roof than to spend the money on a sports car and months later suffer because the roof has collapsed.
Instead of all that money being put towards a car driving round in circles, can all that money be channeled to the people?
Fair enough it is not solely a government project, there are private investors and the advertising money will trickle back to the country – but who will benefit?
When we look at the legacy of each administration, the main goal is to leave something worthwhile, to make a difference, to keep improving ourselves and to do good by the people.
So when we look at the quality of our roads, the traffic jams, bad air quality, rampant theft, the poor, even the middle class that is struggling to make ends meet, parents who tighten their belt even more to pay for a decent education for their children, the lack of medical care, then I wonder if spending millions on an F1 team could be better spent elevating the burden of the people.
Malaysia is a great country if you are rich, influential or an expatriate where everything is available at your fingertips. But what happens to the rest of the country?
Can the USD48 million bond alone that is paid to the The International Automobile Federation to have an F1 team be used for better services for those in need?
What about the millions that is needed to house the F1 team in Sepang, wind tunnel and all?
My hope though when our government makes decisions as financially gigantic as this they realize that it is not what they are able to give the people but what they are willing to give up, because it is not what we are able to do but our willingness to do without.
We have nothing to gain if what we are advertising to the world with the F1 team is a country struggling to provide her people with the basic necessities.
Natalie would like to experience the F1 one day but for now, she’s content with watching it on the big screen.
Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
