PETALING JAYA: Karamjit Singh is Malaysia’s greatest rally racer and 2002 National Sportsman of the Year. A legend.
So, why is the “Flying Sikh” about to embark on a part-time job as an e-hailing driver?
The national hero’s life has taken an unusual and troubling turn amid Covid-19 smashing sports to smithereens.
Additionally, scant government concern over Karamjit’s plight collided with his hopes of bringing continued pride to the nation.
Karamjit’s story throws up more questions about why the government had over the years cast big-draw performers in sports such as motor rallying as no-bodies.
Surely, the world champion in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championships in 2002, on his first attempt, is eligible for a monthly pension for life.
The youth and sports ministry had told Karamjit verbally in 2005 that he would get RM5,000 monthly for being a world champion. Nothing happened.
Today, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal will meet Karamjit to discuss his predicament. Hopefully, it will not be another round of promises.
In an interview with FMT yesterday, Karamjit was a picture of agony, frustration and desperation in wanting to realign his life.
He is aching over not being able to add to some 500 trophies in his house. Accolades he won for Malaysia.
Karamjit says at 58, he still has the capability to be a champion but he is frustrated at being forgotten.
“There’s no age limit to rally racing and I am fit and healthy, ready to take on the world,” he said, adding that he hoped to take part in the Malaysian Rally Championship in Terengganu next February.
Karamjit said Malaysia has not been in the world rallying map since 2012 and that he intends to race on the gravel, tarmac and wet tracks for the next five years.
“All I want is sponsorship so I can make Malaysia proud,” he added.
This week, the icon made news suggesting he was an e-hailing driver to tide over tough times, coupled with the blistering impact of Covid-19 on sports.
He clarified the reports, saying: “I sold my 16-year-old manual Proton Waja for RM7,000 and expect to hit the e-hailing track with my new Proton Saga next Wednesday.”
He said cars used for e-hailing had to be below seven years old. In the meantime, he is driving his sister’s car.
Soon after the deal was closed yesterday, he wrote on Facebook: “Farewell my dear Waja. You served me well. New owner, please jaga baik baik (take care of the car) ok.”
Karamjit said he opted as an e-hailing driver to get additional income as his present employer, VX Garage, like most companies, was coping with the pressures of the pandemic.
He said he joined VX Garage as technical director in 2017 because of its quality automotive products and was indebted to it for having sponsored his rallying exploits.
“While the future is bright for the company, I need the extra income to tide over tough times,” he said
Karamjit said he had used most of his savings to fund his rally career back in the day.
While there is nothing wrong in being an e-hailing driver, Karamjit’s predicament relates to the detachment to national consciousnesses.
How can the nation ignore a patriot who has taught us the meaning of passion?