SEPANG: Madani tickets for the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia are being resold for up to nearly six times their original price, raising consumer protection concerns and prompting calls for an investigation.
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the steep mark-up was unfair to consumers, particularly those who had hoped to attend the race through the government’s affordable ticket initiative but failed to secure any.
He questioned how some resellers had managed to obtain tickets in large quantities.
“They might have bought the tickets in anticipation of strong demand from fans who would struggle to secure them through official channels.
“I think this is really unfair to consumers,” he said.
The Madani tickets were priced at RM200 for the three-day event from Oct 2 to 4 and were available exclusively to Malaysians with valid MyKad, giving more people the opportunity to experience Formula 1 in person.
All 10,000 tickets allocated under the initiative sold out within days of their release in mid-August. A check on an online secondary ticketing marketplace found some RM200 Madani tickets (Section G) listed for between RM800 and RM1,190.
Lee said ticket resales risked pricing ordinary Malaysians out of the event, undermining its goal of greater accessibility.
He urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to investigate the resale practice and determine whether action could be taken to protect consumers.
“This matter must get the ministry’s attention,” he said, adding that the issue should be addressed in the public interest.
The Bahrain Grand Prix, being held at Sepang from today until Oct 4, is marking Formula 1’s return to Malaysia after the country last hosted a race in 2017.
Bahrain is covering the hosting rights fee, with ticket revenue arrangements forming part of the agreement for the event to be held in Malaysia under the Bahrain Grand Prix name.
