Have a cx9 and the middle bottom spoke has a plastic cover instead of being open, is that normal or should be open.

the plastic seems cheap and strange texture

but I see some have just an opening. Please advise
similar picture to mine attached

is there a way to remove it?

 

It's closed. Mine is too. I admit, it is quite strange that Mazda decided NOT to open that portion up - would have looked much nicer.

I doubt there's a way to remove it. It's probably molded straight into the steering wheel housing.

 

Mazda probably thought it would use that spot for future functionality.