The Penang Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued 35 summonses to express and tourist bus drivers in a focused enforcement operation at Juru and Sungai Dua Toll Plazas early today. The violations involved drivers who failed to have a required second driver on routes over 300km or exceeded the maximum four-hour continuous driving limit.
Running from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., the special operation engaged 20 JPJ personnel and aimed to monitor compliance with road safety regulations. Alongside the summonses, Penang JPJ identified additional offences, such as failure to update driver logbooks, insufficient vehicle maintenance, and technical infractions.
TC Subaru Sdn. Bhd., the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in Malaysia, has announced its participation in this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur, to be held at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from 8 to 10 November 2024. In an event at APW Bangsar, Subaru’s dealers, partners, media, and fans were treated to an exclusive preview of the “Kuala Lumpur Edition” Subaru BRZ and Subaru WRX, featuring a special livery by Motorsport Playground and a limited-edition streetwear line by Pestle & Mortar Clothing (PMC).
Inspired by a cultural fusion of Japanese engineering and Malaysian heritage, the livery created by Motorsport Playground brings an artistic twist to the Subaru BRZ and WRX. The design integrates Malaysia’s iconic Songket patterns with intricate geometric shapes and rich symbolism, transforming these high-performance vehicles into vibrant symbols of tradition and modernity. The livery also features the Malaysian national flower, Bunga Raya, in place of the usual Sakura motifs, infusing the design with local pride.
The collaborative project extends beyond the vehicles, with PMC unveiling an exclusive streetwear collection that mirrors this cultural blend. Each piece in the line embodies the precision of Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary Malaysian design, offering a unique style that resonates with both motorsport fans and fashion enthusiasts.
In a further showcase of performance, Subaru took on a thrilling time attack challenge at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. The Subaru BRZ and WRX, under the expert preparation of TD Racing, completed the circuit with impressive times: the Subaru BRZ with manual transmission finished in 02:42:211, while the WRX with CVT clocked in at 02:43:472, driven by professional racer Freddie Ang.
Subaru’s presence at the Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur will celebrate innovation, performance, and cultural fusion. The “Kuala Lumpur Edition” vehicles and PMC’s streetwear collection will be available for sale from 8 to 10 November 2024 at MITEC, offering fans a chance to own a piece of this unique collaboration.
Proton has unveiled its new S70 R3 race car for the upcoming 2024 Sepang 1000KM (S1K) endurance race, hosted at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit. This addition to Proton’s racing portfolio will compete with two cars, each driven by a pair of seasoned and promising drivers.
Driver Line-up
Car #81: Piloted by Syafiq Ali, a three-time S1K winner, and Fahrizal Hasan, known for his multiple victories in the Sepang 12 Hours endurance race.
Car #82: Driven by two emerging talents, Ariff Azmi, an 18-year-old karting and touring car champion, and Alister Yoong, a 21-year-old Formula 4 racer and son of former F1 driver Alex Yoong.
The East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project has reached a pivotal milestone with the successful early penetration of the Gombak Tunnel, completed a month ahead of schedule. According to Berita Harian, the breakthrough of this 959-meter tunnel was achieved with a final blast that removed the remaining 38-meter barrier from the entrance, marking significant progress in one of Malaysia’s largest infrastructure projects.
With a combined effort of 5.8 million man-hours, the ECRL team used advanced drilling and blasting techniques to tackle the tunnel’s challenging weathered granite. Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Rail Link (MRL), expressed pride in the accomplishment, attributing it to both the advanced methods and the relentless dedication of the team. He noted that the Gombak Tunnel’s completion is critical to achieving the targeted December 2026 completion date for the full ECRL route from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal.
The inaugural Malaysia Mini Day 2024 gathered Mini enthusiasts, known as Miniacs, for an unforgettable weekend at Resorts World Awana, Genting Highlands, marking it as Malaysia’s largest-ever Mini gathering. Organised by the Mini Pattern Group, a passionate club of Mini owners, the event set a national record with 543 Minis by the end, celebrating the unity and excitement within the Mini community.
The festivities commenced on October 26 with a dinner marking the 10th anniversary of the Mini Pattern Group. The next day, the open car park transformed into a Mini-themed festival, featuring a special test drive experience. In collaboration with Millennium Welt, participants test-drove the latest Mini Electric models, including the Mini Cooper 3-Door, Mini Countryman, and the new Mini Aceman, embracing the brand’s iconic go-kart feel and agility.
Jaecoo recently introduced its latest premium off-road SUV, the J7 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), in Malaysia through a pop-up experience store that attracted over 3,000 visitors in just five days. This PHEV preview allowed Jaecoo to highlight the advantages of PHEV technology, focusing on efficiency and flexibility, as the company aims to support drivers in making well-informed decisions about hybrid and electric vehicle options.
Leo Chen, Executive Vice President of Chery Corporate Malaysia, emphasised Jaecoo’s dedication to pioneering efficient automotive solutions, positioning PHEVs as central to a sustainable future. Emily Lek, Vice President of Jaecoo Malaysia, echoed this by underscoring the brand’s commitment to educating drivers on electric and hybrid technologies.
Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest automaker, has announced the launch of a new Regional Parts Hub in Malaysia as part of its strategic plan to enhance its footprint in the India & Asia Pacific region. This new hub is set to strengthen Stellantis’ supply chain, supporting over 20 countries, including Malaysia, and will begin operations by the first quarter of 2025.
Daniel Gonzalez, Stellantis ASEAN’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the hub’s role in solidifying Malaysia as a key player in the regional automotive sector. “This investment underpins Stellantis’ long-term commitment to strengthening our footprint and growth in the region,” Gonzalez stated, highlighting Stellantis’ aim to improve customer service and operational efficiency for the India & Asia Pacific region.
The government has announced toll exemptions for all highways on Tuesday and Wednesday in conjunction with the Deepavali celebrations. This initiative, which will cover personal vehicles only, is expected to cost the government approximately RM38 million.
According to Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, the exemptions will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday. However, tolls at the country’s border checkpoints—the Sultan Iskandar Building and Tanjung Kupang toll plazas in Johor—are excluded from this exemption.
Nanta emphasised that the initiative aligns with the unity government’s goal to ease the cost of living while fostering cultural unity across Malaysia’s diverse society. He also urged road users to plan their journeys in advance and to follow the travel advisories provided by highway authorities.
Proton has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Grab Malaysia to support the e-hailing industry by providing exclusive benefits for drivers who choose the Proton Saga. This partnership is aimed at making vehicle ownership more attractive for Grab driver-partners, with perks that include cash rebates and a 5% service discount, valid for two years or up to 40,000 km. The MoA was signed by Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton, and Rashid Shukor, Director of Country Operations and Mobility at Grab Malaysia.
Through this agreement, Proton strengthens its role in the e-hailing sector by offering the Proton Saga, a car that appeals to drivers due to its affordability and reliability. The Proton Saga, Malaysia’s best-selling car with over 2 million units sold, has long been valued for its durability and safety features like ABS, electronic brake distribution, parking sensors, traction control, and a touch screen infotainment system.
At the Auto Car Expo (ACE) 2024, PRO-NET, a subsidiary of Proton, is excited to unveil the interior of the Proton e.MAS 7 and open bookings for Malaysia’s first national electric vehicle. This significant reveal takes place at the Setia City Convention Centre. This follows the successful first-half of the ongoing e.MAS 7 tour which has clocked well over 3,200km up till today.
Early Bird Offer and e.MAS App Launch
As part of the launch, PRO-NET introduces the Proton e.MAS 7 at an inviting estimated price of RM 120,000, making advanced electric vehicle technology accessible to a wider audience. To further entice early adopters, an early bird offer is available, featuring the Pioneer Privilege Deal that comes with a RM 500 rebate and the Pioneer Gift Pack worth RM 1,000 which will provide exceptional value to first buyers. This offer is valid from the 26th of October all the way up to the grand launch.
