Local News Archives

42 Buses Restricted, 77 Buses Penalised in Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2024

In the 2024 Ops Hari Raya Aidilfitri implemented nationwide since April 1, a total of 42 buses have been issued Vehicle Use Prohibition Notices (PG1) for violating technical regulations. Datuk Lokman Jamaan, the senior enforcement director of the Road Transport Department (JPJ), announced that these buses were identified from 3,799 buses inspected at 54 bus depots and 28 bus terminals. The detected buses committed various dangerous technical offences and were prohibited from operating, ensuring the safety of passengers.

According to Bernama, action was taken against 77 buses, with 47 receiving summonses for various offences, including lacking a Competent Driving Licence (CDL) and driver misconduct such as using mobile phones while driving. Additionally, six bus drivers from Sarawak, Kelantan, Perak, and Kedah were suspected of consuming prohibited substances based on failed urine tests and were consequently banned from driving.

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Kelantan Receives RM83.5 Million for Road Infrastructure Maintenance

On April 2, the Federal government allocated RM83.5 million to Kelantan for road infrastructure maintenance works. Datuk Dr. Izani Husin, the chairman of Kelantan Public Works, Infrastructure, Water, and Rural Development committee, announced that the allocation would be utilised to repair damaged roads identified throughout the state, with the project expected to be completed by June.

According to Bernama, Dr. Izani mentioned that although the allocation was slightly lower than last year’s RM104.4 million, it would still be effectively utilised to repair damaged roads across all districts following Aidilfitri. The allocation would particularly focus on periodic paving in the Gua Musang district, with an estimated cost of about RM10.7 million covering 11 roads.

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Order Books For The Jaecoo J7 Will Open on April 10th, Priced Between RM150k – RM160k

It is officially official, the order books for the Jaecoo J7 will be open on April 10. In a statement issued to the media today, Jaecoo Malaysia announced that the company will begin accepting orders in two days.

For those interested in the newest brand to hit Malaysian shores, registrations can be locked in at the Jaecoo Premier Experience roadshow located the 1Utama Shopping Centre, Level LG, Highstreet.

If visiting shopping centres is now your thing, you can also register via the company’s official Malaysian website.

But what about the price? Jaecoo has not confirmed anything yet but rather has simply teased us by saying that the C-Segment SUV will have a price tag of below RM200,000.

There will also be two variants – the Jaecoo J7 all-wheel-drive that is estimated to be priced at RM160,000, where else the two wheel drive variant will be priced at RM150,000.

As for colour, there are four options – Moonlight Silver, Carbon Crystal Black, Khaki White and Model Green.

Delivery time will depend on the volume of registration, but are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year. Test drives will be rolled out later in May.

The Jaecoo J7 is powered by a 1.6 TGDI engine that produces 194hp and 290Nm of torque. Power is sent to the wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Jaecoo positions itself as a “prominent player in the off-road market worldwide”, and has earlier said that it has amassed a devoted following in over a dozen countries in just nine months.

Report: 95% of Malaysian Speeding Tickets Are For Speeds Of 130kmh To 170kmh

Since the commencement of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2024 special operations on April 1, the Road Transport Department (RTD) has identified 16,142 instances of speeding through the Automated Awareness Safety System cameras.

Datuk Lokman Jamaan, the RTD senior enforcement director, revealed that a staggering 95 percent of these violations involved drivers traveling at speeds ranging from 130 km/hour to 170 km/hour, while the remaining five percent exceeded 170 km/hour.

Expressing concern over these findings, Lokman emphasized the crucial role of drivers in ensuring their safety as well as that of fellow road users by adhering to prescribed speed limits.

“Drivers must take more responsibility for their safety and the safety of other road users by observing the prescribed speed limits,” he emphasized during a press briefing held at the Integrated Motorcycle Operations event in Meru Raya.

Highlighting the potential impact of responsible driving on accident rates and fatalities, Lokman stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance, particularly during festive seasons. He further disclosed that the RTD had issued 26,313 notices to road users for various violations of road safety regulations and laws during the nationwide Special Motorcycle Ops conducted from April 1 to 6.

Additionally, as part of these operations, 1,464 motorcycles were seized for non-compliance with regulations.

Demand For Rental Cars Surges, Local Company Fully Booked Out

According to a report published by NST, the demand for rental cars during the Hari Raya holidays has surged significantly, with some rental companies reporting full bookings since the start of Ramadan.

Mohd Shuib Bahari, the manager of Subcar car rental service, revealed that their fleet of 20 multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) has been completely reserved, with customers booking for a minimum duration of at least one week.

The booked MPVs include popular models such as the Perodua Alza, Toyota Wish, Hyundai Starex, Toyota Alphard, and Toyota Vellfire.

During the Hari Raya season, customers typically prefer MPVs, especially those with large families, as they offer ample seating capacity and storage space for long-distance travel. Mohd Shuib expressed gratitude for the encouraging response from customers.

Regarding pricing, Mohd Shuib explained that rental rates vary depending on the type of vehicle. For instance, the daily rental fee is RM200 for the Perodua Alza, RM450 for the Hyundai Starex, and between RM700 to RM800 for the Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire. However, prices may increase for last-minute bookings, with rates ranging from RM250 to RM350 per day for the Perodua Alza.

He observed that most customers booking rental cars are those returning to celebrate Hari Raya in the east coast and northern regions, reflecting the seasonal nature of the demand.

Chery Omoda 5 Brake Issue, This Is The Full Story

Social media can be an incredibly toxic place, but it also has its benefits. Facebook user JC Jess found the power of social media when she uploaded a video complaining about her car on April 6th.

The video, which has since received 1.4 million views, 13,000 likes and 49 comments, is about her experience with her Chery Omoda.

The caption is in Chinese (Mandarin we assume) and according to Google Translate says, “Never buy a Chery Omoda. My car is just over two months old and I have already gone to the service centre several times because of the brakes. I just came out of the service centre and suddenly there are no brakes on the highway!! This almost took my life!!”

From the post, it seems like the issue has been lingering and the service centre simply brushed it away. The video that she posted can be seen below:

Chery Malaysia was quick to respond though, and the company issued a press statement on Sunday afternoon clarifying that they have already been in touch with the complainant to resolve the issue. To ensure her safety, a courtesy car was offered while they looked into her car.

The complete statement from Chery Malaysia can be seen below:

Some comments on social media are chiding the company for reacting only when the issue became viral. However, it is important to note that customers only deal with the dealerships and service managers, who sometimes brush things under the carpet.

Occasionally, the distributor, which in this case is Chery Malaysia, will be informed, which does not seem to be the case here.

Chery Malaysia should be commended for reacting to the problem as quickly as they did, practically racing to resolving the issue.

As for what happened to the car, we are yet to find out as there is no further information. But this issue does bring to light that Malaysia badly needs “Lemon Laws” to protect consumers in the event of such issues. Here’s what a Minister had to say about the proposed law.

It is also important to take note that any vehicle that is mass produced is susceptible to problems. Out of 100 cars that are produced, manufacturers have an acceptable error rate, which can be as high as 3 out of every 100, or even as low as 1 out of every 1,000,000. So such things do happen, so it up to the car maker to fix it and fix it fast. In this case, Chery Malaysia should be commended.

Has It Happened Before?

Not in Malaysia but it has unfortunately happened before. We picked up on reports from Australia dating back to February of this year where a total of 5,901 cars were found to have defective brakes, resulting in a mass recall. The recall involved the Omoda 5 but it is important to note that not all Omoda 5’s sold were affected. The issue involved a brake fluid leak resulting from a screw that was not fastened properly. We are not sure if the Australian cars are the same as Malaysian ones, but since both drive on the same side of the road, they are unlikely to differ mechanically but perhaps some features might be different. You can read the full Australian recall involving the Omoda 5 here.

Pro-Net Obtains RM200 Million From CIMB For Import And Distribution of smart Vehicles

In a significant move that provides stability for growth and capturing of market share, Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (Pro-Net), a wholly owned subsidiary of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd, has announced that it has obtained RM200 million in financing from CIMB Bank Berhad.

The funds are for its green mobility initiative and the importation and distribution of the smart #1 EV for the Malaysian market.

PRO-NET is the exclusive authorised importer and distributor for smart vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand, particularly the smart #1 for now with more models in the pipeline.

With a comprehensive ecosystem spanning 13 dealer locations, aftersales services, as well as a user-friendly digital app known as ‘Hello smart’ to provide access to over 70% of the public charging network, PRO-NET offers a holistic electric mobility solution together with the reassurance of a robust customer service plan.

The company is also charged with fulfilling national carmaker PROTON’s commitment to its electric vehicle agenda and is set to play a pivotal role as it leads the transition towards the production of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) and the development of the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjong Malim.

CIMB on the other hand provides an array of solutions for the consumer EV segment with the introduction of its comprehensive suite of EV financial solutions to drive the adoption of EVs and support the shift towards sustainable mobility across ASEAN. These include preferential auto financing rates, insurance protection and a range of other exclusive privileges, facilitating consumer needs across every aspect of owning an EV.

UMW Toyota Posts Impressive Sales For Month of March While Q1 Sales Drops

After enjoying a bull run, sales for UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) seems to have stabilised as the company ended March 2204 with total sales of 9,688 units for Toyota and Lexus models combined. This comprises 9,471 units for Toyota and 217 units for Lexus and a total year-to-date sales as of March 2024 of 23,444.

This figure is down from the 25,219 units sold in the same period of 2023, which can be attributed to the rush to register cars before the SST exemption expired, and perhaps even the pent up demand from the post pandemic era.

UMW Toyota (UMWT) does not reveal sales by model so there is no telling which model took the lead in sales.

In the commercial sector, UMWT has raised the bar with the introduction of the all-new Toyota HiAce Panel Van 3.0L. Powered by a 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel engine, the new van offers 136PS and 300Nm for effortless cargo transport.

Complementing that is the new Toyota HiAce Super Long Wheelbase (SLWB), which boasts significant size enhancements for increased interior space, offering unparalleled comfort for passengers and cargo. Equipped with a powerful 2.7-litre turbo-diesel engine, the HiAce SLWB promises robust performance with 177 PS and 450 Nm of torque.

Proton DX Encourages STEM Learning For All Ages At Its Centre In Quill City Mall

It has been almost a year since Proton DX, the country’s first automotive digital centre that houses a blend of interactive technology, leisure and lifestyle elements, was launched.

With an aim to be the centre for automotive and technological learning for all ages, Proton DX also wants to spark interest in STEM learning among the younger generation.

STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is considered an important aspect in human capital development for Malaysia, and recently received an allocation of RM100 million in the 2024 budget for the empowerment of STEM. The budget is for the maintenance and upgrading of existing facilities and the purchase of equipment.

To cultivate interest and foster understanding of STEM, Proton DX, an ACO Tech development in collaboration with Proton and China Construction Bank (CCB), announced its availability as a community engagement platform for STEM exploration.

The centre hosts a monthly Student Robotic Car Workshop targeting secondary school students. At the workshop, students learn the basics of assembling and programming their own mini autonomous vehicle using an Arduino platform.

Over 50 Malaysian youths across the Klang Valley, including a group of 20 students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, have participated in the workshop. Students who complete this workshop receive a certificate and goodie bag.

ACO Tech is targeting to engage with at least 200 Malaysian youths through this workshop and other upcoming STEM activities by the end of 2024.

In order to maximise the facilities on offer, Proton DX is also actively welcoming collaborations from local companies in search of a platform to conduct events and workshops promoting STEM awareness and education among Malaysian youths. Activities that can foster unity among local communities are also welcome.

PROTON DX also welcomes visitors of all ages to visit the centre. Visitors get to learn about ACO Tech’s technologies and products, and experience engaging activities available in Proton DX such as the Virtual Cockpit, a virtual drive in a purpose- built enclosed theatre-like dome to experience smart mobility. Proton DX is also able to model a bespoke virtual cockpit experience for partners at trade shows such as E-Mobility Asia.

Proton DX has a carefully laid out floor plan that allows it to be a space for community engagements such as networking sessions and barista classes by Proton DX’s very own certified barista.

The centre, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, has a space spanning over 5,000 square feet that can fit around 40 guests comfortably at any given time, including a private VIP lounge equipped with an 86-inch TV for meetings.

The centre opens daily from 10:00AM to 10:00PM and is located at Ground Floor, Quill City Mall, 1018, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

For collaborative events, schools, universities, local businesses, and potential partners can reach out via protondx@acotech.my or its Facebook or Instagram pages.

Chery Malaysia Introduces New Aurora Green Colour For Tiggo 8 Pro – Limited To 120 Units Only!

Chery Malaysia has introduced a vibrant new colour for the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations.

Chery’s Tiggo 8 Pro will now be available in Aurora Green, a unique yet pleasant soft green colour that seems to be quite popular among car makers these days.

The Aurora Green will only be available for the Tiggo 8 Pro for the moment, which is befitting since it is the flagship SUV.

The Tiggo 8 Pro first made its debut in the Malaysian market back in July of 2023, and has endeared itself to Malaysians, which is no surprise since it offers impressive value for money.

The combination of a spacious interior, advanced features and safety tech as well as a powerful 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine makes it difficult to ignore.

The engine offers 256hp and 390Nm of torque with power sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The interior is comfortable with some of the best seats in its category. Features include wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a 540-degree Panoramic Camera, a gargantuan 24.6-inch dual-screen display, and a Sony audio system.

It also offers an array of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Detection, among others of course.

But what is truly impressive however is the refinement levels that it offers. It achieves this by using soundproof Acoustic Glass that keeps the interior silent and isolated from the hustle and bustle of the world outside.

The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro is undeniably one of the finest SUV’s in its segment today, and the new Aurora Green further adds a touch of class to an already good-looking SUV. However, you have to be quick if you like the colour as it is available to just 120 units, lending it a touch of exclusivity.

Priced from RM159,800, the Tiggo 8 Pro comes with a comprehensive warranty package that includes 7-years of coverage or up to 150,000km, along with a complimentary 5-years of labour service.

Customers also have the option to enhance their coverage by topping up an additional sum of RM 2,000 for the Extended Warranty Package, which provides a 10-year warranty or 1,000,000KM for their vehicle’s engine.

Additionally, Chery Malaysia is currently offering the Extra Peace of Mind Package, which includes a 10-year extended vehicle engine warranty or 1,000,000KM and 7-years of service maintenance, all for just RM 11,600.

So is the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro the best SUV in its segment? Is it a better buy than a Proton X90? Read our full review of the Tiggo 8 Pro here, and check out the comparison video below: