The Malaysian government will not provide free tolls for this year’s festive season.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said this was because the government had decided last year would be the last year for free tolls.
He said the decision, which was made at a cabinet meeting last year, would however be replaced with a more targeted approach.
“If it follows the decision (of the cabinet), there will be none. If there are, there may be other considerations, we will announce them. (Regarding free tolls for Chinese New Year).
“The government has also coordinated subsidies for a more targeted approach for Malaysians, the details of which we will announce in the near future,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after officiating the opening of Section 2 of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) here, today.
The Chinese New Year celebration starting on January 29 is the first festive season this year.
Meanwhile, Alexander said that an estimated 150,000 users per day will use the WCE to travel from the West Coast of Selangor to Perak and then to the North.
The government has been spending RM38 million annually on toll exemptions.
Hong Leong Yamaha Motor has introduced a new colourway for the 2025 Yamaha R15M, called Signature Black.
The Yamaha R15 was first launched way back in 2018 in Malaysia, before the R15M reached Malaysia in 2022. Following its bigger brother, the YZF-R1M, the “M” means the variant has better features. As such, the R15M has a quickshifter, traction control, Yamaha Y-Connect, LED lights with DRL.
Additionally, the R15M’s design and colourways are inspired by the R1M, including this year’s edition.
However, the 2025 Yamaha R15M retains the same 155cc, single-cylinder, SOHC with VVA engine capable of producing 19hp (14.2kW) peak power at 10,000rpm and 14.7Nm of peak torque at 8,500rpm. The engine power is sent through a assist and slipper clutch, and a six speed gearbox.
To reiterate, the fuel tank capacity is 11 litres and Yamaha claims a kerb weight of 140kg.
The recommended selling price remains at RM14,988. Buyers will receive a Yamaha disc lock worth RM100.
The 2025 Honda CBR650R and 2025 Honda CB650R equipped with the Honda E-Clutch electronic clutch technology have arrived in Malaysia at long last.
The E-Clutch system retains the clutch lever and gear lever, thus allowing for manual gear shifting without utilising the lever in all aspects of riding such as while idling, moving from stop, and while the motorcycle is in motion. It basically turns a big bike into a big kapchai with automatic clutch. The clutch lever is retained and can be pulled manually by the rider should he desires so, for example when he wants to half-clutch when riding through traffic, etc. The technology is different from Honda’s own Dual-Clutch Transmisson (DCT). We will run a feature about this later.
Highlights of 2025 Honda CBR650R and 2025 Honda CBR650R
The Neo Sports Café roadster of the CB650 range, while the CBR650R is the sportbike.
Both are powered by a 649cc, four-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve engine, which delivers 94hp (70kW) at 12,000 RPM and 63Nm of torque at 9,500 RPM.
Front suspension consists of 41mm Showa Separate Function front Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks.
Rear suspension consists of a monoshock adjustable for preload.
Updates include a new TFT screen, LED lighting, a USB Type-C charging port.
The TFT screen connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. The rider can access navigation and music streaming functions via the Honda RoadSync app.
Electronic rider assistance include Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and 2-channel ABS.
The 2025 Honda CB650R is offered in new colours called Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, Matte Laurel Green Metallic, and Candy Chromosphere Red, at the selling price of RM47,999.
The 2025 Honda CBR650R is offered in Grand Prix Red, and Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, at the selling price of RM49,999.00.
Certain brands place a lot of emphasis and create copy-proof measures at great expense. We are therefore starting this series of articles to look at how these brands protect their customers and intellectual property, starting with Komine.
The saying goes, “Imitation is the best form of flattery.” In other words, a brand is considered to be “there” when it is copied. But is it really? Of course it is not good – even destructive – for a the original maker’s reputation and bottom line, but it can also be dangerous to wear fake riding gear.
Fake gloves sold at a ridiculous price. It’s too good to be true
Why is it dangerous to wear fake gear?
There are standards governing motorcycle gear, from head to toe, starting from the helmet, to the padding in jacket, gloves, pants, and footwear. These standards ensure that the products are tested and proven to protect against injury. Manufacturers who wish to sell their gear must conform to these standards.
The most common standard is the European CE standard, which is adopted in more than 60 countries around the world. Certain European countries mandate that motorcyclists wear CE-approved gear, and the rider could be fined or his insurance claim voided (if he is involved in an accident) should be found not wearing CE-approved gear.
Not so with fakers. Their product may look the same, feel the same, even smell the same, but they are not the same because they are not tested to these exacting standards. Some tests carried out by bloggers and authorities have found that these copycat gear actually endanger the wearer instead of providing any form of protection.
Who is Komine?
The Komine brand he company was founded in 1947 by Komine Shunsuke, a motorcycle enthusiast. Komine products are known for being affordable, high quality, and safe. The company is now based in Tokyo, Japan.
They make many forms of riding gear, including helmets, and are the main suppliers to the Japanese traffic police.
Komine places rider safety and security above other concerns and as such, most of their jackets and pants feature CE-Level 2 protection padding.
How do you tell if the Komine product is genuine?
Every Komine’s wearable product i.e. jacket, gloves, pants, footwear, leather racing suit feature a hologram tag. To verify if it is genuine:
Turn off your phone’s macro lens feature (the flower symbol).
Bring the camera close to the hologram tag.
You should see at least one “OK” mark. The mark does not appear sharp but it is done so by design.
Fake Komine goods in the market may feature such hologram tag, too, but the “OK” mark does not show.
JacketGlovesPantsFootwear
Conclusion
The issue of fake products is exacerbated by online shopping platforms where unscrupulous sellers claims that their products are “100% genuine.” However, it may be easy to tell when the item is offered at ridiculously cheap prices, sometimes with the excuse of “stock clearance” or “factory price”, so remember that it may be too good to be true.
Do buy from official channels for your own safety and a peace of mind.
Okay, that is all for Part 1 now. Stay tuned as we track down other brands.
The latest BMW R 12 (2025) has been launched in Malaysia.It is the successor to the R nineT series which has been in the market since 2013.
The BMW R 12 (2025) is a cruiser-style motorcycle for relaxed riding.The front wheel measures 19-inches while the rear wheel measures 16-inches.
Highlights:
As an “R” series model, it uses the flat-twin Boxer engine that is synonymous with BMW motorcycles.
The R 12 engine is the same as the R nineT’s, which is a 1170cc type that produces 95hp at 6,500 RPM and 110Nm at 6,000 RPM.There is also a different engine performance tuning for the R 12 nineT model that has not been launched here, which is 1170cc, 109hp at 7,000 RPM and 115Nm at 6,000 RPM.
BMW says the motorcycle can accelerate from rest to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 200 km/h.
New airbox.
New 6-speed gearbox with Shift Assistant Pro for clutchless gear changes.
A single-piece steel frame replaces the previous two-piece frame. BMW claims that the new frame is lighter and gives a cleaner look.
The suspension consists of 45mm upside-down forks up front, while there is a monoshock with adjustable preload and rebound damping. As is typical of the “R” range, there is a Paralever swingarm.
The front brakes use two 310mm brake discs and four-piston calipers. The rear brakes use a single disc with a 2-piston brake caliper.
BMW Motorrad ABS Pro is standard.
Electronic features include 2 riding modes, Rock and Roll.
There is also Cruise Control.
Dynamic Traction Control, as well as Engine Drag Torque Control which controls engine torque so that the rear wheel does not hop when downshifting aggressively.
This motorcycle is also equipped with the Hillstart Control feature which provides the best control when the motorcycle stops on a slope.
In addition, there is also the BMW Intelligent Emergency Call feature that makes an emergency call if the motorcycle is involved in an accident.
The LED lights are combined with Adaptive Headlight Pro and Dynamic Brake Lights.
Classic round speedometer.
The BMW R 12 (2025) is available in Aventurine Red Metallic.
A road accident caused by a 16-year-old driver has killed 5 victims. The incident occurred in Kuching, Sarawak, yesterday.
Kuching District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said that four of the victims, aged between 16 and 45, including a woman, died at the scene.
He said that another victim, a 16-year-old boy, was confirmed dead while receiving treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
“The accident on Jalan Teo Kui Seng-Stutong Baru at about 12.50pm occurred when a car from Jalan Lapangan Terbang heading towards Jalan Seria Raja lost control and skidded into the opposite lane.
“The car then crashed into two motorcycles and two cars in the opposite lane,” he said in a statement tonight.
Mohd Farhan said the 16-year-old boy who was driving the Proton Saga that crashed into four other vehicles is still receiving treatment at HUS due to a neck injury.
“Three other victims who also suffered injuries are also receiving further treatment at HUS,” he said.
The four other vehicles involved in the accident were a Toyota Altis, a Proton Saga and two motorcycles, a Yamaha and a Modenas.
According to him, the boy, who does not have a driving licence, will be detained after he receives treatment at HUS.
“He will be detained for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which is causing death by reckless and dangerous driving.
“If convicted, they can be sentenced to between five and 10 years in prison and a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM50,000,” he said.
He also appealed to the public who have information regarding the incident to contact traffic investigation officer, Assistant Superintendent Lucas Apin at 013-8246881 / 082- 259900 or any nearby police station.
Suzuki Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., in collaboration with the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA), launched the AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 at Dataran Ilmu, Selayang Stadium, today.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Transport of Malaysia, together with a host of guests of honour.
The campaign, themed “Share the Road, Ride Wisely” in 2025, is being organised for the 2nd time by Suzuki Malaysia and the 8th time by AFY Mobility Industries (AMI). It aims to raise awareness of road safety among motorcyclists, vehicle drivers, and the general public.
In his speech, YB Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah highlighted the alarming road accident statistics: “Based on the latest statistics from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), a total of 5,939 deaths were recorded from 585,729 accident cases reported up to November 2024. Of this total, 67% or 4,014 deaths involved motorcycle riders and pillion riders, with the majority consisting of youths aged 16 to 35 years. This group is now the largest contributor to the number of deaths due to road accidents.”
Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi also stressed the importance of having a valid driving license for motorcyclists: “I would like to draw the attention of all parties to the critical need to have a valid driving license before being allowed to ride a motorcycle on the road. This basic step is important to ensure the safety of all road users.”
He also reiterated the government’s commitment through the safety and enforcement agencies under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia in efforts to address this challenge and improve road safety for all users.
Campaign Activities and Programs
The campaign also offers various interesting activities to visitors, including:
Free motorcycle inspection – ‘16-point check’ by certified Suzuki Malaysia mechanics.
Replacement of 400 units of new helmets to motorcyclists.
Giving out children’s helmets as a symbolic measure to protect young passengers.
Exhibition of motorcycles and safety accessories.
Yang Berbahagia En. Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya, Executive Chairman of Suzuki Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Group in his speech emphasized Suzuki Malaysia’s commitment to continue supporting road safety initiatives, especially motorcyclists, for the well-being of the community.
Campaign Opening
The opening ceremony was concluded with a symbolic gong beating event by Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah, together with Yang Berbahagia Encik Yap Kiew San, Chairman of MMSDA, and Yang Berbahagia En. Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya.
Closing and Hope
The AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 provides various activities and educational opportunities to increase road safety awareness. With the cooperation of all parties, this campaign is expected to contribute to reducing accident rates and creating a safer road culture in Malaysia.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested 13 more Puspakom vehicle inspection officers. The total number of arrests now stands at 19 Puspakom officers, 1 agent, and 2 runners.
All the male suspects, aged between 20 and 40, were detained between 1pm and 2pm yesterday and 10am and 3pm today while they were giving statements at the MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya.
“Initial investigations found that all the suspects were believed to have received bribes of between RM150 and RM1,500 per month in cash from runners in return for helping to pass vehicle inspections where they were working.
“The arrest of all the suspects follows the arrest of six vehicle inspection officers last Monday and also the result of interrogation conducted by the MACC on an agent who was handed over by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) earlier,” said a source.
Meanwhile, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations), Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya when contacted confirmed the arrest and said that the case is being investigated under Section 16 (b) (A) of the MACC Act 2009.
However, he said that all 13 vehicle inspection officers who were arrested yesterday and today will be released on MACC bail after their statements are taken.
We have featured news on the arrest of 6 Puspkom vehicle inspection officers by the Anti-Corruption Commission Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) a few days ago. Following that, there were some rather interesting comments such as, “Provide a bigger lockup.” There was also an allegation by a lorry driver that he was denied approval three times until he hired the services of a ‘runner.’
It looks like Zontes has hit the sweet spot here in Malaysia, as there are already 1,300 bookings for the Zontes 368G scooter within one week of its official launch. It was launched on 2nd January 2025.
Begin Press Release:
ZONTES Malaysia is delighted to announce that, until now (9th January) the recently launched ZONTES 368G has received more than 1300 bookings. With a basic selling price (BSP) of RM28,800, this adventure scooter has become a popular choice among Malaysians who are seeking a versatile ride on the road, whether it is for daily commutes or light off-roading.
The ZONTES 368G Adventure Scooter is a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) model manufactured in a local CKD assembly plant in Jitra, Kedah. Riders can enjoy top-quality scooter features such as a larger-than-average fuel tank and extensive safety features at an inexpensive price. After the production and inspection stages, this model is scheduled to be delivered in March 2025, ensuring owners receive their product with utmost satisfaction.
In the meantime, interested buyers are welcome to arrange a viewing and make a booking at any authorised ZONTES dealer across Malaysia. On top of that, ZONTES Malaysia will be hosting a nationwide roadshow from 3rd January to 6th April 2025. Biking enthusiasts can seize this opportunity to have a closer view of this adventure scooter.
You may refer to this table for specific dates and details:
For more information on the ZONTES 368G, please visit the official website of ZONTES Malaysia at https://zontesmalaysia.com/
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested eight individuals, including six vehicle inspection officers, who were suspected of being involved in a syndicate that approved heavy vehicle inspections at a Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) in the capital.
Sources said that all the male suspects, aged between 30 and 50, were arrested when they appeared to give statements at the MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya from 12 noon to 11 pm.
“The arrest of all the suspects is the result of an interrogation conducted by the MACC on an agent who was handed over by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) earlier.
“However, the six vehicle inspection officers involved have been released on MACC bail after their statements were taken,” he said.
The six inspection officers have been suspended by Puspakom.
PUSPAKOM Chief Executive Officer Mahmood Razak Bahman said his party views the case seriously and will not tolerate any misconduct, especially involving the integrity of vehicle inspection operations.
“PUSPAKOM will not protect anyone involved in corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, two other individuals have been remanded for five days starting today until January 11.
The remand order was issued by Magistrate Irza Zulaikha after an application was made by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court, this morning.
Meanwhile, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations), Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and informed that the case is being investigated under Section 16 (b) (A) of the MACC Act 2009.
According to him, so far the MACC has arrested nine individuals and does not rule out the possibility of several follow-up arrests being made to assist in the investigation.
Boon Siew Honda announces new colours for the 2025 Honda Wave Alpha. The long-running model is popular among those who seek a simple, round-around motorcycle.
The rest of the bike stays unchanged. Hence it is powered by the same EEV (energy efficient vehicle)-certified 109.2cc engine with Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), which delivers optimised performance and enhanced fuel efficiency. The 7.3-litre under-seat storage space is still there, allowing for the rider to carry small items such as a rainsuit, jacket, or other personal belongings. The fuel tank capacity remains at 4.1 litres.
Braking is handled by a single disc up front and a drum brake at the back.
The new colours are called Silver, Blue, Red and the classic Black. Net selling price excluding road tax, insurance, and registration is RM5,309 for Silver, Blue, and Red, while the Black option sells for RM5,259.
For your peace of mind, Boon Siew Honda offers two years or 20,000 manufacturing warranty, whichever comes first. For more information, please click www.boonsiewhonda.com.my or visit the nearest Honda Impian X. Customers may also reach Boon Siew Honda via our toll-free number at 1-800-88-3993.
The Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands Road was blocked was blocked by a landslide on October 25, 2024, and was reopened on December 19. However, it is now blocked again by another landslide.
The landslide occurred on the main road in Kampung Raja near the Blue Valley junction, here, at about 3.15 am this morning due to continuous heavy rain.
The landslide caused the main route from Simpang Pulai/Lojing to Cameron Highlands to be blocked in both directions.
According to a statement from the Cameron Highlands District Disaster Management Secretariat, road users are advised to use an alternative route via Jalan Sungai Koyan in Lipis or Jalan Tapah to Cameron Highlands.
The Pahang Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) has been dispatched to the location to monitor the situation, provide assistance and ensure the safety of the area.
Work to remove the rubble is currently underway to reopen the route to users.
