Local News Archives

Changed to New Car as Old One Often Breaks Down – Sanusi

The Kedah Menteri Besar explained that he changed to a new car because the old one often breaks down. According to him it is or official use.

Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md. Nor said that the high cost of maintenance and repairs of the previous car made it no longer worth using. He also said the state government has never bought a car for the Menteri Besar since May 2020 and he has only used cars bought by the previous Menteri Besar.

“Those two old Mercedes-Benz used to break down in the middle of the road, sometimes tilted to one side, sometimes lifted due to suspension problems.

“They have reached a stage that is no longer economical, but we continued to repair it because they looked like they were still good but it costs up to RM50,000 to repair.

“The new car is not a luxury car, it’s ordinary… if I want to buy it myself, I have money, I can buy two.

“It’s not very expensive, but the government has already bought it. Those who are jealous will buy it when they become the Menteri Besar,” he said.

Previously, the issue of the Korean-made Hyundai Palisade sports utility vehicle (SUV) priced between RM368,888 to RM399,888, which was used by Muhammad Sanusi with the registration number KCX8, went viral on social media.

Muhammad Sanusi said, the purchase of that type of car is based on his needs because it is more rugged and suitable for his tens of thousands of kilometers of travelling a month.

“If you look at my movements as menteri besar, you cannot will give up and not follow. I travel tens of thousands of kilometers a month, so I have to have a tough car,” he said.

Decision to Resume Search for MH370 this May

The decision to resume the search for MH370 will be known this May. The decision will be made after the meeting with Ocean Infinity.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he will personally meet with representatives of the seabed exploration firm to discuss the contract and the proposed search mission. His ministry has already made an appointment with Ocean Infinity for them to present a proposal.

The Ministry of Transport will then propose to the Cabinet after that.

Anthony Loke also emphasized that the search principle is “no find, no fee”. This proposal needs to be approved by the Cabinet because there are financial implications and promises if the plane is found.

Ocean Infinity previously searched the Indian Ocean from 2017 until the search mission was called off in 2018.

But in early March, the company based in Texas, United States claimed to have new scientific evidence about the final location of MH370.

Loke said that, so far, his side is waiting for a proposal from Ocean Infinity first, especially the focus of their search, before any decision is made.

Flight MH370 carrying 239 passengers and crew disappeared on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, before it was announced to have ended up in the Indian Ocean.

Case of Police Officer Killing Student Transferred to High Court

The case of a senior police officer who allegedly caused the death of a student was transferred to the Ipoh High Court, for a criminal procedure hearing.

The senior officer who holds the rank of Assistant Superintendent (DSP) is accused of killing a Form 5 student who was also a candidate for the SPM examination on 5 December 2023.

Magistrate S. Punitha allowed Deputy Public Prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz’s request to transfer and try the case in the High Court, in accordance with Section 177A(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

However, the date for the case to be mentioned in the High Court has not been decided.

On December 18 last year, Mohd Nazri was accused of causing the death of Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie, 17, at Jalan Taman Jati 1, near SMK Jati, in the Kinta district, here, between 12.05pm and 12.40pm, last December 15.

In the tragic incident, Mohd. Nazri, who was waiting to pick up his wife who is a teacher at the victim’s school, got angry when he heard Zaharif revving his friend’s motorcycle engine.

Nazri is alleged to have chased the victim for a distance of one kilometer before hitting the victim with his car, causing serious injuries to his chest and stomach. The victim’s sister, who is a nurse, was near the accident area and administered CPR to her half-conscious brother.

Unfortunately, the victim was declared as deceased by the ambulance team that arrived later.

The accused’s wife said that her husband was “hot-tempered and couldn’t listen to people revving motorcycles.”

Offences under Section 302 of the Penal Code which calls for the death penalty, or imprisonment for a minimum of 30 years and not exceeding 40 years, and if not sentenced to death shall also be punished with no less than 12 lashes of the cane.

F1 is Four Times Dearer than MotoGP – KBS

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kementerian Belia dan Sukan/KBS) informed that organizing F1 (Formula One) is four times more expensive than MotoGP (World Motorcycle Championship). In fact, MotoGP is cheaper than Formula E too.

Its minister, Hannah Yeoh, said the expenditure was RM53.2 million for the organization of MotoGP, while F1 required a capital of around RM228 million. For Formula E (Formula Electric), the cost is estimated at around RM120 million.

“Although everyone says organising this is good, organising that is good, we have to look at affordability and people’s interest in the sport.

“Why MotoGP? As I said, 182,000 visitors will come and the Sepang International Circuit needs this MotoGP event,” she said.

Hannah said this during the closing session of the debate on the KBS Supplementary Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat, today.

Hannah added, there are parties trying to organize F1 without the government’s knowledge even though they bid and got the right.

“After bidding, they came to see us and said we have received the bid and want money to organize (F1). So it is not fair for the government if there is a party that bids without getting approval,” he said.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: So does the government bear all the expenses of organizing MotoGP? Often not because there are corporate companies that will sponsor the event. For example, Shell hosted the Shell Malaysia MotoGP from 2022 to 2023, and Petronas will take over as the main sponsor from this year. There are also other sponsors apart from the main sponsors. However, they did not disclose the amount of money they sponsored.

Modenas Ninja ZX-25RR Launched (from RM36,500)

The up-specced Modenas Ninja ZX-25RR has been launched in Malaysia. The launch was announced by Edaran Modenas Sdn. Bhd. (EMOS), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn. Bhd. (MODENAS), today.

The Modenas ZX-25R SE has enjoyed a good reception from Malaysian motorcycle enthusiasts and continues to sell well, mostly due to its howling inline-four engine, amongst other things. It is no slouch either, pushing out 46.3 hp (34.5 kW) and 22 Nm of torque.

On the other hand, the ZX-25RR version brings a better suspension system to the table, as per Kawasaki/Modenas tradition, for example the Z900 vs. Z900 SE.

The highlight of the Modenas Ninja ZX-25RR is the rear suspension, consisting of a Showa Horizontal Back-Link BFRC (Balance Free Rear Cushion) Lite gas-charged monoshock. It offers compression and rebound damping in addition to preload adjustments, plus a top-out spring. So, better customisation according to rider weight, riding style and riding environment.

Its front suspension retains the same Showa 37mm SFF-BP (Separate Function Forks-Big Piston) forks, adjustable for preload.

Other features include the advanced electronics and rider aids, including Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), and riding modes. Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS), Assist & Slipper Cluth are retained.

Apart from those, both models also feature the TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity via the Rideology app. Riders can sync music, make and receive calls, as well as navigation.

The Modenas Ninja ZX25-RR is available in two colours, namely the traditional Lime Green, and the additional Ebony. Recommended Retail Price (RRP) is RM36,500 (not on the road). It will be available at Kawasaki All-Star Dealer showrooms by end March 2024.

For more information about the Modenas ZX-25RR and Kawasaki’s complete range of motorcycles, please visit http://www.kawasaki.com.my. You can also contact their Toll-Free Line at 1-800-880-008 or reach out to their WhatsApp Careline at +6019-570 8135.

Where do the Funds from Special Registration Number Sales Go?

One of the many frequent questions asked by motorists is “Where do the funds from special registration number sales go?”

Where did the funds go?

During the question and answer session in Parliament today, Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar) sought information on the revenue generated from Special Registration Number (NPI – Nombor Pendaftaran Istimewa) bidding offers. He also requested fordetails about the initiatives undertaken by the ministry in utilising NPI proceeds from 2018 to 2023.

The Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke Siew Fook answered that all revenue generated is channeled into the Federal Consolidated Fund. Also, the Ministry of Transport does not benefit from the proceeds of vehicle number plate sales.

The Minister went on to state that the total revenue from special registration number sales in 2023 reached RM311.8 million, which included proceeds from the sale of special registration numbers totaling RM21 million.

A portion of the funds were used to cover the driving test fees for motorcycle B2 class, e-hailing, and taxi licences, which benefitted over 40,000 underprivileged youths.

He also stated that 100,000 helmets, including children’s helmets, were also distributed free of charge to financially disadvantaged families.

“The FLYsiswa initiative will be continued to benefit nearly 60,000 students from low-income families, especially in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, along with financial initiatives by Perkeso (Social Security Organisation) for nearly 50,000 taxi drivers, rental car drivers, and school bus drivers,” he said.

Loke added that the ministry had recently introduced the NPI for the GOLD series, with total collection amounting to RM17 million thus far.

“As mentioned earlier, the GOLD1 serial number was bid by His Majesty, the King of Malaysia, for RM1.5 million, contributing to government revenue. Half of these proceeds were returned to the Ministry of Transport for the implementation of initiatives as stated,” he highlighted.

Scam activities involving vehicle plate sales

A supplementary inquiry from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) was brought up, concerning concerns on social media alleging fraudulent activities related to vehicle registration number sales on social media.

The Minister urged the public to only bid through the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and cautioned against purchasing from third-party sources, to prevent falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

“If you intend to bid, use the government’s JPJ e-bidding system, avoid third-party channels. Raising awareness is vital as we aim for the revenue to contribute to government funds, enabling us to implement more initiatives to assist the people,” he emphasised.

New Vehicle Sales Dipped in February

As expected, new vehicle sales dipped in February 2024 compared to January 2024.

According to the Automotive Association of Malaysia (AAM), there were 62,833 units sold in February 2024, compared to 65,499 in January 2024. It was a 4% decrease, due to the shorter month and shorter working days following the Chinese New Year holiday.

Of that number, 57,979 were passenger vehicles, while another 4,584 were commercial vehicles. When compared to the same period last year, a total of 56,443 passenger vehicles, and 7,128 commercial vehicles were sold.

Total sales as of February 2024 were 128,332 units, which is 13 percent higher than 113,729 units in the same period in 2023.

In terms of manufacturing, vehicle production rose 3% to 65,611 in February 2024 compared to 63,798 in February 2023.

Of that number, 61,935 units were passenger vehicles (up 3 percent from 59,843 units in the same month last year), while the remaining 3,676 units were commercial vehicles (down 7 percent from the previous 3,955 units).

New vehicle sales are expected to increase in March 2024, following fast deliveries by the company as the financial year will end on March 31, 2024, as well as various Hari Raya Aidilfitri promotional campaigns.

JDT Racing Team, Hafizh Syahrin takes First ARRC 2024 Podium

Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team and Hafizh Syahrin took their inaugural podium finish in the FIM Asia Motorcycle Championship (ARRC) 2024, thereby achieving their hopes, yesterday. The first ARRC 2024 round took place at the Buriram International Circuit, Thailand.

Hafizh who rode a Ducati V4 R in the Asian Superbike 1000cc (ASB1000) class made up for the disappointment of failing to finish in Race 1 on Saturday. He had to withdraw due to technical problems on his motorcycle.

Regardless, he was able to ride consistently in Race 2. He was also able to lead the race at one stage, but was overtaken by Indonesian rider Andi Farid Izdihar (Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo) to finish the race as the winner.

Andi’s teammate from Thailand, Nakarin Atiratphuvapa crossed the finish line in third place. Yuki Kunii (SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda Philippines), and another Malaysian rider, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (TKKR BMW Racing Team) rounded out the top five.

The first race witnessed Azlah Shah’s amazing performance. He had started from 7th place on the grid and was able to overtake every rider in front of him until catching he caught the leader Nakarin who was already quite far ahead. Azlan then overtook Nakarin on the 9th lap and led until the end of the race.

Behind Azlan, Andi was able to overtake Nakarin for second place, while the Malaysian rider, Md. Zaqhwan Zaidi (Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo) jumped to third place.

FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2024, ASB1000 Overall Standings (Top 5)
Pelumba	Pasukan	Mata
1. Andi Farid Izdihar (INA)	Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo	45
2. Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (MAS)	TKKR BMW Racing Team	36
3. Nakarin Atiratphuvapa (THA)	Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo	27
4. Md. Zaqhwan Zaidi (MAS)	Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo	26
5. Yuki Kunii (JPN)	(SDG Team HARC-PRO Honda Philippines)	26

8 Vehicles Owned by Tobacco, Liquor, Cigarette Smugglers Confiscated

Eight luxury vehicles estimated to be worth around RM6 million were seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). All vehicles are owned by individuals who are allegedly involved in tobacco, alcohol and cigarette smuggling syndicates.

The vehicles consisted of two Lamborghinis, two Toyotas, and one Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo each.

The vehicles were seized in a special operation around the Klang Valley carried out by MACC’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Division, since last Monday in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

“The vehicles were seized from several individuals who held positions as company owners as well as middlemen who bribed officials in an enforcement agency,” according to MACC sources.

The syndicate is suspected of money laundering by using licensed money lending companies, money changers, and ‘ghost company’ business accounts.

The syndicate’s smuggling activities are believed to have caused the loss of tax revenue estimated at more than RM400 million.

They are also suspected of giving more than RM8 million in bribes to several individuals including civil servants to launch smuggling activities.

MACC AML Director, Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin confirmed the seizure of the vehicles and the arrested individuals were investigated under Section 17(a) and Section 17(b) of the MACC Act 2009.

Heatwave Hits Peninsular Malaysia

It is official: The heatwave hits Peninsular Malaysia, no sooner than when the Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) issued the warnings in the last days of February.

Pokok Sena, Kedah was issued a Level 2 heatwave warning yesterday. It was the second time the area has received the alert, following the first on February 28th.

Pokok Sena was hot (pun intended) on the heels of the entire state of Perlis which was issued a Level 2 alert on Friday. However, it was downgraded to Level 1 status yesterday.

Level 1 warnings were also issued for several areas of West Malaysia as advised by MetMalaysia as of 4.30pm yesterday:

Kuala Lumpur.
Kedah: Padang Terap, Sik, Baling, Kuala Muda, Pendang and Kota Setar.
Perak: Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, and Kampar.
Pahang: Raub, Temerloh, and Bera.
Selangor: Hulu Selangor.

A Level 1 alert is issued when temperatures at a particular location are between 35 and 37°C over 3 consecutive days.

A Level 2 warning is issued whenever temperatures hover between 37 and 40°C over three consecutive days.

Drought monitoring

According to MetMalaysia’s drought monitoring report on March 13, Chuping in Perlis, Kota Baru in Kelantan, Melaka and Sitiawan in Perak recorded moderately dry and very dry readings.

Chuping, the hottest town in Malaysia, recorded a sizzling 37.9°C for the entire February due to no rainfall. However, the highest temperature on record was 40.1 °C on 9th April 1998.

The National Water Commission’s war room site revealed that water levels at dams in Perlis and Kedah were at warning levels:

Perlis: Timah Tasoh dam was at 59.72% capacity.
Kedah: The Muda dam was at 47.8% capacity, BS Padang Saga (59.83%) and Malut (45.8%).
Penang: Air Hitam dam only at 37.7% capacity.
Johor: Sembrong Barat dam only at 35.23% capacity.

Advise for our fellow bikers

Please remember to stay hydrated and stop if you feel dizzy as that could be a sign of heat exhaustion or worse, a heatstroke. DO NOT take the symptoms lightly. Please refer to these tips on how to keep cool while riding in hot weather.

Lewis Hamilton Encourages Students to Embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

Seven-time Formula One (F1) champion and driver for the Petronas Mercedes team, Lewis Hamilton encouraged students to embrace and take advantage of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. He gave this advice when he visited Seri Keramat National Secondary School, last Friday.

His surprise visit was in conjunction with the school coming out tops among 39 other schools in a responsible waste management competition. The competition was led by Petronas Chemicals Group.

Hamilton also conducted some experiments with the school’s students. He expressed his happiness after meeting the students of the school, and praised their interest in the field of science at a young age.

The principal of SMK Seri Keramat, Noraini Ibrahim, said she was happy to witness the school’s efforts to integrate environmentally friendly initiatives into its curriculum because she believes in fostering student awareness of the importance of sustainable efforts and practices over time and that can build an environmentally conscious community. around.

General Manager (Communications Management), Petronas Group Strategic Communications, Khairul Hisham Mazlan said, the program is in line with one of PETRONAS’ social impacts ‘Planting for Tomorrow’ which focuses on educating young people about the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable living.

Cops Begin Publishing Daily Road Accident Statistics

The Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT – Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik) of the Royal Malaysian Police has begun publishing daily road accident statistics, starting from Thursday, 14th March 2024. It is a move highlighted by the Malaysian Transport Minister a while ago.

Director of the Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Saperi said there were 1,999 cases of road accidents that resulted in 12 deaths last Thursday.

Statistics for Friday, March 15, 2024 decreased by 121 cases to 1,878 cases. However, the number of deaths increased to 16 cases.

“The release of statistical data to the public is a step to increase the awareness of road users and the public how serious accidents are every day,” he said in a statement yesterday (Friday).

The police also called for all road users to always follow the rules and ensure that road laws are obeyed. He explained that cooperation from the public is expected to further increase awareness of the importance of maintaining safety and thus reduce the rate of road accidents.”

Note from the author: The numbers are still at an alarming level, as on average, there were 83.3 and 78.3 accidents per hour on Thursday and Friday respectively. In terms of deaths, the daily average was 1 every 2 hours on Thursday, and 2 every 3 hours on Friday.

One Motorcyclist Dies every Two Hours

Bikesrepublic

Local News

Changed to New Car as Old One Often Breaks Down – Sanusi

Decision to Resume Search for MH370 this May

Case of Police Officer Killing Student Transferred to High Court

F1 is Four Times Dearer than MotoGP – KBS

Modenas Ninja ZX-25RR Launched (from RM36,500)

Where do the Funds from Special Registration Number Sales Go?

Where did the funds go?

Scam activities involving vehicle plate sales

New Vehicle Sales Dipped in February

JDT Racing Team, Hafizh Syahrin takes First ARRC 2024 Podium

8 Vehicles Owned by Tobacco, Liquor, Cigarette Smugglers Confiscated

Heatwave Hits Peninsular Malaysia

Drought monitoring

Advise for our fellow bikers

Lewis Hamilton Encourages Students to Embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

Cops Begin Publishing Daily Road Accident Statistics

Buy a Kawasaki, Get Another One For Free!

37,709 Summons Issued in 13 Days of Ops Khas Motosikal

KTM Parent Pierer Mobility Group Removes Four Directors

Berjaya Sompo Champions Safer Riding and Talent Development Through Motorsport Sponsorship

Kuala Lumpur Hit by Flash Floods

Trailer Rams Six Vehicles due to Brake Problem

New Colours for 2024 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES

2024 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS Arrives in Malaysia

2025 Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark and 2025 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle Launched

Buy a New Honda RS-X Campaign and Earn RM300 Reward

2025 Benda Napoleon Bob 250 Coming to Malaysia

Meet the Riders – The Four Personas of Yamaha PG-1

Archive

Pierer Mobility Looking for Cash Infusion, Will They Sell off Brands?

Hulala Bike Fiesta Returns For 2024 – Enjoy Big Discounts!

Glossary of Motorcycle Terms – “E”

Can-Am Origin and Can-Am Pulse Revealed

2025 Yamaha R9 Launched, Not the R1’s Replacement

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

BikesRepublic