Local News Archives

Hafizh Syahrin Hopes to Shine at ARRC

Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah is determined to shine at the first round of the Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Buriram, Thailand in the middle of this month.

The 29-year-old rider, who is also known by the nickname El Pescao, will ride the Ducati Panigale V4 R for the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team.

He has been practicing with the bike at the Sepang International Circuit recently in preparation for the race at the Chang International Circuit, Thailand.

“Honestly I have never ridden a V4 R throughout my career in racing but the electronic system found on the motorcycle and what the chief mechanic, Loris Caroli told me, the advantage of the motorcycle lies in the braking system.

“I can really feel the difference, especially the brake system which is more powerful compared to other motorcycles I’ve ridden in addition to the good suspension system when taking turns and stability from the acceleration aspect, especially on the straights.

“I can say that this V4R motorcycle is ‘friendly’ to the rider and I adapted quickly, but I need more training to learn more about the electronic system for faster riding,” said Hafizh.

He also described the biggest competitor is Markus Reiterberger who is the defending champion of the ASB1000 class in the championship. Hafizh also said that he does not underestimate the abilities of fellow Malaysian riders, Zaqhwan Zaidi and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.

Trader Dies while Travelling to RXZ Fighter Event

A trader died travelling to the RXZ Fighter event in Kuantan, Pahang. He is believed to have crashed at Kilometer 166.6 of the East Coast Highway (LPT).

Muhammad Lokman Abdul Aziz, 29, from Kampung Talang Masjid, Kuala Kangsar, Perak who was riding a Yamaha RX-Z motorcycle died at the scene of the accident.

Maran District Police Chief, Deputy Superintendent Mohamad Zamri Mohamad Zaber said, the investigation found that the motorcycle the victim was riding suddenly lost control and skidded to the left side of the road before hitting a metal road barrier.

The incident happened when the victim and 14 friends were in a convoy on a motorbike from Kuala Kangsar heading to Kuantan.

The victim was at the rear of the convoy when the accident occurred, said Mohamad Zamri.

The deceased’s body was sent to the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (HOSHAS) Temerloh for further action and the case investigated in accordance with Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987.

Attempt to Send Marijuana Through Courier Halted

An attempt to send marijuana by courier was thwarted by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) Kelantan. They seized 3.007kg of marijuana drugs worth RM7,517.73 in packages at a registered goods courier center in Rantau Panjang a few days ago.

The Director of the department, Wan Jamal Abdul Salam Wan Long, said his party received information from the public before conducting an inspection at the courier centre, witnessed by the courier company’s workers, and finding a package containing cannabis leaves.

He said, the perpetrator’s modus operandi is by using a courier delivery service to distribute compressed pieces of dry leaves of marijuana without giving the full name and address of the sender.

“Investigations are still continuing to track down the owner of the drugs involved and based on the weight of the confiscated ganja it can be distributed to more than 15,000 drug addicts.

“This case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act (ADB) 1952, which if convicted, the perpetrator will be sentenced to death or life imprisonment and will be sentenced to at least 15 lashes if not sentenced to death.

“The results of the investigation also found that all these drugs are for the local market.”

A word of advice from BikesRepublic.com and MotoMalaya:

To our brothers and sisters who work in the courier and goods delivery sector, there are irresponsible parties who use this service to send prohibited goods. Therefore, we wish you safety and always be vigilant when sending goods. Remember, the excuse “I don’t know” is not accepted in the law because we ourselves have to make sure the things we carry are safe or not.

Porsche Catches Fire after Crashing due to Avoiding Bike

A Porsche caught fire after crashing as a result of trying to avoid a motorcycle on Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2 (MRR2) here.

Gombak District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Noor Ariffin Mohd Nasir said, the Porsche Panamera 4S driven by the 42-year-old local man skidded ashe arrived at the slip road to Greenwood while trying to avoid a motorcycle that had recklessly exited a junction.

“Investigations found that the driver of a car traveling from Bukit Idaman towards Wangsa Maju tried to avoid a motorcycle that suddenly came out from the direction of Lebuh Utama Sri Gombak.

“The incident resulted in the driver of the Porsche Panamera 4S losing control and skidding and hitting the road divider. It caused the car to catch fire.”

The car driver was able to escape and was not injured, while the motorcyclist continued to ride away.

The registration number of the motorcycle has not been identified and the police are trying to trace the rider involved to assist the investigation in accordance with Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

People who saw or have relevant information are asked to contact Assistant Traffic Investigation Officer, Sergeant Mohd Azlan Shaifullah Mohd Azhar on 019-67 48511. Witnesses to the incident can also contact the Operations Room of the Gombak District Police Headquarters (IPD) on 03-6126 2222 .

50,000 Fans Expected at RXZ Fighter Event

An estimated 50,000 motoring enthusiasts from all over the country will be enlivening the inaugural RXZ Fighter event at Serambi Teruntum, Kuantan, Pahang for two days, starting Friday, 1st March 2024. The event will run from 7am to 5pm on Saturday, 2nd March 2024.

Chairman of the Pahang state’s Communications and Multimedia, Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Bodies Committee, Fadzli Mohamad Kamal said, the RXZ Fighter event is expected to achieve that objective.

He said that RXZ Fighter was organized by the Pahang Government in collaboration with Bera Parliament Community Sports and Recreation Clubs and will provide various programs throughout the two days. “Among the fillers are morning prayers like Fridays with motoring enthusiasts, motoring exhibitions and sales.”

The morning prayer event is organized together with Sultan Ahmad State Mosque 1 and will take place on Saturday, 2nd March, 2024.

“The program also has the cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to monitor traffic conditions, including giving briefings on motoring safety.

“We hope motoring enthusiasts, especially those who ride the Yamaha RX-Z to Kuantan, obey law in order to maintain the safety of not only themselves, but also other users,” he said.

The organizers of the event also confirmed that they will not hold and discourage competitions and behaviors such as revving motorcycle engines at gas stations, running red traffic lights, reckless riding, performing wheelies, closing the road by “marshals” and the participants.

According to a post on the RXZ Fighter – Official Facebook account, the event is offering 2 Yamaha RX-Zs as the lucky draw’s main prize. Both of these motorcycles will also be decorated with airbrushed patterns.

Disabled Person Flung in Air and Dies after Hit by Car

A man was flung into the air when a car hit his motorcycle at Batu 21, Jalan Muar-Parit Sulong, here, yesterday.

Mohd Riduan Abdullah, 58, who is also a disabled person (OKU) died at the location due to severe head and body injuries.

Batu Pahat District Acting Chief of Police, Superintendent Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said preliminary investigations found that the accident occurred when a Toyota Vios car from the direction of Muar headed towards Parit Sulong trying to overtake another vehicle.

Unfortunately, the car driven by the 24-year-old man failed to overtake and collided with the motorcycle ridden by the victim, instead. The collision caused the victim to be thrown into the air while the motorcycle and car crashed into a nearby ditch.

“The victim was seriously injured in the chest and died at the scene. The victim was from Merlimau, Melaka. His body was then sent to the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital (HSNI) for an autopsy.

“The driver of the Toyota Vios car with was originally from Muar. He was only slightly injured in the head and legs. Initial urine screening found that he was negative for drugs.”

The tragic accident was recorded by a car’s dashboard camera and was shared on social media. (Warning: Scenes that may cause distress.)

Vehicle Sales Increase 31 percent in January 2024

New vehicle sales increased by 31 percent in January 2024 compared to January 2023.

A total of 65,499 units were sold compared to 50,168 units in the same month last year, following higher sales of passenger vehicles, said the Malaysian Automobile Association (MAA). The total sales consisted of 59,394 units of passenger vehicles, while 6,105 units were commercial vehicles.

The MAA added that the total industry volume (TIV) for January 2024 is however down 16 percent compared to December 2023 which recorded 78,398 units. “The higher sales in December 2023 was due to companies increasing vehicle deliveries to meet their outstanding orders, especially for companies with financial years ending December 2023 as well as purchases at low prices during the end of the year.”

At the same time, 76,077 units of vehicles were produced by automakers in January 2024. This number is a large increase compared to 58,527 units in January 2023. Of these two totals, 71,666 units were passenger vehicles, while another 4,411 units were vehicles trade in January 2024. Compared to January last year, 54,663 were passenger vehicles, and 3,864 units were commercial vehicles.

MAA expects lower vehicle sales in February 2024 as there was a long holiday in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.

Regardless, the report did not separate the amount of sales by type of vehicle such as motorcycles, passenger cars, SUVs, and so on. It also does not separate vehicle sales by region or state.

In a separate news, industry vehicle sales are expected to decline overall for 2024 compared to 2023. A total of 799,731 units were sold last year, which was a record high.

That news published last January, said that Kenaga Research expects the total sales of 710,000 units of vehicles until the end of this year. RHB Research on the other hand projected the sales of only 625,000 units. Both figures are lower than the 740,000 units expected by MAA.

Kenanga Research said they expect a decline in sales as the withdrawal of fuel subsidies will impact demand for mid-size vehicles. However, sales of affordable vehicles may not be affected.

They also noted that a new car is still an affordable luxury for most Malaysian households despite high inflation and a slow global economy.

5 Suspects Accused of Killing Driver Charged for Murder

Five suspects accused of tying and beating a car driver to death last week were charged for murder in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. All those charged were between 22 and 43 years old and work as food delivery riders.

All suspects nodded in understanding after the charge was read out in front of the Magistrate. However, no plea was recorded as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The magistrate also did not allow bail to be granted and the court fixed April 25 for the submission of forensic status, chemical and autopsy reports.

They were charged in accordance with Section 302 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same code which carries the death penalty or imprisonment between 30 and 40 years, and if not sentenced to death, must be whipped 12 times.

A man believed to be a member of the victim’s family shouted “Bang, kau tunggu (Bro, you wait)” towards all the accused after the proceedings. He was comforted by his family members before being ordered out of court by the police.

They are accused of killing one a self-employed person, Shahril Samad, at Taman Pelangi Semenyih 2, Beranang on 20th February. Witnesses at the scene claimed that the victim was pulled out of the car by several people after his car skidded and hit the fence of a house. His hands were tied and he was beaten to death.

Police have confirmed that the victim had hit two food delivery vehicles shortly before the tragic incident. He was then chased by the suspects until his car crashed.

Driver Beaten to Death was Drug Positive

BMW Motorrad Malaysia to Introduce the BMW R 18 Roctane

BMW Motorrad Malaysia will introduce the BMW R 18 Roctane, at the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) showcase, happening from 1 st to 3 rd March at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

The R18 Roctane is the fifth edition to the R 18 family which combines time-honoured design elements with updated riding technology to provide a uniquely stylish touring experience.

Sashi Ambihaipahan, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at BMW GroupMalaysia said, “Rolling in as a stylish symbol of SoulFuel in its own right, we are thrilled to preview the New BMW R 18 Roctane for our hot-rod touring enthusiasts in Malaysia. The Roctane edition, paired with our formidable “Big Boxer” engine, demonstrates our continued mission to always Make Life A Ride; offering superior riding experiences, whether on a relaxing solo cruise or a thrilling group ride. This, coupled with exclusive programmes for the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) showcase this weekend, further delivers on our promise to provide customers with the Premium Ownership Experience across our entire portfolio of premium vehicles.”

The BMW R 18 Roctane draws inspiration from iconic BMW models like the BMW R 5, prioritising the fundamental elements of motorcycling: pure, no-frills , which has long been the heart of BMW Motorrad’s riding joy. This combination sets out to create a truly unique and emotionally resonant riding experience, accentuated by meticulously crafted design elements, including a sleek rear section designed for optimal aerodynamics.

Highlights:

Inspired by iconic BMW models such as the BMW R 5, with pure, no-frills technology centred around the Boxer engine.
The chassis of the new BMW R 18 Roctane is built upon a double-loop tubular steel frame.
Akin to the legendary BMW R 5, the rear swingarm envelops the rear axle drive.
The New BMW R 18 Roctane also boasts well-balanced ergonomics with the presence of mid-mounted foot pegs.
Other features include a two-level seat, as well as updated running boards, gearshift paddle, and high
handlebars coated in sleek black.
The New BMW R 18 Roctane is offered in Mineral Grey Metallic as well as Manhattan Metallic Matt.
The heart of the BMW R 18 Roctane is the traditional air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke Boxer engine, the largest boxer engine of the proud Heritage line-up, also called the ‘big boxer’.
With a capacity of 1,802 cc, it also stands as the most powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever produced in BMW Motorrad’s Heritage line-up, delivering an output of 67 kW (91HP) at 4,750 rpm and a peak torque of 150 Nm.
Riding assistance features for the BMW R 18 Roctane includes Automatic Stability Control (ASC), along with three standard riding modes – Rock, Roll and Rain.
Optional features for the bagger include the new Adaptive Headlight, that activates separate LED elements in the main headlight, allowing for better road illumination, especially when cornering.
Among other additional features are Hill Start Control, Headlight Pro, Reverse Gear Aid, Daytime Riding Light, Cruise Control, and lockable fuel filler cap.
The estimated pricing for the BMW R 18 Roctane is RM 160,000.

For more information on the BMW R 18 Roctane, please visit your preferred BMW Motorrad Showroom or the official website here.

Customers are welcome to view the BMW R 18 Roctane and experience all these exclusive offers at the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) Showcase by BMW Group Malaysia, happening March 1st to 3rd 2024 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium (Carpark B) from 9:00AM to 7:00PM daily.

Visit the website HERE to RSVP your spot.

JSPT Investigates Escort who Halted Truck Dangerously

JSPT (Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik / Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department) Bukit Aman is investigating the actions of an escort who stopped a truck in a dangerous manner.

The director of the department, Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said he was aware of the incident. “JSPT will investigate the incident and in terms of compliance with standard operating procedures,” he told Harian Metro.

The incident went viral after a 35-second clip believed to be a dashboard camera recording from the lorry was uploaded on social media.

The video shows a police escort suddenly swerving in front of a lorry and ordering the driver to stop immediately. The truck was able to stop but within a very close distance to the two motorcycles in front of it. The escort himself was also in danger should the truck’s brakes malfunction.

Every road user, what more trained enforcers such as traffic police, should be aware of the braking distances of other vehicles, especially for heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses. The weight of heavy vehicles produce very high momentum thus requiring a longer stopping distances. In addition, the driver may lose control of the vehicle when applying sudden braking.

Apart from that, drivers behind the bus or lorry may also be affected because they cannot see further ahead apart from the back of the bus or lorry. The driver behind has the potential to crash into the vehicle in front and cause a chain accident.

Seven “Superman” Arrested at KL – Seremban Highway

Police arrested nine motorcyclists on the Kuala Lumpur – Seremban Highway, last Sunday night. Seven of them were arrested for dangerous riding and performing “Superman” stunts, while the other two were arrested for altering the motorcycle’s registration number to confuse the authorities.

According to Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Director, Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, the nine motorcycles are Yamaha Y15ZR, Yamaha 135 LC and Modenas Kris 110. All motorcycles have been confiscated for further action.

“The arrested persons were between 16 and 24 years old and they were taken to the IPD Seremban Traffic Police Station for further action. Legal action is carried out in accordance with Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 108 (3) (F) of the same act, ” he said.

Mohd Azman said those arrested were not involved with any motorcycle groups from nearby districts such as Port Dickson and Kuala Pilah. “Some of them came from several areas around the Klang Valley and only use this highway as a convoy route to go to eateries located around Senawang town.”

They were arrested while the authorities were carrying out Op Samseng Jalan (Road Hooligan Operations) at the Senawang Toll Plaza. A total of six officers and 68 personnel were involved in the operation from 4 pm to 4 am.

The police also issued 101 summonses for various offences. Among them such as the registration number does not follow the guidelines (5), no registration number (20), fancy registration number (1), imperfect accessories (12) and no side mirror (14).

Apart from that, other offences included not displaying P and L stickers (10), expired road tax (10), noisy exhaust (7), expired license (2), structural modification (1) no brakes (5) and the owner allows improper usage (1).

Heatwave warning, 12 Areas to Hit 37C – MetMalaysia

The Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) has issued a heatwave warning. According to them, temperatures in 12 areas are expected to hit 37-deg Celsius, for at least 3 days in a row.

MetMalaysia, through a post in their Facebook page, said that those areas are in Perlis as well as Kedah. They include Pulau Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Pendang, Padang Terap Sik, Baling, and Kulim.

Other areas include Kuala Kangsar in Perak, and Beaufort in Sabah.

On another note, other areas are expected to hit a maximum of lower than 35-deg Celsius.

As such, do take precautions when you ride during a heatwave. Here are a few tips:

Hydrate

Dehydration will make you drowsy, and cause headahces and bodyaches. You will also start to lose focus when you ride. So, keep drinking water, fruit juices (without sugar), and isotonic drinks (with moderation). Stay away from carbonated soft drinks.

Wear the correct gear

Wear mesh jackets and ventilated riding pants. You will feel hot, granted, but there is at least some protection. Also, wear helmets that provide plenty of airflow such as for sport-touring if you prefer full-faces.

Cool off

If you are riding long distance, stop when you feel drowsy. Then wet your shirt and put it on to keep cool. Another method is by wetting your balaclava and putting it on. The cool air on your face will keep you awake. Similarly, you could also wet a piece of cloth or clothing and wrap it around your neck like a scarf.

Stop!

Speaking about stopping, do stop as regularly as you need because insisting on riding while you are feeling drowsy is too dangerous. Take a short break, drink some water and eat some snacks that provide high energy. On the note of what to consume, stay away from spicy and greasy food.

Bikesrepublic

Local News

A word of advice from BikesRepublic.com and MotoMalaya:

Highlights:

Hydrate

Wear the correct gear

Cool off

Stop!

Archive

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

BikesRepublic