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A total of 15,705 fines were issued involving traffic obstruction offences in Operasi Hormat Undang-undang (Op HUU) conducted by the Kuala Lumpur Police over a seven-day period.

Head of the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Assistant Commissioner Sarifudin Mohd Salleh said a total of 21,169 traffic summonses were issued in the same period.

“The highest were traffic obstruction offences amounting to 15,705 summonses, followed by parking on footpaths (1,102), no license (678), expired road tax (450), vehicle number not according to specifications (336), and stopping in the yellow box (29).

“In addition, there were offences of having no side mirror (248), no registration number (156), not affixing a P sticker (167), using a mobile phone (111), expired license (107), not fastening the helmet properly (64) and several other offences,” he said in a statement today.

Sarifudin also said that his party also carried out 137 traffic operations during the same period.

“A total of 38 individuals were arrested for various offenses during the implementation of Ops HUU while five motorcycles and a lorry were confiscated,” he said.

According to him, a total of 228 senior officers and 2,642 members of JSPT Kuala Lumpur were involved in the operation with the help of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Department of Environment (JAS).

Kuala Lumpur Police will continue Operation HUU until June 15.

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa have said that the operation emphasises traffic offences such as obstruction, white lines, registration numbers, motorcycles, students, illegal parking, red lights, and mobile phones.

A trailer rammed 13 vehicles on Kilometer 21 of the BKE Highway heading to Baling, this morning. The accident caused at least 4 injuries among the drivers involved.

Kulim Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief, Assistant Fire Superintendent Hamizul Azwan Hamdan said his team received a call about the accident at 7.37am.

He also said that a team of nine members from BBP Kulim led by Zaidi Yaacob was despatched to the location.

“Upon arrival at the location, we found that there had been an accident involving 13 vehicles and four victims, including a woman who were rescued by members of the public before the fire department arrived.

“They were sent to the Kulim Hospital by ambulance for further treatment,” he said in a statement today.

Hamizul Azwan said that his members proceeded to clear the road and advised road users to avoid the area of ​​the accident.

There have been several serious accidents along the BKE (Butterworth-Kulim Expressway), including a fatal accident last May that involved a motorcycle being squeezed to the side by a lorry. The lorry driver’s actions caused the motorcycle to swipe the side of the lorry, and throwing the motorcyclist onto the road barrier. The rider died a few hours after receiving treatment at the hospital.

This route is often plied by heavy vehicles carrying goods between the industrial areas in Kulim, Butterworth, and Prai. So, our advice is to be careful when riding a motorcycle and driving on this highway.

We shall get to the point immediately. The “W” in engine oil viscosity stands for “winter.” It is part of the viscosity grading system established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to classify motor oils according to their viscosity characteristics.

In a motor oil grade, such as 10W-40, the “10W” indicates the oil’s viscosity at low temperatures (winter conditions). Here’s what the “W” and the numbers mean:

  1. Low-Temperature Viscosity (W)
    • The number before the “W” (e.g., 10W) represents the oil’s viscosity at 0°F (-17.8°C), reflecting how the oil performs in cold temperatures. Lower numbers indicate better flow at low temperatures, meaning the oil will be less thick and more capable of protecting the engine during cold starts.
    • But bear in mind that “cold” in temperate climates mean temperatures ranging from above -3 deg Celsius to below 18 deg Celsius.
    • Thus the “W” viscosity DOES NOT apply to tropical countries like Malaysia since our median temperature is 27 deg Celsius. Even the coldest places in Malaysia such as Cameron Highlands rarely see 15 deg Celsius.

  1. High-Temperature Viscosity:
    • The number after the “W” (e.g., 40 in 10W-40) represents the oil’s viscosity at 212°F (100°C), which is roughly the operating temperature of an engine. Higher numbers indicate a thicker oil at high temperatures, providing better protection under heavy load and high temperatures.
Example: 10W-40 Oil
  • 10W: Indicates the oil flows well at low temperatures, making it suitable for cold climates.
  • 40: Indicates the oil maintains sufficient thickness to protect the engine at high operating temperatures.

This system helps ensure that the oil can provide adequate protection and performance under a wide range of operating conditions, from cold starts in winter to high-temperature running.

The reason why engine oils sold in Malaysia have both winter and summer grades is because these oils are also available in other countries, including those that have winter seasons.

The origins of “multigrade” engine oils

Engine oils used to be single-grade only. There are still single grade engine oils, but these are now rare. By single grade we mean, you would buy an oil with one viscosity, such as SAE 10, SAE 30 or SAE 40, and so forth.

So, you would use the lowest viscosity grade possible, such as SAE 5 or SAE 10, during winter months when everything is frozen solid. The “thin” oil keeps itself viscous so that you could start your engine. However, the oil will be too thin when the engine reaches its operating temperature.

On the other hand, you will need to swap out that winter oil to something “heavier” in the hotter months, such as SAE 40, SAE 50, etc. This is to keep the oil from getting too thin in the hot weather. However, this oil will turn into a block of gel in the winter months. Even starting on very cold mornings such as 5 deg Celsius is a chore as the oil is too thick.

As such, oil engineers managed to develop additives that makes an engine oil thin enough that it does not freeze in winter, and stays thick enough when the engine is hot. This gave birth to “multigrade” engine oils that we see today, such as the aforementioned SAE 10W-40 grade. Therefore, you could use only one oil throughout the year.

When the subject of the price of goods in Malaysia comes up, the most “popular” question among Malaysians is why the price of fuel has not gone down, despite that being one of the pillars of the government’s manifesto during the last general election.

The situation appears to be more acute when the retail price of diesel has risen to RM3.35 per litre from midnight today (10 June 2024) compared to the previous RM2.15 per litre. The biggest concern among the common folk is the increase in the price of goods which may happen soon due to manufacturing and shipping costs.

That very question  of  “why fuel prices has not gone down” was raised by a Pakatan Harapan supporter to the Minister of Economy, Rafizi Ramli, during the Unity Mechanism Launch Ceremony for the Sungai Bakap By-Election yesterday.

Rafizi informed that the government has never canceled fuel subsidies including diesel that reached RM60 billion per year. Instead, the government is “diverting” the subsidies directly to the people.

He said that previously, the subsidy was paid to several petroleum companies every year, in contrast to the current government’s actions which will distribute it including to families who will receive from RM200 to RM500 per month.

“In the days when oil was priced at RM1.90, do you know how much the price of crude oil was at that time? Do you know how much subsidy the government had to spend? Just a little bit (because) at that time the subsidies were just RM3 billion out of a budget of more than RM200 billion.

Right now, the subsidy is RM60 billion as crude oil price is USD80 per barrel. I mentioned before (the price of fuel will be lowered) if the price of crude oil is low and the subsidy can still be delayed, so why do you want to remove the subsidy.”

“But when the subsidy reaches RM80 billion, it is not possible to build schools, it is not possible to raise wages and the subsidy causes the low prices is what the rich receive. Isn’t it better that we move the subsidy, not cancel it.

“‘Diverting’ the subsidy means that the subsidy will continue to be given. Public transport vehicles, small trucks, pickups, traders can all get it, even ordinary people with a salary of RM100,000 or less a year can enjoy it, or we distribute it to families so that they can get fuel subsidies every month of RM200, RM300, RM400 (or) RM500,” he said.

Rafizi also voiced his confidence that the people will be able to better see how the subsidy allocation is channeled to households instead of directly being paid to petroleum companies.

Previously, Rafizi had been reported as saying that the Government is expected to bear subsidies of more than RM100 billion a year if the world price of crude oil reaches USD100 per barrel, unless reforms are implemented to the subsidy system.

Our comment:

The problem is that unscrupulous suppliers will raise prices, causing shopkeepers to also raise prices with the excuse that “the price of fuel has gone up,” despite the subsidy will continue for some categories of commercial vehicles (pictured below). But will the government monitor the price of goods in the market?

 

A businessman lost nearly RM180,000 in motorcycle purchase scam on Facebook.

The 49-year-old businessman had wanted to buy seven Honda 110cc motorcycles with chosen number plates through the social media. According to Seremban Police Chief Mohamad Hatta Che Din, the victim made seven payments to an individual he did not know last May 24 to 28 with a total of RM179,376 for the purchase of the seven motorcycles.

“He later realized he was cheated after not receiving the promised motorcycle before making a police report.”

He advised the public not to easily trust those who offer to sell goods online at low prices and to immediately check to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

Cases of online motorcycle purchase fraud have been rampant for the past few years. There were also scammers who used the names and logos of well-known motorcycle shops to carry out their nefarious activities. We often found posts from these motorcycle shops that advised buyers to be more cautious, especially when making purchases online or through social media.

The Vespa brand has been around for nearly 80 years, going through ups and downs, and finally arriving at this juncture as an iconic motorcycle brand. So, to celebrate the upcoming Vespa Day celebrations, here is a (very) concise history of Vespa.

In the beginning

Vespa’s story began in 1946, in the aftermath of World War II, when Enrico Piaggio, seeking to provide Italians with a practical mode of transportation, collaborated with aeronautical engineer Corradino D’Ascanio to create the first Vespa model, the Vespa 98.

Ironically, D’Ascanio made it clear from the outset that he hated motorcycles, even from when he was approached by Ferdinando Innocenti (the founder of Lambretta) earlier. To him, motorcycles are bulky, dirty, and unreliable. However, it was this perspective that gave rise to Vespa’s construction and iconic shape.

Anyway, the name “Vespa” means “Wasp” in Italian, a nod to the bike’s buzzing sound.

Iconic models
  • Vespa 98 (1946): The Vespa 98, introduced in 1946, marked the birth of the Vespa brand. It was the first scooter produced by Piaggio and featured a 98cc engine. Designed by aeronautical engineer Corradino D’Ascanio, the Vespa 98 boasted a revolutionary design with a step-through frame, enclosed engine, and small wheels. This model set the standard for future Vespa scooters and laid the groundwork for the brand’s success.
  • Vespa 125 (1948): Following the success of the Vespa 98, Piaggio introduced the Vespa 125 in 1948. This model featured a larger 125cc engine, offering improved performance and versatility. The Vespa 125 quickly gained popularity both in Italy and abroad, solidifying Vespa’s reputation for quality and innovation. It became a symbol of post-war reconstruction and economic revival in Europe.

  • Vespa GS Series (1955): The Vespa GS Series, introduced in 1955, represented a significant advancement in Vespa’s design and performance capabilities. The GS (Gran Sport) models were equipped with larger engines, ranging from 125cc to 200cc, and featured sportier styling and improved handling. The Vespa GS 150, in particular, became renowned for its speed and agility, winning races and capturing the hearts of enthusiasts. The GS Series cemented Vespa’s status as a manufacturer of high-performance scooters and further expanded its global reach.

  • Vespa Primavera (1968-Present): Capturing the spirit of the swinging sixties, the Primavera became a symbol of youth culture with its sleek lines and vibrant colors, remaining a favorite among riders worldwide.

  • Vespa PX Series (1977-2007): Renowned for its robust build and timeless design, the PX Series became synonymous with Vespa’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

  • Vespa GTS Series (2005-Present): Combining performance and style, the GTS Series has become a modern classic, offering riders a powerful and comfortable riding experience.

Current production facilities

Vespa’s production facilities are strategically located around the globe to ensure accessibility to riders worldwide. With manufacturing plants in Italy, Vietnam, India, and Brazil, Vespa seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology to produce scooters that meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.

The future of Vespa

As the world embraces sustainable transportation solutions, Vespa is committed to shaping a greener future. The brand has introduced electric models such as the Vespa Elettrica, offering riders an eco-friendly alternative without compromising on performance or style. Additionally, Vespa continues to explore innovative technologies such as connectivity features and autonomous riding systems, reaffirming its position as a pioneer in urban mobility.

In conclusion

From its humble beginnings in post-war Italy to its status as a global icon, Vespa has continued to evolve and innovate, staying true to its core values of style, functionality, and accessibility. With a rich history of historic and iconic models, state-of-the-art production facilities, and a commitment to sustainability, Vespa is poised to lead the way towards a brighter, more efficient future of urban mobility.

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