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PETRONAS is calling on the public to be more vigilant against fake investment scams using the name of the company and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

PETRONAS said it has been informed about the online investment fraud that is active in the WhatsApp application.

According to them, the fraud involved the illegal use of the PETRONAS company name and logo, as well as the name of the PETRONAS Group President and Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik.

“The message included a fake news report purportedly from The Star with the headline used ‘Special Report: ‘PETRONAS opens joint investment platform with government support!’.

“It offers a scheme that promises returns through weekly investments in government operations related to natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production,” PETRONAS said in the statement.

The report was also accompanied by a fake video of Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, with his image and voice manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) software.

PETRONAS management explained and emphasized that there is no such investment platform from them.

“We would like to call on everyone not to respond to this fake investment scheme,” the national petroleum and gas company added.

Goodyear will provide high compensation to their workers affected by the decision to close its factory in Shah Alam.

A transition process involving employee welfare was implemented prior to the announcement. This process includes collaboration with several companies such as Proton Holdings Bhd. to provide employment opportunities to affected workers.

This news was revealed by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He said Goodyear took those steps to ensure a smooth transition process for employees. In addition, Goodyear will provide higher compensation than is stipulated under the provisions of the law.

“This factory is closing because Goodyear aims to reduce costs up to US$1 billion a year by 2025. The closure of the factory in Shah Alam is part of the said cost reduction measures.

“Goodyear will also close two of its tire factories in Germany, involving 1,750 workers. A tire factory in the United Kingdom will also be closed. So, not only operations in Malaysia, but Goodyear’s operations around the world will also be affected,” he said in a post on social media on Friday.

Goodyear will reportedly close its factory in Shah Alam, Selangor after 50 years of operation, affecting approximately 550 employees.

He said, MITI and its agency MIDA have mobilized a special team involving SOCSO and the Department of Manpower through the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Center to facilitate job placement, as well as offer skill improvement and reskilling programs.

“Most importantly, all those efforts have been implemented before the announcement of the factory closure was made to ensure that the transition process for the workers goes smoothly,” he said.

Commenting further, Tengku Zafrul said that the government will ensure that Malaysia continues to receive investment that can help the country’s economy.

That is the main challenge at the moment given the current global economic landscape in ensuring that there is more inward investment than outward investment as is the case with Goodyear.

He said investment announcements of RM329.5 billion were approved last year, the highest in Malaysia’s history. A total of 5,310 projects have been approved and will generate nearly 130,000 job opportunities.

“In the manufacturing sector alone, 63 percent of the approved investments were from existing businesses expanding their operations.

National rider Qabil Irfan Azlan will race in the Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK) for the 2024 season.

The plucky 12-year-old, who was the 2023 champion of the MiniGP World Series, will compete in the Moto4 Category with Spanish team VHC Frando Racing.

According to a statement released by ZK Racing, Qabil will leave for Spain this Sunday to attend pre-season tests on March 16 and 17 at the Jerez Circuit. He will then remain there for the opening races of the season on April 6 and 7.

“The ESBK championship will be held over 7 rounds. This Moto4 category includes riders aged 12 to 14 and will compete on circuits in Spain and Portugal,” according to ZK Racing.

After the race at the Jerez Circuit, Qabil is scheduled to continue his campaign at the Valencia Circuit, Spain (June 1 and 2); Estoril Circuit, Portugal (July 6 and 7); Circuit Catalunya, Spain (July 27 and 28); Estoril Circuit, Portugal (31 August and 1 September); Circuit Navarra, Spain (26 and 27 October) and return to Circuit Jerez to close the 2024 campaign on 2 and 3 November.

Qabil is under the ZK Racing development program since 2020 is expected to also participate in the FIM MiniGP Malaysia Series Championship in the 190cc category this year.

The Johor Government is making plans to reopen the Pasir Gudang Circuit, also known as the Johor Circuit. The historic circuit has been closed for the past nine years.

Chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee, Entrepreneur Development and State Cooperatives Mohd. Hairi Mad Shah said he along with Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi will meet the Acting Sultan of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to present plans to reopen the circuit.

He said the re-opening of the circuit will cost a lot, but it will serve as the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team’s training ground with the participation of national rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah.

Hafizh Syahrin Hopes to Shine at ARRC

“When there was a JDT Racing Team in Johor, many people asked about the Pasir Gudang Circuit, but (according to) a review, it will involve a relatively high cost for the overhaul.

“So, God willing, I and the Menteri Besar will go to the Acting Sultan of Johor to consider this circuit being reopened for the training of Hafizh Syahrin and motoring enthusiasts in the near future,” said Mohd. Happy birthday yesterday.

He also hoped that the re-opening of the circuit could further stimulate motor sports, thus becoming the location of choice for those involved in the sport.

JDT ventured into motor sports with Hafizh who will compete in the 2024 Asian Motorcycle Championship.

 

A KTM Brabus 1400 R is reportedly being developed and will utilise the new KTM 1350cc engine.

Previously, KTM announced that production of the KTM Brabus 1300 R came to an end after two years. But it turned out to be because KTM had introduced the new engine via the 2024 KTM 1390 Super Duke. The new engine replaces the old 1301cc LC8, found in the KTM 1290 Super Duke Evo.

So, of course the new Brabus will be based on the 1390 Super Duke Evo. That new LC8 V-Twin packs 188 hp and 145 Nm of torque. It powers the 1390 Super Adventure and the upcoming 1390 Super Duke GT, too.

Although KTM and Brabus did not reveal the project, a German motorcycle magazine sighted an application by Brabus to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to register several names. More specifically, Brabus had registered the trademarks “Brabus 1400 R Tailor Made”, “Brabus 1400 R Rocket”, and “Brabus 1400 R Signature”.

So, instead of just one variant with two different colour schemes, the new bike will have three different variants. Perhaps “Tailor Made” refers to a made-to-order form, while “Rocket” signifies eye-popping performance, and “Signature” stands for luxury.

If this piece of news is true, we can expect to see the new KTM Brabus 1400 R by the end of the year.

Cikgu Ben Zaid, affectionately known as Cikgu Offroad rides the Aveta Ranger Max Explorer.

Aveta Malaysia, the local motorcycle manufacturer, assembler, and distributor of the Aveta motorcycles presented Aveta Ranger Max Explorer all-terrain motorbikes to assist Cikgu Ben Zaid and two of his teaching colleagues in their effort to educate children in a remote Orang Asli community in Kelantan during. The “Off-Road Education Outreach: Teachers Rally with Aveta” handover ceremony was held at the Royale Chulan hotel in Mutiara Damansara yesterday.

Cikgu Ben Zaid and his colleagues traverse 60km of rough timber roads and jungle trails to reach and teach children of the Orang Asli community in Pos Balar, Kelantan, each weekend. Their journey into the interior takes around 3 hours under favourable weather. However, the trails would become treacherous during the rainy season, turning their journey into a 10-hour slog.

‘Cikgu Offroad’ as he is known on social media, recorded and shared videos of the teachers’ epic roundtrips to and from remote Orang Asli communities. As such, many Malaysian netizens contacted Aveta to highlight Cikgu Ben and his colleagues’ efforts following the launch of the Aveta Ranger Max Explorer in November 2023. They suggested that the company’s new motorbike’s off-road capabilities would greatly help the teachers in their trailblazing educational journeys into the jungle.

“Teaching my students in Pos Balar is a privilege which I gladly accept. No doubt there are challenges which we face in our teaching travels. However, education is crucial to enable everyone to participate in our country’s progress and this fuels me for my journeys. I am grateful to my channel subscribers who highlighted my mission to Aveta Malaysia and thankful to Aveta for the support that they are giving. There is no doubt that this donation will really help us to focus on our teaching responsibilities,” said Cikgu Ben Zaid at the handover ceremony.

He added, “The Ranger Max Explorer’s off-road features, including the double piston disc brake, dual-purpose tires, and high ground clearance, make our journeys to and from school a lot smoother. The patented double T-bone design ensures excellent stability and easy handling. Plus, the impressive loading capacity lets my colleagues and me carry more equipment and supplies for the children on each trip.”

Steven Lim, Managing Director of Aveta Malaysia, said “When we unveiled our Ranger Max Explorer, we received an outpouring of messages and comments from netizens, all highlighting the admirable dedication of Cikgu Ben and his fellow educators. Venturing off-road is a daunting feat, with only a select few motorcycles possessing the versatility for such endeavours. Amidst challenging terrain that tests both vehicle and driver, the perseverance of these teachers in educating Orang Asli children is truly inspiring. Their noble efforts moved us deeply, compelling us to lend a hand. With these three specially-equipped bikes, tailored precisely for this rugged terrain, we aim to alleviate the burdens of Cikgu Ben and his team, allowing them to focus wholeheartedly on their educational mission. Additionally, we are providing them with a 2-year warranty giving them peace of mind as they embark on their important educational trips. We hope this donation will make a valuable contribution to the education of the Orang Asli children in Pos Balar.” 

Steven continued, “The Malay saying goes ‘guru bagaikan pelita’. Teachers like Cikgu Ben and many across the country do their best to educate the next generation of Malaysian talents and prepare them for the future. As a Malaysian company through and through, we feel it is important to support them in their nation-building effort.” 

The Aveta Ranger Max Explorer excels in off-road conditions thanks to its impressive ground clearance and versatile dual-purpose tires. The bike features multi-spoke rims, and a sturdy, partially-exposed, patented double T-bone frame, along with an extra-large fuel tank. Comfort is enhanced by telescopic forks at the front and dual gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear.

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