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Plane Crashes Killed 334 in 2024

Plane crashes killed 334 people in 2024 worldwide, according to preliminary data from the German Air Traffic Industry Association (BDL), German news agency (dpa) reported.

The fatalities included passengers, crew and seven people on the ground.

In comparison, only 80 deaths were reported in 2023, the second lowest number since 1970.

The BDL statistics cover accidents involving aircraft with at least 14 seats. Incidents involving smaller aircraft and military flights are excluded from the report.

Although the number of aviation fatalities hit a record low in 2017, there has been an increase in the following years, the association said.

However, long-term data shows significant safety improvements.

“The aviation industry was about 53 times safer last year (2024) than in the 1970s,” said BDL Managing Director Joachim Lang.

In 2024, 17 accidents involving passenger and cargo aircraft were investigated, the association said.

The deadliest accident occurred on December 29 when a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air crashed while landing at Muan Airport in South Korea. The crash killed 179 passengers and two crew members survived. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident.

According to projections by the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), about 4.7 billion passengers will fly worldwide in 2024, more than 10 times the average since the 1970s, when only 440 million people flew annually.

In other words, civil aviation is still the safest mode of transportation.

Cameron Highlands Road is Blocked Again

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.

Puspakom Admits Unable to Detect Rented Part

The Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) admitted that it does not have a specific mechanism to detect commercial vehicles that use rented spare parts to obtain approval during inspections.

Puspakom is clear that this situation makes it impossible for it to detect vehicles that try to cheat during inspections.

In this regard, it is currently holding discussions with authorities including relevant ministries to help Puspakom conduct inspections more accurately and in detail.

“We cannot detect the use of rented vehicle components such as tires, brakes, brake pads and so on, because they are quite common.

“However, we are in discussions with regulators and ministries to improve our processes. This step could lead to more accurate and thorough inspections involving the use of technology.

“For example, when we asked about the tire issue, even though we checked it, because the damage was caused by the brakes (axles), we did not have the ability to check that part.

“When we check the brake performance, we will check the effectiveness of the brakes and the tire performance,” he said.

The tire or other component replacement service to pass the Puspakom inspection, which was openly advertised on social media, became the focus after the tragedy that claimed seven lives in Melaka on December 23.

The crash that killed five members of a family, a tour bus driver and a passenger at Kilometer 204 of the North-South Highway heading north near the Ayer Keroh rest and service area, was believed to have been caused by a lorry’s front tire coming off and being in the middle lane of the highway.

Following that, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) launched a simultaneous Puspakom Shock Operation nationwide and detected heavy vehicles using old and unsafe dipped tires that were at risk of exploding at any time, and came to inspect the center in question.

Lorry Hits MPV, One Killed, 7 Month Old Bay in Serious Condition

The journey home of two families from an engagement ceremony in Muar ended in tragedy when one of them died after a lorry entered the opposite lane and hit their multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at Kilometer (KM) 86, Jalan Johor Bahru-Air Hitam, yesterday.

Kluang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Bahrin Mohd Noh said Widiani Afendi, 39, the rear passenger of the Toyota Estima, died instantly at the scene in the 7.15pm incident due to severe head injuries.

He said that the seven-month-old baby, Lee Sun Mei, who is also the family’s adopted child, suffered internal head injuries and is receiving treatment at the Red Zone of the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital (HEBHK), here.

“The accident also caused minor injuries to the 53-year-old lorry driver and six others in the MPV, including drivers aged six to 58.

“The accident is believed to have occurred after the lorry from the direction of Machap heading towards Air Hitam lost control and entered the opposite lane and hit the right side of the MPV.

“The injured victim is receiving treatment at HEBHK Kluang. The lorry driver, who was injured in the head and chest, is receiving treatment at Pantai Hospital Batu Pahat,” he said.

According to him, the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Harley-Davidson 2025 Select Motorcycles Revealed

Harley-Davidson today revealed select models from its 2025 motorcycle portfolio on H-D.com. These bikes will be available at authorised Harley-Davidson dealerships globally.

Harley-Davidson also announced Harley-Davidson Factory Custom Paint & Graphics, a new program offering highly desirable paint-and-graphics schemes on select motorcycle models. Additional 2025 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including the 26th annual installment of the limited-production Custom Vehicle OperationTM (CVOTM) collection, will be revealed on H-D.com at 5 p.m. CST on January 23 (7 a.m., January 24, Malaysian time).

Grand American Touring

From the company that invented the cross-country experience. Grand American Touring models are designed to carry riders over the horizon with comfort, performance and technology that makes the journey spectacular. Returning models include the Street Glide®, Road Glide®, and Road King® Special motorcycles.

2025 Location Photography – FLHX Street Glide®, FLTRX Road Glide. CONFIDENTIAL & EMBARGOED UNTIL JAN 2, 2025 AT 5PM CST

Harley-Davidson® Factory Custom Paint & Graphics

Harley-Davidson Factory Custom Paint & Graphics offers premium paint-and-graphics schemes on select motorcycle models for customers who crave a unique, show-stopping finish. When ordered through an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer, a Harley-Davidson® Factory Custom Paint & Graphics finish is applied by Harley-Davidson to components installed as the motorcycle is assembled. The customer receives a motorcycle with exclusive paint-and-graphics, backed with a full factory warranty, without the expense or downtime associated with custom paint applied by a third party.

For 2025, three Harley-Davidson® Factory Custom Paint & Graphics offerings will be available on select models. Each paint set features a special black tank medallion with chrome accents and a mother-of-pearl textured background in either purple or orange.

Mystic Shift offers a dramatic hue shift which travels from a dark gun metal to purple to blue to almost orange and is especially apparent in full sunlight when walking around the motorcycle.

Firestorm responds to a current custom trend for flame details in paint. Harley-Davidson offered its first factory flame paint scheme on the 1980 Wide Glide® model and has reprised the look several times, most notably on the 2011 Wide Glide® model. The Firestorm schemes feature a “ghost fade” or inner fade effect – the fade color is slightly brighter than the basecoat. In certain angles, the flames pop dramatically but are subtle in others. The Firestorm schemes are available in two popular colors.
- Midnight Firestorm is a dark flamed paint scheme featuring ghosted flames over a Vivid Black base with a charcoal inner glow.

- Whiskey Firestorm features an added mid-coat for a deeper orange shade with Ember Sunglo ghost flames with a brighter orange inner glow.

Model availability, timing, variants, colors, specifications and pricing may vary by market. Customers can enquire more information with their local H-D dealerships.

JPJ Offers Special Compound for 3 Offences for 6 Months

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is offering a special compound rate of RM150 for 3 offences for 6 months, starting today, January 3, 2025.

Malaysian Transport Minister, YB Anthony Loke said it involves 3 types of JPJ summons notices, namely the Automatic Awareness Security System (AwAS) summons (Summon 53A), the Investigation Interview Notice (114) and the Stamped Summons Notice/JPJ(P)23 (115).

All three usually have a compound rate of RM300. So we are giving a special compound rate starting tomorrow, January 3, for six months so that they can settle this compound.

“Because there are two million outstanding AwAS summons… and there are indeed restrictions on those who do not settle AwAS summons, if they do not settle the summons they cannot renew their driving licence or motor vehicle licence,” he said.

Loke said payments can be made through various channels including at JPJ counters, public portals, JPJ kiosks, JPJ mobile counters and the myJPJ application.

He said the special compound payment cannot be made through the MyEG channel and at Pos Malaysia.

Meanwhile, he said the collection of demerit points will be temporarily suspended from tomorrow until June 30.

Loke said during that period, the JPJ Enforcement Division will conduct a review of the method of implementing the Demerit Points System.