Wahid Ooi, Author at BikesRepublic.com

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Wahid Ooi

Hanoi is the World’s Most Polluted City

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is classified as the most polluted city in the world.

The city was shrouded in a thick haze of pollution yesterday that made it difficult to see tall buildings and caused the city’s nearly nine million residents to breathe poisonous air.

Hanoi has often been ranked among the most polluted cities in the world, in recent years. It is partly due to extensive construction and fumes from the large number of motorbikes and cars that cross the capital daily.

Carbon emissions from coal plants in the north and open burning for agricultural purposes are exacerbating the problem.

Last month, dozens of flights were affected when a thick haze enveloped Hanoi and produced a spike in air pollution and reduced visibility. Weather forecasters have issued regular warnings of thick haze, especially in the mountainous regions of northeastern Vietnam.

The World Bank’s latest report on air pollution says 40 percent of residents in Hanoi are exposed to concentrations nearly five times higher than WHO-defined safe guidelines.

The city also ranked first on air monitoring website IQAir as the most polluted city in the world since late yesterday afternoon.Pollutant levels are recorded at PM2.5, which are cancer-causing micro-particles small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs. It is classified as ‘very unhealthy’ and exceeds 24 times the annual guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO says a number of serious health problems are linked to air pollution exposure, including stroke, heart disease and lung cancer.

Hanoi Bandar Paling Tercemar di Dunia

Ibu kota Vietnam, Hanoi diklasifikasikan sebagai bandar yang paling tercemar di dunia.

Bandar itu diselubungi pencemaran jerebu tebal semalam sehingga bangunan tinggi sukar dilihat dan menyebabkan hampir sembilan juta penduduk bandar itu menghirup udara beracun.

Sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini, Hanoi sering disenaraikan antara bandar paling tercemar di dunia, sebahagiannya disebabkan oleh pembinaan yang meluas dan pelepasan asap daripada sejumlah besar motosikal serta kereta yang merentas ibu kota setiap hari.

Pelepasan karbon dari loji arang batu di utara dan pembakaran terbuka bagi tujuan pertanian memburukkan lagi masalah itu.

Bulan lalu, puluhan penerbangan terjejas apabila jerebu tebal menyelubungi Hanoi dan menghasilkan lonjakan pencemaran udara serta menyebabkan jarak penglihatan menurun. Pakar ramalan cuaca sudah mengeluarkan amaran tetap mengenai jerebu tebal, terutama di kawasan pergunungan timur laut Vietnam.

Laporan terbaharu Bank Dunia mengenai pencemaran udara mengatakan 40 peratus penduduk di Hanoi terdedah kepada kepekatan hampir lima kali ganda berbanding garis panduan selamat ditakrifkan WHO.

Bandar itu juga menduduki tempat pertama di laman sesawang pemantauan udara IQAir sebagai bandar paling tercemar di dunia sejak lewat petang semalam.

Tahap pencemar direkodkan pada PM2.5 iaitu zarah mikro penyebab kanser yang cukup kecil bagi memasuki saluran darah menerusi paru-paru. Ia diklasifikasikan sebagai ‘sangat tidak sihat’ dan melebihi 24 kali ganda garis panduan tahunan ditetapkan Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO). WHO berkata beberapa masalah kesihatan yang serius dikaitkan dengan pendedahan pencemaran udara, termasuk strok, penyakit jantung dan kanser paru-paru.

One Motorcyclist Dies every Two Hours

Data from Malaysian authorities shows a very worrying statistic: One motorcyclist dies every two hours.

The statistics also show that 2023 is the most deadly year, with 6,443 deaths due to road accidents. It is the highest figure in five years.

Based on the data, there is an average of 18 deaths per day. It equates to one death every 80 minutes.

Motorcyclists are still the most high risk group, as two-thirds of those killed are motorcycle riders and pillions. A total of 4,480 motorcycle riders and passengers died in 2023.

This fact was revealed by the Malaysian Transport Minister, Dato’ Anthony Loke during a press conference at Parliament here, yesterday.

In another development, he also said that the Road Transport Department and the Royal Malaysian Police will publish information on the number of accidents and deaths due to road accidents in real time daily.

He hopes that this step can rasise public awareness toward road safety because road accidents are the main contributor to the death rate in this country. The method is akin to posting daily statistics for Covid-19 cases in the past.

The main difference is reporting on road accidents and deaths resulting from them daily, rather than traditionally as a total annually.

Seorang Penunggang Motosikal Maut setiap 2 Jam

Data pihak berkuasa Malaysia menunjukkan suatu satistik yang amat membimbangkan: Seorang penunggang motosikal maut setiap 2 jam.

Statistik tersebut juga menunjukan bahawa 2023 merupakan tahun yang paling merbahaya, dengan 6,443 orang kematian akibat kemalangan jalan raya. Ia merupakan angka tertinggi dalam tempoh lima tahun.

Berdasarkan data tersebut, terdapat purata 18 kematian setiap hari. Ia bersamaan dengan satu kematian setiap 80 minit.

Golongan bermotosikal masih merupakan kumpulan berisiko paling tinggi, kerana dua pertiga daripada jumlah itu merupakan penunggang dan pembonceng motosikal. Seramai 4,480 penunggang dan pembonceng motosikal telah maut pada 2023.

Hakitkat ini didedahkan oleh Menteri Pengangkutan Malaysia, Dato’ Anthony Loke ketika sidang media di Parlimen di sini, semalam.

Dalam satu perkembangan yang lain, beliau juga berkata Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan dan Polis DiRaja Malaysia akan menyiarkan maklumat mengenai angka kemalangan dan maut akibat kemalangan jalan raya dalam masa nyata (real time) setiap hari.

Beliau berharap langkah ini dapat menyedarkan orang ramai terhadap keselamatan jalan raya kerana kemalangan jalan raya merupakan penyumbang utama kepada kadar kematian di negara ini. Kaedah seakan penyiaran statistik harian bagi kes Covid-19 pada suatu masa yang lalu.

Langkah ini berlainan daripada laporan statistik kemalangan jalan raya dan kematian akibatnya pada setiap tahun.

Govt Allows Computerised Highway Code Test at Driving Institutes

Do you remember when you sat for the Computerized Highway Code test (KPP01) otherwise known as ujian undang-undang before moving on to the practical test for your driver’s license?

Depending to the driving institute we chose, we have to go to another driving institute or computerized test center to sit for the Highway Code test. But this difficulty can be avoided or reduced soon. The government has announced that they allow driving institutes to operate computerised test centers at their respective premises starting this April.

The Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke said, this will enable candidates to take the KPP test and the circuit test at the same place thus making it easier for them and reducing the waiting time.

“However, the driving institute that intends to open the test center is required to offer eTesting for circuit testing. Approved driving institutes will be required to also provide an eTesting system within one year,” he said.

This is possible as the data and questions are centralized and under the full control of the Road Transport Department (JPJ), allowing for computerized tests to be conducted at the driving institutes’ premises.

“This ia an initiative by the ministry and JPJ to simplify the requirements of owning a Malaysian Driving License and further support digitalisation of services,” he said.

Loke also said the maximum price for the KPP test is set at RM17 for motorcycles and RM27 for other vehicles.

Kerajaan Benarkan Ujian Undang-undang di Institut Memandu Mulai April

Masih ingatkah anda apabila anda mengambil ujian undang-undang berkomputer sebelum anda mendapatkan kebenaran untuk mengambil ujian praktikal untuk mendapatkan lesen memandu dahulu?

Mengikut institut memandu yang kita pilih, kita terpaksa pergi ke institut menandu atau pusat ujian berkomputer yang lain bagi mengambil ujian undang-undang. Tetapi kesusahan ini mungkin dapat dielakkan atau dikurangkan kerana kerajaan akan membenarkan institut memandu untuk mengendalikan pusat ujian undang-undang berkomputer (KPP01) di premis masing-masing mulai April ini.

Menteri Pengangkutan, Anthony Loke berkata, ini akan membolehkan calon mengambil ujian KPP dan ujian litar di tempat sama sekali gus memudahkan mereka serta mengurangkan masa menunggu.

“Namun IM yang berhasrat untuk membuka pusat ujian berkenaan disyaratkan untuk menawarkan eTesting bagi ujian litar.

“IM yang diluluskan akan diwajibkan untuk turut menyediakan sistem eTesting dalam tempoh satu tahun,” katanya.

Data dan soalan adalah berpusat dan di bawah kawalan penuh Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ), walaupun ujian undang-undang berkomputer boleh dijalankan di premis IM.

“Inisiatif yang diumumkan ini adalah usaha kementerian dan JPJ untuk mempermudahkan urusan pemilikan Lesen Memandu Malaysia dan seterusnya menyokong ke arah penyampaian perkhidmatan pendigitalan,” katanya.

Loke turut berkata harga maksimum untuk ujian KPP ditetapkan pada RM17 bagi motosikal dan RM27 bagi kenderaan lain.

Prototaip Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Didedahkan

Anda mungkin masih ingat yang kami pernah menyiarkan berita mengenai Husqvarna Vitpilen 901 sebelum ini. Ternyata kami tersilap kerana prototaip Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 telah didedahkan.

Sebelum ini, terdapat video acah yang mendorong video “suntingan penuh” pada 5 Mac. Ia menunjukkan sebuah motosikal yang ditunggang di atas di atas permukaan ais, serta dilengkapi dengan tayar berpancang. Apapun, ia mengesahkan ketibaan Svartpilen/Vitpilen yang lebih besar.

Husqvarna Vitpilen 901 is (Finally) Coming?

Video baharu yang dipanggil “A tale of dirt and ice” menunjukkan prototaip Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 secara keseluruhannya di atas tasik beku dan trek tanah.

Husqvarna berkata motosikal itu akan mempunyai keberatan kira-kira 181kg, walaupun ia tidak menyatakan samada ini ialah keberatan kering atau basah. Enjinnya yang dikongsi dengan 790 Duke menghasilkan 103.6 hp. Itu sebenarnya lebih tinggi sedikit daripada 103.3 hp yang terdapat pada 790 Duke.

Husky kini dimiliki oleh Pierer Mobility Group, yang juga memiliki KTM, antara jenama lain. Oleh itu, adalah selamat untuk mengandaikan bahawa motosikal yang akan datang ini berkongsi asas yang sama dengan 790 KTM, seperti model lain dalam barisan Husqvarna. Contohnya, Svartpilen 401 dan Vitpilen 401.

Oleh itu, enjin LC8c silinder berkembar akan dipasang pada rangka keluli. Lengan ayun yang sama juga muncul dalam video. Perbezaan utama di sini ialah subframe, kemungkinan berlainan bentuk bagi memudahkan tunggangan flattrack dalam video. Dan sudah tentu, fork WP Apex digunakan memandangkan WP Suspension juga milik Pierer Mobility.

Di segi ciri elektronik, motosikal ini mungkin termasuk mod Supermoto ABS yang membolehkan penunggang meluncur roda belakang. Penunggang dalam video itu boleh dilihat melakukan aksi sedemikian. Kita juga boleh menantikan skrin TFT dengan sambungan multimedia, kawalan cengkaman, quickshifter, dan sebagainya seperti dengan 790 Duke.

Husqvarna berkata, “Model kelas pertengahan serba baharu ini telah direka bentuk untuk memberikan gabungan prestasi, ketangkasan dan gaya terkini yang berkuasa untuk menunggang ke tahap yang lebih tinggi.

“Kepelbagaian Svartpilen 801 dipertingkatkan lagi dengan bantuan penunggang elektronik terkini, termasuk Easy Shift [quickshifter atas/bawah] untuk penukaran gear yang lancar, sebagai standard.”

Jadi apa yang seterusnya? Pendedahan penuh tahap global akan dibuat pada 19 Mac 2024. Dan sudah tentu, Vitpilen 801 pasti akan menyusul dalam masa terdekat.

Prototype Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 Breaks Cover

Remember we posted earlier about the Husqvarna Vitpilen 901? It turns out that we were off the mark as the prototype Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 was revealed, instead.

Previously, there was a previous teaser video which prompted the 5th March “full edit” video. It showed a bike being taken through its paces on a frozen surface, complete with spiked tyres. Still, it confirmed the arrival of a bigger Svartpilen/Vitpilen.

Husqvarna Vitpilen 901 is (Finally) Coming?

The new video called “A tale of dirt and ice” shows the prototype Svartpilen 801 in its entirety on a frozen lake and flattrack oval.

Husqvarna says the bike will weigh some 181kg, although it was not revealed if this is the dry or kerb weight. The engine, which is the LC8c shared with 790 Duke, produces 103.6 hp. That is actually slightly more than the 790 Duke’s 103.3 hp.

Husky is now owned by the Pierer Mobility Group, who in turn owns KTM, among other brands. Thus, it is safe to assume that this coming bike shares the same underpinnings with the 790 KTM, as with other models in the Husqvarna lineup. Examples are the Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401.

As such, the twin-cylinder LC8c engine will be attached to a steel frame. The same type of swingarm also appears in the video. The main difference here is the subframe, most likely to facilitate flattrack riding in the video. And of course, the WP Apex forks since WP Suspension also belongs to Pierer Mobility.

On the electronics front, the bike may well include Supermoto ABS mode which allows the rider to slide the rear wheel. The rider in the video can be seen performing such stunt. We can look forward to a TFT screen with multimedia connectivity, traction control, quickshifter, and so on as with the 790 Duke.

Husqvarna says, “The all-new middleweight model has been engineered to deliver a powerful combination of performance, agility and contemporary style to take riding to even greater heights.

“The versatility of the Svartpilen 801 is enhanced further by state-of-the-art electronic rider aids, including Easy Shift [an up/down quickshifter] for seamless gear changes, as standard.”

So what is next? The full world reveal will be on 19th March 2024 so stay tuned! And of course, a Vitpilen 801 will surely follow in the near future.

Apakah Piawaian untuk Pad Brek?

Tidak perlu dikatakan, pad brek (brake pad) adalah sebahagian daripada komponen yang membuatkan sistem brek beroperasi, tanpa mengira samada ia jenis sistem hidraulik atau dram. Tiada pad brek, tiada brek! Jadi, apakah piawaian untuk pad brek?

Jadi, apakah piawaian itu?

Pertama sekali, kita bermula dengan kenapa adanya keperluan untuk sesuatu piawaian.

Piawaian menggunakan kaedah ujian berulang yang biasanya mengikut aliran kemajuan. Piawaian juga memastikan bahawa mana-mana produk yang diuji dan diluluskan memenuhi sesuatu set keperluan yang tertentu – biasanya untuk faedah keselamatan kepada pengguna. Sebaliknya, pengeluar boleh melakukan apa sahaja sesuka hati sehingga merugikan pengguna. Contoh terbaik ialah topi keledar motosikal.

Jadi, untuk pad brek yang terutamanya yang diimport, ia diuji dan diluluskan melalui:

ECE R90

“ECE” bermaksud Suruhanjaya Ekonomi Eropah (Economic Commission of Europe). Juga kadangkala ditandakan sebagai “CE” untuk Conformité Européenne.
“R” bermaksud Peraturan (Regulation).
“90” ialah nombor piawain. (Ingat tak topi keledar motosikal jatuh di bawah piawaian R22?)

Hampir mana-mana produk yang dijual di negara Kesatuan Eropah mestilah diuji dan disahkan mengikut piawaian masing-masing.

Bagaimana pula dengan Malaysia?

Malaysia mempunyai piawaian sendiri untuk pad brek, iaitu:

MS1164:2015

“MS” bermaksud Malaysian Standards (Piawaian Malaysia).
“1164” ialah nombor piawaian.
“2015” ialah tahun semakan.

Dan piawaian manakah yang harus saya ikuti?

MS1164:2015 berkuat kuasa mulai 1 November 2015 dan pad brek buatan Malaysia mesti mempunyai huruf ini dicetak pada plat belakang pad.

Pad yang diimport harus mempunyai standard ECE R90 yang dicetak padanya. Tetapi pengimport atau pengeluar juga boleh mendapatkan kelulusan standard MS1164:2015.

Sebaik-baiknya gunakanlah pad brek yang diperakui piawaian ECE R90 atau MS1164:2015 atau kedua-duanya. JANGAN berkompromi dengan pad brek (atau mana-mana komponen brek) kerana ia melibatkan keselamatan anda dan orang tersayang.

Kami akan menyentuh lebih lanjut mengenai ujian yang terlibat dalam masa terdekat.

What are the Standards for Brake Pads?

Needless to say, brake pads are part of what makes the brake system as a whole operate, and it is true for regardless if it is a hydraulic or drum system. No brake pad, no brakes! So, what are the standards for brake pads?

So, what is/are the standards?

Firstly, we must always start by determining the need for standards.

Standards call for repeatable testing methods that usually resonate with advancements. Standards also ensure that any tested and approved product meets a certain set of requirements – usually for safety benefits to consumers. On the other hand, manufacturers could do anything as the please to the detriment of consumers. The best example is the motorcycle helmet.

So, for brake pads, especially imported ones, are tested and approved through:

ECE R90

“ECE” stands for Economic Commission of Europe. Also sometimes marked as “CE” for Conformité Européenne.
“R” stands for Regulation.
“90” is the number of the standard. (Remember that motorcycle helmet falls under R22?)

Virtually any product sold in the European Union countries must be test and certified to their respective standards.

How about Malaysia?

Malaysia has her own standards for brake pads, namely:

MS1164:2015

“MS” stands for Malaysian Standards.
“1164” is the standard’s number.
“2015” is the year of the revision.

And which standard should I go by?

The MS1164:2015 came into effect as of 1st November 2015 and brake pads made in Malaysia must have these letters printed on the pads’ backing plate.

Imported pads should have the ECE R90 standard printed on them. But the importer or producer may also seek the approval of the MS1164:2015 standard.

Best to go for brake pads that are certified to ECE R90 or MS1164:2015 or both. DO NOT compromise on brake pads or any brake component, for that matter, because they involve yours and your loved ones’ safety.

We shall touch more on the tests involved in the near future.

Government Urged to Abolish Gombak and Karak Toll Plazas

Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) urged the government to abolish the Gombak and Karak tolls to reduce traffic congestion on the highway.

According to him, users need to stop at four toll plazas to use the East Coast Highway (LPT).

“For example, on the east coast highway, we have four tolls where users have to stop. The Gombak Toll, the Bentong Toll, the Karak Toll and the exit. As for easing the burden on users, the government should use two methods. Only when entering and exiting.

“(As such) two tolls need to be abolished. The Gombak toll and the Karak toll do not need to be held because they cause slow traffic and congestion,” he said during the royal decree debate session.

Commenting further, Tuan Ibrahim who is also the Leader of the Pahang State Opposition and Deputy President of PAS claimed that highway congestion is now one of the failures of the ministry and operators.

“I see this as a failure on the part of the ministry and the operators who operate the highway. Highway congestion is extreme and occurs throughout the country, especially in toll plaza areas,” he said.

In the meantime, he also urged the government to ensure that there is no road repair or patching work during peak hours.

“Yesterday I came back from Kota Bharu. Concession workers are repairing the highway over the bridge in the highway area in Kemaman. There are many cars during peak hours and yet they chose to repair the patch on the bridge. This should not happen and we ask the government to make sure there is no road repairs at peak user times which cause extreme congestion,” he said.

Gesaan Mansuhkan Tol Gombak, Karak Tangani Kesesakan

Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) menggesa kerajaan mansuhkan tol Gombak dan Karak bagi mengurangkan kesesakan di lebuh raya tersebut.

Menurutnya, pengguna yang mahu menggunakan Lebuh Raya Pantai Timur (LPT), mereka terpaksa berhenti di empat tol.

“Sebagai contoh, di lebuh raya pantai timur, kita ada empat tol yang pengguna terpaksa berhenti. Tol Gombak, Tol Bentong, Tol Karak dan laluan keluar. Sedangkan untuk meringankan beban pengguna, sepatutnya kerajaan menggunakan dua kaedah. Sewaktu masuk dan waktu keluar sahaja.

“Dua tol perlu dihapuskan. Tol Gombak dan tol Karak tidak perlu diadakan sebab ia melambatkan dan menyesakkan,” katanya semasa sesi perbahasan titah diraja.

Mengulas lanjut, Tuan Ibrahim yang juga Ketua Pembangkang Negeri Pahang dan Timbalan Presiden PAS mendakwa kesesakan lebuh raya kini adalah antara kegagalan pihak kementerian dan operator.

“Saya melihat ini antara kegagalan pihak kementerian dan operator yang mengendalikan lebuh raya. Kesesakan lebuh raya sangat melampau dan berlaku di seluruh negara terutama di kawasan plaza tol,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau juga menggesa kerajaan untuk memastikan tidak ada kerja pembaikan atau penampalan jalan ketika waktu kemuncak.

“Semalam saya balik dari Kota Bharu. Pekerja konsesi membaiki lebuh raya di atas jambatan di kawasan lebuh raya di Kemaman. Waktu kemuncak, kereta sangat banyak. Dia boleh baiki tampalan atas jambatan. Sepatutnya perkara ini tidak berlaku dan kita minta pihak kerajaan memastikan tidak ada pembaikan jalan pada waktu puncak pengguna yang menyebabkan kesesakan sangat melampau,” katanya.