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16-Year-Old Driver Caused 5 Deaths in Road Accident

A road accident caused by a 16-year-old driver has killed 5 victims. The incident occurred in Kuching, Sarawak, yesterday.

Kuching District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said that four of the victims, aged between 16 and 45, including a woman, died at the scene.

He said that another victim, a 16-year-old boy, was confirmed dead while receiving treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

“The accident on Jalan Teo Kui Seng-Stutong Baru at about 12.50pm occurred when a car from Jalan Lapangan Terbang heading towards Jalan Seria Raja lost control and skidded into the opposite lane.

“The car then crashed into two motorcycles and two cars in the opposite lane,” he said in a statement tonight.

Mohd Farhan said the 16-year-old boy who was driving the Proton Saga that crashed into four other vehicles is still receiving treatment at HUS due to a neck injury.

“Three other victims who also suffered injuries are also receiving further treatment at HUS,” he said.

The four other vehicles involved in the accident were a Toyota Altis, a Proton Saga and two motorcycles, a Yamaha and a Modenas.

According to him, the boy, who does not have a driving licence, will be detained after he receives treatment at HUS.

“He will be detained for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which is causing death by reckless and dangerous driving.

“If convicted, they can be sentenced to between five and 10 years in prison and a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM50,000,” he said.

He also appealed to the public who have information regarding the incident to contact traffic investigation officer, Assistant Superintendent Lucas Apin at 013-8246881 / 082- 259900 or any nearby police station.

Goodyear Sells Dunlop to Sumitomo

Goodyear has sold the Dunlop brand to the Japanese tyre brand Sumitomo, for a reported deal of USD701 million (MYR3.1 billion).

The entire deal is a little convoluted, as Sumitomo already owns the Dunlop brand since 1985 to produce Dunlop tyres under license for certain markets. However, Sumitomo did not buy the entire company. Then, in 2015, Sumitomo reacquired Dunlop’s entire motorcycle tire division from Goodyear.

The latest deal sees Sumitomo buying the entire Dunlop brand (including the car tyres) and their manufacturing facilities. The deal is part of Goodyear’s plan to streamline its operations, which it laid out in its ‘Goodyear Forward’ transformation plan. The plan has seen the closure of several factories around the world including in Malaysia, recently.

As well as the purchase price paid to acquire the brand, Sumitomo will also pay a “Transition Fee” and while it sounds like a lock, stock, and barrel purchase, in Europe at least, Dunlop will continue to manufacture, sell and distribute Dunlop branded consumer tyres until at least December 31, 2025. Furthermore, Dunlop will still supply certain branded tyres to Sumitomo for the European market for a five-year period, with quantities of 4.5 million tyres per year required to oblige the contract.

Speaking about the deal, Mark Stewart, Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President, said: “This is another important milestone as we continue to execute against our Goodyear Forward transformation plan. We are optimising our portfolio and reducing leverage to drive sustainable and substantial shareholder value creation … Not only does the transaction deliver significant value for our shareholders, it better positions Goodyear to enhance our focus on the growth of our core brands.”

“Our team conducted a comprehensive process focused on maximising value for Goodyear through a divestment of our Dunlop Brand, and we are very pleased with the outcome achieved,” said Christina Zamarro, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “We are committed to working closely with SRI to ensure a smooth transition for customers of the Dunlop Brand.“

Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally Wins Africa Eco Race Again

As we published previously, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 surprised everyone when it won last year’s Africa Eco Race rally in maiden attempt. As such, the factory was more than keen to defend the title with the Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally this year.

Racing the bike to the top podium was Italian rider Jacopo Cerutti who beat Alessandro Botturi on the Yamaha Ténéré 700 by a mere 26 seconds. The duel was thrilling as the two riders took on the last stage with only 9 seconds separating them in the overall standings. The two Italian riders fought for every kilometre but Botturi, in addition to a navigation error, found himself stuck in a net that he dragged to the finish line.

Cerutti had not only conquered the gruelling race, but also several challenges such a gastrointestinal virus, issues with the mousse in his rear tire, and non-functioning navigation instruments. In the end, Cerutti defended his title all the way to the last kilometre, and taking five stage victories and another two podiums.

He said, “Winning the Africa Eco Race for the second consecutive year is a dream. We had an outstanding advantage in the sand, both because of my riding style and the performance of the Tuareg Rally, and I was able to exploit it fully. It was an edition where strategy was fundamental and, in the last two days, I accomplished an undertaking that even I did not think possible. Congratulations also to Alessandro Botturi, it was great to have an opponent like him and to fight to the end.”

Cerutti’s teammate and race debutant, Marco Menichini, took victory in the Junior Under 25 class and sixth overall, as well as third place in the multi-cylinder class, on the other Aprilia Tuareg 660.

Yamaha star Pol Tarres also competed in this year’s Africa Eco Race but crashed at Kilometer 111 of Stage 2 while fighting for the win. He lost consciousness for several minutes and had to be airlifted to safety. He is safe and recovering from his injuries.

The sixteenth edition of the Africa Eco Race began in Monaco and crossing over to the breathtaking landscapes of Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. The rally actually traces the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally’s and Thierry Sabine’s legacy, and as such, it has come to be known as “The Real Race to Dakar” in recent years. Spanning 14 days and 12 challenging stages, it covered roughly 6,000 km of unforgiving terrain.

AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 Launched

Suzuki Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., in collaboration with the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA), launched the AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 at Dataran Ilmu, Selayang Stadium, today.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Transport of Malaysia, together with a host of guests of honour.

The campaign, themed “Share the Road, Ride Wisely” in 2025, is being organised for the 2nd time by Suzuki Malaysia and the 8th time by AFY Mobility Industries (AMI). It aims to raise awareness of road safety among motorcyclists, vehicle drivers, and the general public.

In his speech, YB Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah highlighted the alarming road accident statistics: “Based on the latest statistics from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), a total of 5,939 deaths were recorded from 585,729 accident cases reported up to November 2024. Of this total, 67% or 4,014 deaths involved motorcycle riders and pillion riders, with the majority consisting of youths aged 16 to 35 years. This group is now the largest contributor to the number of deaths due to road accidents.”

Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi also stressed the importance of having a valid driving license for motorcyclists: “I would like to draw the attention of all parties to the critical need to have a valid driving license before being allowed to ride a motorcycle on the road. This basic step is important to ensure the safety of all road users.”

He also reiterated the government’s commitment through the safety and enforcement agencies under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia in efforts to address this challenge and improve road safety for all users.

Campaign Activities and Programs

The campaign also offers various interesting activities to visitors, including:

Free motorcycle inspection – ‘16-point check’ by certified Suzuki Malaysia mechanics.
Replacement of 400 units of new helmets to motorcyclists.
Giving out children’s helmets as a symbolic measure to protect young passengers.
Exhibition of motorcycles and safety accessories.

Yang Berbahagia En. Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya, Executive Chairman of Suzuki Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Group in his speech emphasized Suzuki Malaysia’s commitment to continue supporting road safety initiatives, especially motorcyclists, for the well-being of the community.

Campaign Opening

The opening ceremony was concluded with a symbolic gong beating event by Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Hasbi bin Haji Habibollah, together with Yang Berbahagia Encik Yap Kiew San, Chairman of MMSDA, and Yang Berbahagia En. Ahmad Faez Bin Tan Sri Yahaya.

Closing and Hope

The AMI-Suzuki Road Safety Campaign 2025 provides various activities and educational opportunities to increase road safety awareness. With the cooperation of all parties, this campaign is expected to contribute to reducing accident rates and creating a safer road culture in Malaysia.

Adventure Motorcycles for New Riders (2025) – Part 1

Adventure motorcycles are already known for their comfort and versatility, hence why the segment is still growing. While we ride 99.9% of the time on paved roads, adventure bikes still provide many advantages, including long-travel suspension is able to soak up bumps and irregularities, tall ride height which gives the ride great all-round vision, comfortable ergonomics, and the ability to be fitted with luggage and bags.

Then of course, there is ever present capability for off-road exploring although that potential depends on the specific motorcycle and rider.

Speaking of the rider, it is perhaps unwise for a new rider get the most powerful and fastest adventure bike, especially if you plan to do some off-roading. So, here are XX adventure motorcycles for new riders, which we have updated for 2025.

1. Honda CRF250 Rally

It all began with the CRF250L in 2013, then the CRF250L Adventure, before becoming the present CRF250 Rally. Built to look like the CRF450 Rally Dakar racer, this bike looks the part and is easy to ride. There is even a built-in tool space in the left underseat panel.

250cc, single cylinder engine, which does 24hp at 9,000 RPM, 23Nm at 6,000 RPM.
12.8-litre fuel tank, 153kg.
885mm seat height.
Selling price: RM28,599.
Pros: Easy to ride, lightweight.
Cons: Seat height may be too tall for new riders.

2. Modenas Versys-X 250

The Versys-X 250 is a popular model as it has a lower seat height, and is gear more towards a sport-tourer although it does have some off-road capabilities. But get this: Modenas equips the bike with a pair of side cases as standard equipment in Malaysia.

249cc, parallel-twin engine, producing 32.5hp at 11,500 RPM, 21.7Nm at 10,000 RPM.
17-litre fuel tank, 181kg.
815mm seat height.
Selling price: RM24,900.
Pros: Fast for a small cc adventure bike, low seat height.
Cons: Peaky engine (needs lotsa revs), rudimentary suspension.

3. Suzuki V-Strom 250SX

The V-Strom 250SX is a long-awaited model and had just been launched in Malaysia last year. All we can say is it was worth the wait. While the engine does not boost any new tech and looked underpowered on paper, it was full of low- and mid-range torque. And when coupled to a superb suspension, the bike was actually sweet to ride. In fact, it felt a lot like riding the KTM 250 Adventure, but at a much lower price. Build quality was the best even beating out the Honda.

249cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, two-valve, oil-cooled engine, producing 26hp, 24Nm.
12-litre fuel tank, 167kg.
835mm seat height.
Selling price: RM17,800.
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, great value for money.
Cons: No assist and slipper clutch.

4. KTM 250 Adventure

The KTM 250 Adventure is gear more towards the adventure side of purpose, hence you can hit the trails put of the box. However, it is also a practical bike everyday riding and touring. The suspension is also more supple compared to its 390 Adventure sibling’s. It is also much simpler.

249cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 29.5hp at 9,3000 RPM, 22.72Nm at 7,300 RPM.
14.5-litre fuel tank, 156kg.
855mm seat height.
Selling price: RM24,000
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, the most adventure-ready of the lot.
Cons: No assist and slipper clutch.

5. BMW G 310 GS

This bike always seems to escape everyone’s attention for some reason. Is it due to price? Maintenance costs? Reliability? Do let us know because we have reviewed it and found it to be a rather good all-rounder.

313cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine, producing 34hp at 9,250 RPM, 28Nm at 7,500 RPM.
11.5-litre fuel tank, 175kg.
855mm seat height.
Selling price: RM31,500
Pros: Torquey engine, compliant suspension, best all-rounder.
Cons: You tell us!

Vespa 946 Snake Limited Edition Launched in Italy

The new Vespa 946 Snake limited edition has been launched to celebrate the Lunar Calendar’s Year of the Snake celebration. Vespa had also released the 946 Dragon to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, in 2024. In any case, the Vespa 946 snake is limited to just 888 units.

Vespa says the design is “inspired by icy landscapes”: Simple yet eye-catching, the model features a series of accessories, and has been created with particular attention to design and functionality.

Snake-inspired details are evident in the handlebar grips and the seat, which mirror the reptile’s characteristic skin texture, while there are chrome elements featured across the fuel tank and mudguard to complete the model’s aesthetics.

Additionally, Vespa has a helmet with a removable interior and smoked visor along with a very stylish Bomber jacket specifically made to suit the model. By contrast, the 946 Dragon had a jacket only.

Vespa is planning to implement an international retail strategy through pop-up stores in various locations. The tour for the 946 Snake will begin in Rome, at Rinascente Tritone, followed by Galeries Lafayette on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. This is already ongoing and will end on 5 February. The itinerary also includes stops at flagship stores in Milan, Vienna, Beijing, Istanbul, Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi, and Jakarta.

Pre-orders for the new Vespa 946 Snake began on 8 January with further information on the official Vespa website.

70-Year-Old KTM Controlled Foundry goes Bankrupt

A 70-year-old KTM controlled foundry has gone bankrupt.

The Austrian foundry, called Vöcklabrucker Metallgießerei Dambauer GmbH (VMG) was a family business and Pierer Beteiligungs GmbH took over 70 per cent of the business in 2022. The news outlet OÖNachrichten (OON) reported that the company had 150 employees and a turnover of €32 million at the time of the takeover.

Half of VMD’s sales was to KTM, while the other half came from other clients, including some from BMW.

OON further reported that KTM Components AG had promised VMG’s bosses that the former will keep the foundry afloat by providing funds including for the workers’ salaries, despite KTM’s struggles.

Unfortunately that did not come to pass as there seems to be no plan to restructure the company. It is a big blow to the staff, who are reported to be still owed wages, and also for the family that built the company. VMG was slated to celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2025.

A spokesman from the creditors’ protection association KSV1870 said, “We assume that the debtor company will be closed in bankruptcy court as quickly as possible after a prior examination by the insolvency administrator and that the remaining assets will be utilized in the best possible way.”

In other words, the creditors are keen to be repaid and VMG’s assets will be sold off.

MACC Arrests Another 13 Puspakom Vehicle Inspectors

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested 13 more Puspakom vehicle inspection officers. The total number of arrests now stands at 19 Puspakom officers, 1 agent, and 2 runners.

All the male suspects, aged between 20 and 40, were detained between 1pm and 2pm yesterday and 10am and 3pm today while they were giving statements at the MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya.

“Initial investigations found that all the suspects were believed to have received bribes of between RM150 and RM1,500 per month in cash from runners in return for helping to pass vehicle inspections where they were working.

“The arrest of all the suspects follows the arrest of six vehicle inspection officers last Monday and also the result of interrogation conducted by the MACC on an agent who was handed over by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) earlier,” said a source.

Meanwhile, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations), Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya when contacted confirmed the arrest and said that the case is being investigated under Section 16 (b) (A) of the MACC Act 2009.

However, he said that all 13 vehicle inspection officers who were arrested yesterday and today will be released on MACC bail after their statements are taken.

We have featured news on the arrest of 6 Puspkom vehicle inspection officers by the Anti-Corruption Commission Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) a few days ago. Following that, there were some rather interesting comments such as, “Provide a bigger lockup.” There was also an allegation by a lorry driver that he was denied approval three times until he hired the services of a ‘runner.’

1,300 Bookings for Zontes 368G Scooter Within One Week

It looks like Zontes has hit the sweet spot here in Malaysia, as there are already 1,300 bookings for the Zontes 368G scooter within one week of its official launch. It was launched on 2nd January 2025.

Begin Press Release:

ZONTES Malaysia is delighted to announce that, until now (9th January) the recently launched ZONTES 368G has received more than 1300 bookings. With a basic selling price (BSP) of RM28,800, this adventure scooter has become a popular choice among Malaysians who are seeking a versatile ride on the road, whether it is for daily commutes or light off-roading.

The ZONTES 368G Adventure Scooter is a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) model manufactured in a local CKD assembly plant in Jitra, Kedah. Riders can enjoy top-quality scooter features such as a larger-than-average fuel tank and extensive safety features at an inexpensive price. After the production and inspection stages, this model is scheduled to be delivered in March 2025, ensuring owners receive their product with utmost satisfaction.

In the meantime, interested buyers are welcome to arrange a viewing and make a booking at any authorised ZONTES dealer across Malaysia. On top of that, ZONTES Malaysia will be hosting a nationwide roadshow from 3rd January to 6th April 2025. Biking enthusiasts can seize this opportunity to have a closer view of this adventure scooter.

You may refer to this table for specific dates and details:

For more information on the ZONTES 368G, please visit the official website of ZONTES Malaysia at https://zontesmalaysia.com/

Zontes 368G First Ride Review, The Game Changer

Bajaj Hit 3.1 Million Registrations in 2024

Bajaj Auto recorded 3.1 million motorcycle registrations worldwide in 2024, a 10.6% rise. It was not far from their highest record.

The data was provided by the website MotorCycles Data who track actual registrations by consumers, rather than sales invoiced to dealers by the manufacturers.

The company’s sales growth was almost entirely driven by domestic consumption, taking the brand to fourth place in India behind Honda, Hero, and Yamaha.

By contrast, Bajaj’s share in the global market saw some drops, apart the African continent, where the demand is for cheap vehicles and consumers are considering Bajaj Auto as an alternative to Chinese motorcycles. 96% of the total sales and exports were mainly to Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.

The manufacturer also holds a strong position in South America, exporting from the local plant based in Colombia.

Biggest gainers were India (+13.4%), Brazil (+136%), and Nicaragua (+53%). Markets that saw the sharpest drops were Bangladesh (-27%), Philippines (-10.2%), and Argentina (-15.6%).

Overall, Bajaj Auto lost one place in the world ranking, dropping to 6th, behind TVS Motor.

MACC Arrests 6 Puspakom Officers, 2 Individuals

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested eight individuals, including six vehicle inspection officers, who were suspected of being involved in a syndicate that approved heavy vehicle inspections at a Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) in the capital.

Sources said that all the male suspects, aged between 30 and 50, were arrested when they appeared to give statements at the MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya from 12 noon to 11 pm.

“The arrest of all the suspects is the result of an interrogation conducted by the MACC on an agent who was handed over by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) earlier.

“However, the six vehicle inspection officers involved have been released on MACC bail after their statements were taken,” he said.

The six inspection officers have been suspended by Puspakom.

PUSPAKOM Chief Executive Officer Mahmood Razak Bahman said his party views the case seriously and will not tolerate any misconduct, especially involving the integrity of vehicle inspection operations.

“PUSPAKOM will not protect anyone involved in corruption,” he said.

Meanwhile, two other individuals have been remanded for five days starting today until January 11.

The remand order was issued by Magistrate Irza Zulaikha after an application was made by the MACC at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court, this morning.

Meanwhile, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operations), Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, when contacted, confirmed the arrests and informed that the case is being investigated under Section 16 (b) (A) of the MACC Act 2009.

According to him, so far the MACC has arrested nine individuals and does not rule out the possibility of several follow-up arrests being made to assist in the investigation.

New Colours for 2025 Honda Wave Alpha

Boon Siew Honda announces new colours for the 2025 Honda Wave Alpha. The long-running model is popular among those who seek a simple, round-around motorcycle.

The rest of the bike stays unchanged. Hence it is powered by the same EEV (energy efficient vehicle)-certified 109.2cc engine with Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), which delivers optimised performance and enhanced fuel efficiency. The 7.3-litre under-seat storage space is still there, allowing for the rider to carry small items such as a rainsuit, jacket, or other personal belongings. The fuel tank capacity remains at 4.1 litres.

Braking is handled by a single disc up front and a drum brake at the back.

The new colours are called Silver, Blue, Red and the classic Black. Net selling price excluding road tax, insurance, and registration is RM5,309 for Silver, Blue, and Red, while the Black option sells for RM5,259.

For your peace of mind, Boon Siew Honda offers two years or 20,000 manufacturing warranty, whichever comes first. For more information, please click www.boonsiewhonda.com.my or visit the nearest Honda Impian X. Customers may also reach Boon Siew Honda via our toll-free number at 1-800-88-3993.