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New vehicle sales increased by 31 percent in January 2024 compared to January 2023.

A total of 65,499 units were sold compared to 50,168 units in the same month last year, following higher sales of passenger vehicles, said the Malaysian Automobile Association (MAA). The total sales consisted of 59,394 units of passenger vehicles, while 6,105 units were commercial vehicles.

The MAA added that the total industry volume (TIV) for January 2024 is however down 16 percent compared to December 2023 which recorded 78,398 units. “The higher sales in December 2023 was due to companies increasing vehicle deliveries to meet their outstanding orders, especially for companies with financial years ending December 2023 as well as purchases at low prices during the end of the year.”

At the same time, 76,077 units of vehicles were produced by automakers in January 2024. This number is a large increase compared to 58,527 units in January 2023. Of these two totals, 71,666 units were passenger vehicles, while another 4,411 units were vehicles trade in January 2024. Compared to January last year, 54,663 were passenger vehicles, and 3,864 units were commercial vehicles.

MAA expects lower vehicle sales in February 2024 as there was a long holiday in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.

Regardless, the report did not separate the amount of sales by type of vehicle such as motorcycles, passenger cars, SUVs, and so on. It also does not separate vehicle sales by region or state.

In a separate news, industry vehicle sales are expected to decline overall for 2024 compared to 2023. A total of 799,731 units were sold last year, which was a record high.

That news published last January, said that Kenaga Research expects the total sales of 710,000 units of vehicles until the end of this year. RHB Research on the other hand projected the sales of only 625,000 units. Both figures are lower than the 740,000 units expected by MAA.

Kenanga Research said they expect a decline in sales as the withdrawal of fuel subsidies will impact demand for mid-size vehicles. However, sales of affordable vehicles may not be affected.

They also noted that a new car is still an affordable luxury for most Malaysian households despite high inflation and a slow global economy.

Five suspects accused of tying and beating a car driver to death last week were charged for murder in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. All those charged were between 22 and 43 years old and work as food delivery riders.

All suspects nodded in understanding after the charge was read out in front of the Magistrate. However, no plea was recorded as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The magistrate also did not allow bail to be granted and the court fixed April 25 for the submission of forensic status, chemical and autopsy reports.

They were charged in accordance with Section 302 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same code which carries the death penalty or imprisonment between 30 and 40 years, and if not sentenced to death, must be whipped 12 times.

A man believed to be a member of the victim’s family shouted “Bang, kau tunggu (Bro, you wait)” towards all the accused after the proceedings. He was comforted by his family members before being ordered out of court by the police.

They are accused of killing one a self-employed person, Shahril Samad, at Taman Pelangi Semenyih 2, Beranang on 20th February. Witnesses at the scene claimed that the victim was pulled out of the car by several people after his car skidded and hit the fence of a house. His hands were tied and he was beaten to death.

Police have confirmed that the victim had hit two food delivery vehicles shortly before the tragic incident. He was then chased by the suspects until his car crashed.

Driver Beaten to Death was Drug Positive

BMW Motorrad Malaysia will introduce the BMW R 18 Roctane, at the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) showcase, happening from 1 st to 3 rd March at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

The R18 Roctane is the fifth edition to the R 18 family which combines time-honoured design elements with updated  riding technology to provide a uniquely stylish touring experience.

Sashi Ambihaipahan, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at BMW GroupMalaysia said, “Rolling in  as a stylish symbol of SoulFuel in its own right, we are thrilled to preview the New BMW R 18 Roctane for our hot-rod touring enthusiasts in Malaysia. The Roctane edition, paired with our formidable “Big Boxer” engine, demonstrates our continued mission to always Make Life A Ride; offering superior riding experiences, whether on a relaxing solo cruise or a thrilling group ride. This, coupled with exclusive programmes for the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) showcase this weekend, further delivers on our promise to provide customers with the Premium Ownership Experience across our entire portfolio of premium vehicles.”

The BMW R 18 Roctane draws inspiration from iconic BMW models like the BMW R 5, prioritising the fundamental elements of motorcycling: pure, no-frills , which has long been the heart of BMW Motorrad’s riding joy. This combination sets out to create a truly unique and emotionally resonant riding experience, accentuated by meticulously crafted design elements, including a sleek rear section designed for optimal aerodynamics.

Highlights:

  • Inspired by iconic BMW models such as the BMW R 5, with pure, no-frills technology centred around the Boxer engine.
  • The chassis of the new BMW R 18 Roctane is built upon a double-loop tubular steel frame.
  • Akin to the legendary BMW R 5, the rear swingarm envelops the rear axle drive.
  • The New BMW R 18 Roctane also boasts well-balanced ergonomics with the presence of mid-mounted foot pegs.
  • Other features include  a two-level seat, as well as updated running boards, gearshift paddle, and high
    handlebars coated in sleek black.
  • The New BMW R 18 Roctane is offered in Mineral Grey Metallic as well as Manhattan Metallic Matt.
  • The heart of the BMW R 18 Roctane is the traditional air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke Boxer engine, the largest boxer engine of the proud Heritage line-up, also called the ‘big boxer’.
  • With a capacity of 1,802 cc, it also stands as the most powerful 2-cylinder boxer engine ever produced in BMW Motorrad’s Heritage line-up, delivering an output of 67 kW (91HP) at 4,750 rpm and a peak torque of 150 Nm.
  • Riding assistance features for the BMW R 18 Roctane includes Automatic Stability Control (ASC), along with three standard riding modes – Rock, Roll and Rain.
  • Optional features for the bagger include the new Adaptive Headlight, that activates separate LED elements in the main headlight, allowing for better road illumination, especially when cornering.
  • Among other additional features are Hill Start Control, Headlight Pro, Reverse Gear Aid, Daytime Riding Light, Cruise Control, and lockable fuel filler cap.
  • The estimated pricing for the BMW R 18 Roctane is RM 160,000.

For more information on the BMW R 18 Roctane, please visit your preferred BMW Motorrad Showroom or the official website here.

Customers are welcome to view the BMW R 18 Roctane and experience all these exclusive offers at the BMW Premium Selection (BPS) Showcase by BMW Group Malaysia, happening March 1st to 3rd 2024 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium (Carpark B) from 9:00AM to 7:00PM daily.

Visit the website HERE to RSVP your spot.

JSPT (Jabatan Siasatan dan Penguatkuasaan Trafik / Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department) Bukit Aman is investigating the actions of an escort who stopped a truck in a dangerous manner.

The director of the department, Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said he was aware of the incident. “JSPT will investigate the incident and in terms of compliance with standard operating procedures,” he told Harian Metro.

The incident went viral after a 35-second clip believed to be a dashboard camera recording from the lorry was uploaded on social media.

The video shows a police escort suddenly swerving in front of a lorry and ordering the driver to stop immediately. The truck was able to stop but within a very close distance to the two motorcycles in front of it. The escort himself was also in danger should the truck’s brakes malfunction.

Every road user, what more trained enforcers such as traffic police, should be aware of the braking distances of other vehicles, especially for heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses. The weight of heavy vehicles produce very high momentum thus requiring a longer stopping distances. In addition, the driver may lose control of the vehicle when applying sudden braking.

Apart from that, drivers behind the bus or lorry may also be affected because they cannot see further ahead apart from the back of the bus or lorry. The driver behind has the potential to crash into the vehicle in front and cause a chain accident.

Police arrested nine motorcyclists on the Kuala Lumpur – Seremban Highway, last Sunday night. Seven of them were arrested for dangerous riding and performing “Superman” stunts, while the other two were arrested for altering the motorcycle’s registration number to confuse the authorities.

According to Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Director, Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri, the nine motorcycles are Yamaha Y15ZR, Yamaha 135 LC and Modenas Kris 110. All motorcycles have been confiscated for further action.

“The arrested persons were between 16 and 24 years old and they were taken to the IPD Seremban Traffic Police Station for further action. Legal action is carried out in accordance with Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 108 (3) (F) of the same act, ” he said.

Mohd Azman said those arrested were not involved with any motorcycle groups from nearby districts such as Port Dickson and Kuala Pilah. “Some of them came from several areas around the Klang Valley and only use this highway as a convoy route to go to eateries located around Senawang town.”

They were arrested while the authorities were carrying out Op Samseng Jalan (Road Hooligan Operations) at the Senawang Toll Plaza. A total of six officers and 68 personnel were involved in the operation from 4 pm to 4 am.

The police also issued 101 summonses for various offences. Among them such as the registration number does not follow the guidelines (5), no registration number (20), fancy registration number (1), imperfect accessories (12) and no side mirror (14).

Apart from that, other offences included not displaying P and L stickers (10), expired road tax (10), noisy exhaust (7), expired license (2), structural modification (1) no brakes (5) and the owner allows improper usage (1).

The Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) has issued a heatwave warning. According to them, temperatures in 12 areas are expected to hit 37-deg Celsius, for at least 3 days in a row.

MetMalaysia, through a post in their Facebook page, said that those areas are in Perlis as well as Kedah. They include Pulau Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Pendang, Padang Terap Sik, Baling, and Kulim.

Other areas include Kuala Kangsar in Perak, and Beaufort in Sabah.

On another note, other areas are expected to hit a maximum of lower than 35-deg Celsius.

As such, do take precautions when you ride during a heatwave. Here are a few tips:

Hydrate

Dehydration will make you drowsy, and cause headahces and bodyaches. You will also start to lose focus when you ride. So, keep drinking water, fruit juices (without sugar), and isotonic drinks (with moderation). Stay away from carbonated soft drinks.

Wear the correct gear

Wear mesh jackets and ventilated riding pants. You will feel hot, granted, but there is at least some protection. Also, wear helmets that provide plenty of airflow such as for sport-touring if you prefer full-faces.

Cool off

If you are riding long distance, stop when you feel drowsy. Then wet your shirt and put it on to keep cool. Another method is by wetting your balaclava and putting it on. The cool air on your face will keep you awake. Similarly, you could also wet a piece of cloth or clothing and wrap it around your neck like a scarf.

Stop!

Speaking about stopping, do stop as regularly as you need because insisting on riding while you are feeling drowsy is too dangerous. Take a short break, drink some water and eat some snacks that provide high energy. On the note of what to consume, stay away from spicy and greasy food.

QJMOTOR Malaysia has launched their newest scooter, the QJMOTOR LTR150.

Despite its retro classic shape, it is equipped with a single-cylinder, SOHC, 4-stroke, 149cc engine that is quite powerful. It produces 16.4hp (12.2kW) at 8,500 RPM and 14.8Nm at 6,500 RPM. (For comparison, the 150cc, SOHC, liquid-cooled Yamaha Y15ZR engine produces 15.1hp at 8,500 RPM and a maximum torque of 13.8Nm at 7,000 RPM). The engine’s power is sent to the rear wheel through a CVT transmission.

The chassis features a disc brake system with a large discs measuring 190mm at the front and 225mm at the back. A dual-channel (front and rear) anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a standard feature for rider safety.

The QJMOTOR LTR150’s seat is made for the rider and pillion’s comfort even if it is for long rides. The storage space under the seat is also very spacious enabling the rider to carry things with ease. There is also a USB charging socket in the front storage compartment.

Other features include an LCD digital meter display, LED lights, an Idling Stop system that turns off the engine when idling, and a 6.5 liter fuel tank.

QJMOTOR LTR150 is offered in three colors namely Lime Creme, Sky Blue, Mint Green and Carnation Park. It retails at RM8,888 (off-road) and is covered by a two-year or 20,000km warranty (whichever comes first). It is available at all authorised QJMOTOR dealers throughout Malaysia. BR

Sometimes events in the real world have plot twists that no filmmaker could have imagined. The case of a driver who was beaten to death become the subject of much discussion lately. In particular, how could someone can beat another human being to death. However, the police has revealed that a drug tests found him positive for syabu and ganja at the time of the incident.

Selangor Police Chief, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the victim had 10 previous drug records, and is wanted by the police in connection with drug cases.

Datuk Hussein also revealed that the police had received two reports made by two vehicle owners against the man. They stated that the victim had hit their vehicle and fled.

On the night of the incident, the police received a call about an accident and therefore deployed traffic officers there. They found a Proton Saga car that was believed to have skidded and hit the fence of a residential area there.

They also found the driver of the car lying on the road. Paramedics arrived later and found that the victim had died. Further examination found that there were ligature marks on his wrists.

Man Beaten to Death Allegedly Running after Hitting e-Hailing Rider

Commenting further, Datuk Hussein said the police are still investigating the motive for the incident, adding that the autopsy found that there were no significant injuries on the victim that caused his death. “We are still waiting for the results of the laboratory analysis to identify the cause of the victim’s death,” he said.

At the same time, he asked the public who witnessed the incident to come forward to help the investigation. “We will see what people write on social media related to the case if we can be called to testify to help the investigation.

“We also advise the public not to exaggerate and fabricate stories related to this case. Because it will affect the investigation carried out by the police and cause alarm to the public.”

The police have arrested 5 suspects aged between 22 and 52 years old in relation to this case. They also arrested 2 more new suspects aged 22 and 39.

National motorcycle racer, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman hints early retirement from active racing on the Asian stage.

In speaking to Harian Metro, Azlan revealed that he has not received an answer on his team’s participation in the 2024 Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC). His current team, TKKR Racing Team posted on Facebook recently that they could not secure a sponsor for the 2024 season, thereby throwing theirs and Azlan’s immediate future into doubt.

“I will retire early from Asian competition if I do not receive an offer. I have already set a target to race at the Asian level until I am 40,” he said.

“Realistically, other teams prefer hiring younger racers compared to older ones. My body isn’t as strong now… I can still fight it out but I need twice the effort to slug it out with them in terms of stamina.”

On a more positive note, Azlan may switch to racing in the Endurance World Championship (EWC) in 2025 should this year’s ARRC participation does not come to pass. He had already raced at the 2023 Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance as part of the EWC calendar in the Formula EWC class with Frontier Racing.

Azlan has an impressive resume, having won several national superbike titles while riding for Chia PJ Kawasaki and took part in the Moto2 World Championship from 2013 to 2015. He was also the inaugural ASB1000cc class champion in ARRC in 2019, riding for then ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team.  He currently owns the AS25 Academy Racing Team which races in the WIRA category in the Petronas Malaysian Cub Prix Championship.

A man was beaten to death by a group after allegedly attempting to run away following him knocking down an e-hailing rider, in Taman Pelangi, Kajang on Tuesday night.

Police said a Proton Saga driven by the 42-year-old victim had crashed into the gates of a house. He was then dragged out of the car and assaulted by several individuals. His wrists also bore signs of being tied.

Police found the victim lying on the ground when they arrived. He was later announced as deceased by the paramedics who arrived on the scene. Witnesses at the scene described the victim being dragged out of his car and was beaten by a group of men. They also said that his hands were tied behind his back. The group then laid him down on the ground and left the scene before the police arrived.

The scene was subsequently processed by the Bukit Aman Forensic Unit who collected several blood samples and fingerprints. They also found two rolls of rope. Based on the available information, the police tracked down the suspects and arrested 5 individuals in the vicinity of Semenyih and Beranang.

“The suspects were aged between 22 to 52 years old and were apprehended by police officers of the D9 Branch of the Criminal Investigation Division of IPD Kajang at around 2.05am, Wednesday,” said Kajang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd. Zaid Hassan.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code (classified as murder), as well as Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Police are encouraging witnesses to come forward with further information by contacting Assistant Superintendent Redzuan Mat Salleh from the Criminal Investigation Division of IPD Kajang at 013-7854100.

They may also provide information to Inspector Ammar Tahir from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division at 018-2194013 with information to assist in the investigations.

The Perlis Customs seized 9 superbikes allegedly smuggled from Thailand into Malaysia.

The Customs Department of Malaysia’s Perlis state director, Tn. Ismail Hashim said the value of the seized motorcycles was RM416,500, while the estimated duties amounted to RM715,130.

“JKDM Perlis inspected 9 superbikes without registration at the entry lane of the Wang Kelian Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Post.”

Among the motorcycles seized included the Honda Honda CBR1000RR, BMW S 1000 RR, Yamaha YZF-R1, Aprilia RSV4 and MV Agusta. Seizure was carried out as there was no valid tax payment document and import permit.

“The modus operandi is by bringing in the motorcycles that were declared for competition use using lorries and allegedly headed to the Sepang International Circuit. There was information claiming that the motorcycles are owned by individuals in Europe, Hong Kong among other countries. However, it aroused our suspicion when there was no complete document such as listing the chassis numbers,” said Tn. Ismail.

JKDM assures that they will investigate the matter to determine if this case is connected to superbike smuggling activities carried out by international and/or local syndicates.

“Investigation is carried out under Section 133(1)(f) of the Customs Act 1967. The suspect faces a maximum fine of RM500,000 or years jail or both if found guilty.”

Source: Berita Harian Online

Boon Siew Honda has just announced a new exciting colour for the 2024 Honda RS-X.

Honda dubs the new colour Mat Ion Blue Metallic. It gives the bike a fresh mid-life update: The new colour scheme makes the bike look stealthy, for want of a better word, compared to the previous offerings. It will be available in authorised and selected Honda dealers nationwide starting 22nd February 2024. The selling price of the 2024 Honda RS-X is RM9,798, without road tax, insurance and registration.

The RS-X continues to sell well in the country despite several reported “quirks.” It is mainly due to a pretty good performance courtesy of its 150cc, DOHC engine which produces 15.8hp (11.8kW) at 9,000 RPM and 13.6Nm of torque at 7,000 RPM. That power is channeled through a 6-speed gearbox. Anyone who has ridden the bike will tell you that it has a punchy low RPM acceleration that is great for urban riding. The engine is EURO 4 emission standard compliant, too.

Another selling point of the Honda RS-X is its design, which makes it look larger for a small bike. The Honda press release calls it “muscular.” This look is complemented with features that remain unchanged, such as the 1-channel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). 1-channel means it is only available on one wheel, in this case, the front. Hey, before criticising the system, let it be known that even bigger KTMs has a Supermoto feature to turn off the rear wheel’s ABS! Additionally, having ABS at least on one wheel is better than none at all.

Other features include LED lighting and digital speedometer.

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