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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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn. Bhd. launched the 2024 Yamaha YZF-R25 with a new color. It is a white variation called Glacier White. The blue colour variant which is ever-popular since its launch, Racing Blue, is still on sale.

Buyers can find the new color 2024 Yamaha YZF-R25 at all official Yamaha dealers from March 4, 2024. The selling price remains the same as the 2023 price of RM 22,998.00, excluding registration and insurance. As usual every purchase includes a brake disc lock worth RM100.

The R25 engine remains the same, which is a 249cc, DOHC, parallel-twin. It produces 26.4 kW (35.4 HP) at 12,000 RPM and 22.6 Nm of torque at 10,000 RPM. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) and LED signal lights are standard.

The R25 machine is still popular and well received among local motorcycle enthusiasts, even though it has been on the market since 2015. It has gone through several updates and upgrades since then, until the version that features the ABS braking system in 2023.

The arrival of the ABS version is a good move because the 250cc segment is one most intensely contested among motorcycle manufacturers. It is filled with brands such as Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, CFMoto, KTM, Modenas/Bajaj, Husqvarna.

Regardless, the Yamaha YZF-R25 still gets a lot of attention until now.

AFY Mobility Industries Sdn. Bhd. (AMI) has launched the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR Nurburgring Limited Edition. Being a very special model, it is therefore apt for the launch of AMI as the official distributor of MV Agusta in Malaysia.

As stated in the name, the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR Nurburgring Limited Edition is based on the legendary Nurburgring circuit in Germany. MV Agusta will produce only 150 units worldwide. However, only one unit will be sold in Asia. We are thereby very lucky because that one Asian country is Malaysia with the number 90/150.

The bike is powered by a 998cc, inline-four engine that produces a maximum power of 208 HP at 13,000 RPM and a maximum torque of 116.5 Nm at 11,000 RPM. This power and torque is sent through a 6-speed transmission.

Other features include carbon fibre components including the wheels; Brembo Stylema front brake caliper, 5.5-inch TFT display, Ohlins suspension system, LED lights, among others. The bike is also sold with the Nurburgring Racing Kit (Nurburgring Racing Kit) which consists of an Arrow titanium full exhaust system, racing ECU, as well as some carbon fiber components.

Electronic features include ride modes, traction control, wheelie control, MV EAS 3.0 quick-shift system, MV MY Ride App communication system, and ABS.

The MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR Nurburgring Limited Edition is sold at a price of RM399,900.

AMI also exhibited a line of other MV Agusta models such as Brutale 1000 RS (RM168,800), F3 RR (RM145,800), Fs Rosso (RM111,800), Superveloce (RM138,800), Dragster RR (RM148,800) , Dragster Rosso (RM99,800), Brutale Rosso (RM96,800), Turismo Veloce Lusso (RM140,800) and Turismo Veloce Rosso (RM99,800).

AFY Two Wheels SEA Sdn. Bhd. which is newly operating at Section 51A, Petaling Jaya and is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.

A housewife died after the motorcycle her husband was riding crashed on Jalan Gemencheh – Batang Melaka.

The 51-year-old victim and her husband rode a maxi scooter from Ayer Molek, Melaka.

Tampin District Police Chief, Superintendent Amiruddien Sariman, said the victim was seriously injured in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. “Preliminary investigations found that a couple riding a WMoto RT2 motorcycle from the direction of Ayer Molek were on their way to the woman’s sister’s house in Palong 1 Negeri Sembilan.

A married couple will ride a motorcycle for 14,000km in the Jelebu Journey to Makkah to perform the Hajj.

Mohd. Rahmat Mohammed Amin, 38, and his wife, Nurazlinda Mohamad, 36, from Taman Bukit Mohagani want to achieve their dream for the past three years by using a Yamaha Fz150.

Mohd Rahmat said that he had previously performed the Umrah with his wife by flying to the Holy Land. They had then planned to revisit by land since then. This time, they will use the Tibet-Himalaya route which is believed to be more extreme on the journey that will commence on March 20.

“The journey of 14,000 kilometers across 13 countries starting from Malaysia and ending in Saudi Arabia with the target of reaching Makkah on May 5th.”

They will ride through Thailand, Laos, China, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and finally reaching Saudi Arabia.

“The selection of that route follows the closure of Myanmar’s border due to the crisis faced by the country and higher costs are required if continuing the journey by taking a flight from Bangkok, Thailand to India. Therefore, the Tibet-Himalaya route is an option even though it is difficult. We hope to be able to go through it despite facing weather challenges,” he said.

They have even sold some of their motorbikes to raise funds for the Jelebu-Makkah Journey.

“We sold our three other motorbikes, two Yamaha Lc135 and a Yamaha R25 as we try to meet our expenses before starting the journey on March 20.

“We may celebrate Aidilfitri this year at Base Camp at Everest or at the Taj Mahal, India, but it all depends on the journey,” he said.

Mohd. Rahmat said that all preparations related to documents have been completed and the Malaysian embassies in each country have been informed of their plans.

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