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MACC Cripples Tyre Smuggling Sindicate

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) crippled a tyre smuggling syndicate through raids at 23 separate locations in the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor, via Ops Grip, yesterday.

The MACC also froze several private and company accounts worth RM70 million, which are also suspected of being involved in activities falsifying import and export documents, causing tax losses to the country reaching RM350 million since 2020.

“The raids were carried out through the integrated operation Ops Grip, led by the Special Operations Division (BOK) with the cooperation of the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM).

“The operation involved 23 locations around the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor, involving companies engaged in the business of importing tyres, as well as warehouses and containers for storing tyres,” a statement said today.

Sources said the investigation is also focused on efforts to track and seize other assets acquired through money laundering activities involving the syndicate.

It is understood that the seizures also involved used tyres that do not meet standards, which are feared could compromise consumer safety and are merely waiting for an accident to happen, akin to a ‘ticking time bomb’.

Meanwhile, the Senior Director of the MACC’s Special Operations Division, Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin, confirmed the raids.

“The investigation is being conducted under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001).

“The MACC will not compromise with any party that tries to profit through corruption, money laundering, and smuggling, which cause losses to the country,” he said.

New Colours for 2025 Honda CB350RS, Price Remains at RM20,500

Boon Siew Honda has announced two new colourways for the 2025 Honda CB350RS.

The manufacturer calls the bike a “road sports” and “roadster” that blends classic styling and modern performance for daily commutes and long-distance touring. To us, although unglamourous, it is a “standard motorcycle” as all motorcycles back then were standards.

In any case, having tested the bike, we found it easy to live with, as it provided good handling characteristics, a relaxing power delivery, great comfort, and an engaging exhaust note. All at an affordable price.

Highlights

348cc, air-cooled, OHC, single-cylinder engine which turns out 20.8 hp (15.5 kW) at 5,500 RPM and 30 Nm at 3,000 RPM.
Engine power is directed through an assist & slipper clutch to ensure lighter clutch pulls while maintaining rear-wheel control during rapid downshifts.

ABS is standard for both front and rear brakes.
Providing a further layer of safety is the Honda Selectable Torque Control traction control feature.

The analogue display looks classic but combines digital integration, showing gear position, ECO indicator, fuel efficiency, and distance-to-empty.
Full LED lighting with a round headlight encased in a chrome bezel, paired with a timeless taillight silhouette.

The two new colours for the 2025 Honda CB350RS are Pearl Deep Ground Gray and Pearl Igneous Black. It will arrive at all Honda Big Wing dealerships nationwide estimated from 29th September onwards at RM20,500.00.

Boon Siew Honda offers two years or 20,000 manufacturing warranty, whichever comes first. For more information, please click https://hondabigbike.com.my/model/cb350rs/ or visit the nearest Honda Big Wing. Customers may also reach BSH via their toll-free number at 1-800-88-3993.

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Francesco Bagnaia “Very happy but very angry” after Motegi Domination

Ducati MotoGP factory rider, Francesco Bagnaia said he was “very happy, but very angry” after dominating the weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix, held at the Motegi Ring. “Pecco” as he is more popularly known, had qualified on Pole, grabbed the Sprint race win, before going on to win the main race on Sunday.

Pecco had been suffering the entire season as he found himself struggling to adapt to the Desmosedici GP25. More specifically, he had complained of front-end issues which robbed him of his braking strength, and feel, besides understeering (the front going wide). As such, he arrived in Japan without a single podium in the past 10 races.

But it all changed after Ducati offered some ‘unconventional’ changes in the Misano post-race test.

“In the test in Misano, I was riding 0.7 faster, so quite a huge difference,” Bagnaia said in Japan.

“I’m very happy about today, but I’m also very angry about this weekend, because maybe we could’ve done it earlier, maybe after one or two grands prix.

“We just struggled a bit during the season, but finally the test in Misano gave us the possibility to try things that have helped me a lot. Some specific [things] that have helped me also in other situations.

“So, super-happy about it, finally we found it.”

When asked what were the changes that Ducati made, Pecco circumvented the question with a vague answer, possibly because he was instructed to do so: “Honestly, I’m just a rider and I’m just here to push. Sometimes when I push, I’m 20th. And sometimes when I push, I win. It’s not only a matter of me.”

“We tested different things in Misano, different things that we already had. But we never had the chance to really try this season.”

The visible change was the GP24 rear seat aero. It was also rumoured that Bagnaia had an older swingarm, forks and perhaps ride-height device. The engine cannot be changed due to the rules, but the end result is that Bagnaia appears to have finally rediscovered the feeling of last year’s GP24.

“This weekend I was riding my bike and not fighting with it,” he said on Sunday evening.

“It was much easier for me to brake hard, enter fast into the corners, and without having that much movement, that much locking, that much understeering.

Pecco’s win had also opened up an entire chapter of conspiracies, regardless if it is true or otherwise, about Ducati being ‘preferential’ toward Marc Marquez, who is Pecco’s teammate and had secured his 7th MotoGP in Japan after coming home second in both the Sprint and Main races.

Police are Hunting 20-odd Motorcyclists Who Surrounded and Damaged a Car

The police are now actively hunting for approximately 20 motorcyclists who acted violently, surrounding, punching, and kicking a Perodua Myvi in an incident. The recording had gone viral on social media.

In the harrowing incident near the Batu 13 Toll Plaza, Puchong, the driver of the car, a 52-year-old security guard, was forced to endure a fearful moment when his car was surrounded by the group of road thugs.

Serdang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Muhamad Farid Ahmad, said the victim came forward to make a police report immediately after the incident, which occurred around 4 am.

“Police are now conducting an investigation to identify the actual cause of the incident.

“It is estimated that approximately 20 motorcyclists were involved in this case, and efforts to track down and arrest all of them are underway,” he said in a statement today.

According to him, the case is being investigated under Section 427 and Section 279 of the Penal Code. Section 427 of the Penal Code pertains to the offense of mischief that causes damage to property. Section 279 of the Penal Code, meanwhile, concerns driving recklessly or dangerously in a manner that endangers the safety of road users.

He said the police advise the public not to make any speculations that could jeopardize the investigation, besides calling for witnesses to come forward and provide information.

Through the 29-second recording, the car driven by the complainant was seen surrounded by a group of motorcyclists near the Batu 13 Toll Plaza.

In the recording, motorcycles were seen moving close to both sides and the front of the car, as if trying to surround and block the vehicle’s path.

One of the motorcyclists was also seen punching the driver’s side window before kicking the door on the same side, causing the driver to slow down the car to avoid a worse incident.

The situation clearly showed a tense atmosphere and a threat to the car driver, who was trapped in the middle of the group of motorcycles.

The Honeymoon is Over for Traffic Offenders – Warns Police

The Kuala Lumpur Police said the ‘honeymoon’ period for traffic offenders in the capital city has now ended, following a one-month advocacy program conducted by the Kuala Lumpur Police through Op Law Compliance (Op PUU).

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Datuk Fadil Marsus, said they will begin full enforcement action by issuing immediate summonses to stubborn and non-compliant road users starting October 1st. They will not compromise, given that the previous advocacy period seemed to have no profound effect on a large portion of the public.

“The statistics during the advocacy campaign, which began on September 6, are very concerning, with nearly 70,000 advocacy notices issued in focus areas around the capital.”

“This is what’s worrying; in less than a month, nearly 70,000 advocacy notices were given. This shows that many are aware they are committing offenses, but still defy and intentionally violate the rules,” he said when interviewed on the Selamat Pagi Malaysia program broadcast on TV1 today.

Among the most frequently detected offenses were causing traffic obstructions, such as double parking, stopping on white lines and pedestrian crossings, running red lights, and not wearing or improperly fastening helmet straps.

“This enforcement is not a ‘flash in the pan’; instead, it will be conducted continuously, 24 hours a day, throughout the year, across all of Kuala Lumpur.”

“All personnel from every district in Kuala Lumpur will be mobilized. This operation will not have an end date; it will continue indefinitely until we see a positive change in the public’s attitude,” he said.

Commenting on modern approaches, Fadil said they would continue to use the power of social media to expose traffic offenders to raise awareness and provide lessons to the public.

“We will use all social media platforms as much as possible. Let the message get through, and let those who are wrong know their actions are being watched. Perhaps through this method, a sense of shame and awareness will arise,” he emphasized.

He said the ultimate goal is to educate the public and change the culture of law compliance, starting with the most basic rules.

“We want to make the citizens of Kuala Lumpur an example, where our level of law compliance is on par with developed nations. It must start now, not tomorrow,” he said.

Marc Marquez is 2025 MotoGP Champion

Marc Marquez has become the 2025 MotoGP champion, which is also his seventh time winning the championship title.

Marc finished the main race at the Motegi circuit in Japan in second place behind his factory Ducati teammate, Franceso “Pecco” Bagnaia. They also finished the Sprint race on Saturday in the same positions.

However, Marc only needed to finish the race with a points tally exceeding that of his brother Alex Marquez, who rides for the Gresini Ducati team, to become champion. In the end, Marc has collected a total of 541 points so far, 201 points ahead of Alex who is in second place overall. Alex can no longer catch Marc, even though there are still five rounds remaining.

Marc’s championship means it was a 2,184-day wait for him to become world champion again. The last time he became champion was in 2019, before he broke his right arm in 2020. After that, he underwent four surgeries to treat it, and also suffered more than 100 crashes on the track while struggling with his bike when he wasn’t 100% recovered.

This race win in Japan is the second this year for Bagnaia, after he struggled throughout the season to adapt himself to the new Ducati GP25 bike. He finally received advice on his bike setup from former Ducati rider and also former world champion, Casey Stoner, thus enabling him to win both races in this round.