Local News

It’s Wednesday, so time for another weekly RON 97 petrol price update. For the coming week, the ministry of domestic trade and consumer affairs (KPDNHEP) has announced that RON 97 will be priced at RM2.65 per litre, up four sen from RM2.61 per litre last week. The new RON 97 price will take effect from midnight till August 22 when the next fuel price announcement is made. Meanwhile, RON 95 continues to be priced at RM2.20 per litre and Euro 2M diesel at RM2.18 per litre, while Euro 5 diesel is priced at RM2.28 per litre at the pump. This fixed price for RON 95 and diesel will remain indefinitely. … [Read more...] about RON 97 petrol price up 4 sen this week – RM2.65

Go Automobile Manufacturing and SIRIM signed a memorandum of understanding today for a long-term strategic collaboration and partnership between the two parties. The memorandum was signed by executive director of Go Auto Group, Datuk SM Azli SM Nasimuddin Kamal on behalf of Go Automobile Manufacturing and president and group CEO of SIRIM, Prof Ir Dr Ahmad Fadzil Mohamad Hani. Among the areas of collaboration between SIRIM and Go Auto are the development and improvement of lithium-ion-based rechargeable batteries towards their eventual replacement of lead-acid batteries in the automotive market, as well as the development of green and connected vehicle technologies. Other areas also include the development of Industry 4.0 technologies such as rapid prototyping and 3D-printing, Internet of Things (IoT)-based devices, as well as vehicle type approval testing facilities in e-mobility as required by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry … [Read more...] about Go Auto, SIRIM sign MoU for research of batteries, green vehicle tech, rapid prototyping, IoT devices

Here’s another assurance from finance minister Lim Guan Eng that the third national car project proposed by prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not use public funds. Instead, it will be funded by the private sector, Bernama reports. “If it comes from private (investments), then there will not be a problem,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply (Reallocation of Appropriated Expenditure) Bill 2018 at the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday. It’s not the first time he had said so. In June, Lim told Channel NewsAsia: “I told the prime minister that we don’t have the money, and he knows it. So it is not from public funds, it’s not like Proton, no. If there are private parties who want to do it in Malaysia using their own money, I think that is something that would be worthwhile looking at – but not from public funds,” he said then. The new national car topic was first raised by Mahathir at the Nikkei Conference in Tokyo … [Read more...] about Third national car will use private sector money

The government says that toll collection is set to continue for the foreseeable future because it does not have the means to absorb the financial impact if collection is abolished, The Sun reports. In its GE14 election manifesto, Pakatan Harapan (PH) stated it would abolish highway tolls in stages. Because it would cost the government RM400 billion to abolish tolls in one go, works minster Baru Bian says that PH has decided to put the matter on hold indefinitely until the country’s financial situation improves. “After taking into account this factor (of having to fork out RM400 billion), the government has agreed to postpone the proposal to abolish tolls until our economy really stabilises and allows for it. The government will, however, study other options that we may deem to be more practical in order to reduce the cost of living for the rakyat,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat. Last month, Employees Provident Fund (EPF) CEO Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan had said that … [Read more...] about Plans to abolish toll collection put on hold indefinitely

Mazda distributor in Malaysia, Bermaz has opened its latest 3S centre in Jelutong, Penang, which coincided with the launch of the facelifted Mazda CX-3 and preview of the Mazda 6 facelift. The brand’s latest and 85th outlet in the country will serve customers in the state, both on the island as well as on the Peninsula. The 3S centre in Penang is situated upon a 39,992 square-feet plot of land, with a built-up area of 24,138 square feet, making it one of the largest Mazda outlets here, the company says. Its showroom section can accommodate 14 vehicles, while the service centre is equipped with seven work bays. Mazda’s latest addition to its network has a service capacity of up to 500 vehicles a month, which includes standard servicing as well as repairs. All technicians and staff on site have been trained to provide professional service to its customers, the company adds. On top of sales functions, the Mazda Jelutong 3S centre can also aid in handling trade-ins, financing … [Read more...] about Mazda Malaysia opens 3S centre in Jelutong, Penang

The heavy-duty prime mover segment in Malaysia has gained a new player in the shape of the Foton Auman EST A, which has just been launched at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre. Distributed by Mpire Commercial, the new lorry has been developed in partnership with Daimler as part of the Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive (BFDA) joint venture. The EST A is the automatic version of the company’s Energy Super Truck (EST), and is offered in 4×2 and 6×4 versions. Both are powered by a Cummins ISG 11.8 litre straight-six turbodiesel producing 424 hp at 1,900 rpm and 2,000 Nm from 1,000 to 1,400 rpm, paired to a ZF TraXon 12-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox comes with a built-in hydraulic retarder that provides 540 hp of braking power on top of the standard disc brakes, while the engine’s compression-release brake adds another 370 hp. The EST A also comes with air suspension, a four-point floating cabin and an airbag seat for increased comfort. … [Read more...] about Foton Auman EST A prime mover launched in Malaysia

Ride-hailing service provider Grab has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Employment Provident Fund to encourage its drivers to participate in the fund’s voluntary retirement savings programme, Caruman Sukarela Insentif Persaraan (i-Saraan). According to a report by Bernama, EPF CEO Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said that those who sign up for the programme will get a secure savings option as the fund has a proven track record of “sustainable, above-inflation returns,” enhancing the value of their savings in the long run. “By contributing to the scheme, Grab driver-partners can enjoy the same benefits as an EPF member, such as annual dividends on their retirement savings, tax relief, death benefit and access to our retirement advisory service at no cost,” he said in a statement. Shahril also mentioned that for members under 55 years of age, the government will top up an additional 15% of annual contributions on top of the annual dividends and … [Read more...] about EPF, Grab sign MoU to promote i-Saraan to drivers

Highway concessionaire PLUS has announced that the left lane at several locations on the Penang Bridge will be closed in stages until August 30 in order for routine under-bridge maintenance work to be carried out. The left lane at these designated locations will be closed between 11 am and 3 pm daily except on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Accordingly, PLUS has advised motorists using the Penang Bridge to plan their journey, follow all traffic signage and instructions given by on-site personnel. Users are also advised to follow the PLUSTrafik Twitter page or download the PLUS Mobile App to get the latest traffic update on the Penang Bridge. The company added that the routine and maintenance work that is currently being carried out is unrelated to the Penang Bridge cable routine/maintenance work that was completed on July 31. … [Read more...] about Penang Bridge

Maju Expressway (MEX) users, take note. Bernama reports that the highway will be closed to traffic for seven hours – from 5 am to noon – on August 12 to facilitate the 2018 MEX Ride. Around 1,800 cyclists are expected to take part in the inaugural event. Highway concesssionaire Maju Expressway said via a statement that the closure will affect 12 exit routes at six MEX interchanges, namely at Bulatan Kampung Pandan, Salak Selatan, Kuchai Lama, Bukit Jalil, Seri Kembangan and Putrajaya. The event will be flagged off and end at the southbound Seri Kembangan rest and service area. Motorists from Kuala Lumpur heading to Putrajaya and KLIA, and vice versa, are advised to use an alternative route. The concessionaire advised motorists to plan their journey, as well as follow road signs. The MEX Ride is one of two closed cycling events that will be held on a tolled highway this month – on August 19, the Kajang-Seremban Highway (LEKAS) will be temporarily closed to host the RHB … [Read more...] about MEX highway to be closed on August 12 for MEX Ride

The Melaka state government has announced that it will be launching its free bus service on August 20. According to Bernama, the service will ply the Melaka Sentral-Hospital, Melaka-Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) and Melaka Sentral-Melaka Transit Market routes in the city. State public works, transport and public amenities committee chairman Mohd Sofi Abd Wahab said that the free bus service will operate from 8 am to 6 pm daily. The service will be managed by state-owned subsidiary Panorama Melaka. He said that three of the buses plying the routes will be natural gas vehicle (NGV) units, in line with the state’s objectives of implementing green technology. He added that the free bus service is an initiative by the new state government to encourage the use of public transport as well as provide for the well-being of the people, especially those in rural communities. … [Read more...] about Melaka to launch free bus service on August 20