Selain itu, banjir besar-besaran di Thailand turut bersama membawa kedudukan yang malang kepada Negara Jepun. Negeri Thai adalah rakan sesama Jepun yang memasang dan mengeluarkan kereta-kereta jenis Toyota.

Tetapi nampaknya, nasib buruk atau malang itu, dipercayai tidak akan berturutan. Bah kata pepatah terkenal, langit bukannya sentiasa mendung, katanya.

Toyota Motors Corporation yang adalah pengeluar automobil terbesar di Asia, telah dipercayai akan meningkatkan jualan seluruh dunianya tidal lama lagi. Menurut jangkaan baru, Toyota Motors akan mencapai matlamat di atas, akibat langkah-langkah bijak yang baru-baru ini diumumkan oleh pihak kerajaan Jepun. Dua sebab utama yang sebenarnya akan membawa kepada perubahan ini.

Matlamat-matlamat itu termasuk:

i. Insentif-insentif terhadap kenderaan-kenderaan yang boleh menjimatkan minyak atau petrol oleh kerajaan Negara Jepun.

ii. Suatu lagi dipercayai adalah jualan-jualan hangat ataupun panas terhadap keluaran kenderaan Prius jenis baru yang dijangka mendapatkan sambutan baik. Prius baru menggunakan minyak dan elektrik, dikatakannya.

Selain daripada sebab-sebab tertera di atas, subsidi-subsidi Toyota Motors, iaitu Daihatsu Motor serta Syarikat Hino Motors, kedua-duanya akan meningkat 21% kepada 8.5 juta buah kenderaan tahun ini. Jumlah itu lebih 100,000 sepertimana dijangkakan oleh Toyota Motors itu sendiri.

Untuk pengetahuan para pembaca, syarikat-syarikat pengeluar kereta besar di dunia, iaitu General Motors dan Volkswagen AG (VW) telah mengalahkan Toyota Motors Corporation dari segi jumlah penjualan.

Kereta popular dan terkenal Toyota Motors, iaitu Camry dikatakan mungkin juga meningkat. Dipercayai Camry akan menambahkan keuntungannya berganda tidak lama lagi.

Insentif-insentif yang kini dihulurkan oleh kerajaan Jepun, mungkinan besar dapat bertanding dengan general Motors dan VW.

Menurut kepada kepercayaan seorang pakar analyst, Encik Satoru Tanaka, yang berasal dari Syarikat Penyelidikan Towards The Infinite World, dengan tamatnya gempa bumi dan banjir yang kini telah selesai, jualan Toyota dijangka akan terus meningkat maju.

Tetapi terdapat suatu masalah yang sedang merumitkan masalah Toyota dalam usahanya mencapai tujuan menjadi juara pengeluar kenderaan-kenderaan auto hari ini. Dan maslah itu adalah, mata wang Jepun, yen telah meningkat lebih maju daripada mata-mata wang lain di dunia. Ini telah mengakibatkan kenderaan-kenderaan Jepun lebih mahal daripada kenderaan-kenderaan lain di dunia.

Selain itu, Toyota Motors juga menghadapi syarikat G.M yang telah menjadi lebih kukuh 2 tahun kebelakangan ini. Tambahan itu, Syarikat Hyundai Motor Corporation hari ini telah menjadi lebih popular juga.

Demi untuk mempertahankan kedudukan pasaran domestik tempatan, kerajaan Jepun telah bersiap sedia sebanyak 300 billion yen (US 3.8 bil) sebagai insentif-insentif auto. Kerajaan Jepun dalam percubaan membantu pengeluar-pengeluar auto Jepun meningkatkan penjualan kenderaan di pasaran Jepun dalam tahun 2012. Pada tahun 2011, jualan kenderaan di Jepun telah jatuh sebanyak 14%.

Toyota diramalkan akan jual sebanyak 1.63 juta buah kenderaan di dalam negeri serta 6.9 juta kenderaan di luar negeri.

Untuk pengetahuan para pembaca, Toyota telah menerima tempahan sebanyak 100,000 unit untuk kenderaan popularnya, Aqua yang dikenali sebagai Prius c di Amerika Syarikat.

Toyota Motors kini dalam usaha memastikan pengeluaran Aqua. Dijangka, kesemua kenderaan di atas dapat dihasilkan pada masa yang ditetapkan.

Minat hangat terhadap Prius diharapkan akan membawa sasaran Toyota pada tahun 2013 ke tahap yang lebih tinggi, iaitu ke 320,000 unit, menurut surat khabar Nikkii.

Di Malaysia, kereta Prius makin hari makin popular di kalangan pemilik-pemilik hybrid dan elektrik ini. Kesemuannya ini, sudah tentu akan menjadi berita yang baik kepada gagasan Toyota Motors Corporation di Malaysia.

Berita baik ini sudah pasti menggembirakan anak menantu saya, Kin serta isterinya, Swan Nee. Mereka merupakan pemilik bangga kereta Prius juga!

Malaysian drivers, like all other drivers elsewhere, must surely feel annoyed or angry whenever they are apprehended by Road Transport Department’s or police actions during road traffic operations. They, it is believed, feel their rights have been challenged!

But, have motorists and drivers, especially in our country, ever contemplated for once why such operations take place?

First and foremost, it should be reminded that excessively tinted windows as a matter of fact, affects road safety!

It restricts a driver’s view or vision, especially during poor weather conditions. Drivers are said to be unable to see other road users and pedestrians well and clearly.

On the other hand, other drivers and road users, including pedestrians, cannot confirm through eye contact, that they have been seen by the driver who is driving a heavy and excessively tinted vehicle. This is nothing short of dangerous.

Why is it that in many countries like the United Kingdom and even Malaysia feel necessary to have laws against tinting?

UK has its Road Vehicles (Construction & Use Regulations) 1986 to regulate usage of tinted vehicles. Malaysia has its own Rule 5(1) and Rule 5(3) Motor vehicles (Prohibition of Certain Types of Glasses) Amendment 2000 to control tinting of vehicles.

What are the purpose of the above 2 laws?

It is said that the above mentioned laws are to ensure that a driver’s ability is able to see clearly. A driver’s ability should not in any way be excessively restricted by glass tinting.

To avoid being entangled with the laws laid down by the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) or the Road Transport Department (RTD), a motorist, especially in Malaysia, what should a driver legally do?

As a responsible driver, I would like to advise you that as a driver, you must not drive a vehicle which has front windscreen that are heavily tinted. 75% of light should be allowed to be transmitted into the vehicle’s interiors. For side windows, and the rear windscreen, the law demands a 50% transmission of light into the vehicle.

Are police actions, Road Transport Department fines the only things a Malaysian driver driving an excessively tinted has to face? Unfortunately to say, the answer is NO.

Be it be said that the above are sadly not the only predicaments one has to encounter!

Unless you are well versed with the laws of our country, let it be reiterated here you may also invalidate your car insurance with this modification. The vehicle is most likely to be illegal.

Time and again, readers of this blog, including the Malaysian public, have queried the Authorities (the police and Road Transport Department’s) officials, if legal actions can be taken against franchised agents of vehicles and accessory shop establishments which unfortunately cohort to fix illegal such tinting to customers’ vehicles.

Sadly, the Road Transport Department in our country is of the opinion that they cannot do anything at all about it! It is said, their hands are tied.

Does it take two to tango? In our national language, it is stipulated explicitly, tepuk sebelah tangan tidak berbunyi. Literally translated, the above famous Malay proverb or saying implies, it takes two hands to clap! interesting, isn’t it?

to end this short but interesting and intriguing article, permit me to quote from VOSA (Vehicle Operator Services Agency) of the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Transport Department, which specifically advises all motorists and car tinting establishments there, if you are a tinting company, you must not modify or offer to supply, a part, which when fitted to a vehicle, means that the vehicle does not conform with the Construction & Use Regulations of that country.

In short, if actions can be taken in the United Kingdom, why not here in Malaysia? Why is there this disparity?

After all, our legal system is reported to be following UK’s anyway! I fail to see the logic behind the inability to take actions against those responsible for illegal tinting of vehicles.

If years ago, foreigners seldom drive in our country, today the situation is altogether different. Tourists and even those working here, fancy driving in Malaysia.

An Indonesian emigrant, who lives in my immediate neighbourhood, even owns a white Kancil. A Bangladeshi working with the Maruichi factory in Jalan Meru, Klang is reported to own a Yamaha motorcycle. Mohd Ali told me he was lucky enough to strike RM15,000 a few weeks ago. His motorcycle registration number came up 1st prize in TOTO draw just recently.

No too long ago, I wrote about a young Vietnamese lady, who told me of her intention to get a driving license. And eventually, I suppose, to purchase a 2nd hand vehicle to go around our beautiful country.

As a citizen of this country, I for one have nothing against foreigners owning vehicles, including motorcycles. Nevertheless, these foreigners should be qualified enough to satisfy the conditions of becoming owners of vehicles and motorcycles.

What however saddens me is that of late, foreigners have been observed as not adhering to driving requirements and etiquette normally practiced by the local people here.

Maybe the non adherence to these rules and regulations expected, might be due to sheer ignorance of such requirements. In this short article, I will therefore highlight a few practices which are normally followed by local drivers and riders.

Amongst the rules and regulations being not followed by many foreign motorists here include:-

1. Driving or riding cars and motorcycles with bogus or invalid license.

As an instructor with more than 40 years of experience, I should be aware of such things happening. I’m not saying that all foreigners are resorting to driving or riding with illegally procured licenses from their domestic country. But the possibility of such practices happening unfortunately is rather high.

No efforts will be made to identity the countries involved for fear of repercussions. But the transport authorities here, that is, the Road Transport Department, should ensure that only those with legal and valid licenses are allowed the permission to drive here in our country, Malaysia.

But the problem is, how do we go about to determine the status of a foreign license? Are the licenses genuine and valid?

I have come to know personally of a foreigner friend who was able to purchase a new motorcycle on hire-purchase terms. The above person informed me of his ability to purchase a motorcycle from local agents using a falsified driving license. This is indeed a disturbing thing to happen.

Should an accident occur, victims of the incident will undoubtedly not be covered by insurance. Who then is to be blamed? The foreigner or is it the motorcycle agent who sold the machine?

Personally, I am of the opinion that the onus is on the foreigner himself, who upon knowing the invalidity of his driving license, should have refrained from purchasing a vehicle locally.

For readers’ information, driving or riding with an illegally procured license, invalidates one’s insurance policy’s coverage. I would like to provide an advice to those trapped in such circumstances. If possible, it would like to help them out of such predicaments.

What should such people using illegally procured licenses do? What do I suggest?

The above group of people should immediately take steps to do a retest to secure a Malaysian driving license. Obviously, these attempts would take a lot of time and money. But if determined efforts are taken, it is most certain that a foreigner will be able to secure a local license eventually. In the end, a lot of unnecessary problems would then be eliminated.

Topping the list would surely be the question of no insurance coverage, especially when accidents happen.

What are the steps a foreigner has to go through if he or she intends to get a Malaysian license?

Amongst the qualifications a foreigner should ideally possess of course are:

i. Be physically fit to enable to drive or ride a vehicle.

ii. Be capable of passing the Highway Code. For this, one needs to be proficient in either the English language or Bahasa Malaysia, which is our national language.

iii. The necessity to attend the 5 hour Defensive Driving Course (K.P.P) followed by the 6 hour Theory course on vehicle maintenance.

iv. Undergo a practical driving course, which can sometimes stretch from 10-15 lessons for cars (Class D) and

v. For motorcycles (Class B2 250c.c.), practical lessons must be obtained from driving institutes all across the country.

vi. Undergo a pre test exam conducted by the institutes. The above test is known as the Q.T.I (Qualifying Test in Institutes)

vii. Finally, a potential candidate has to appear or sit for a practical exam normally conducted the Road transport Department officials at most institutes premises.

viii. A foreigner should then ensure that he finally gets on official or genuine Malaysian driving license issued by the Road Transport Department or JPJ (Jabatan Penganhkutan Jalan).

Upon procuring the above license, a foreigner, be it a Bangladeshi or an Indian national for that matter, will form, henceforth be free from police or Road Transport Department’s officials road block operations and checks.

All foreigners should think carefully about my suggestions. Take the necessary steps immediately to get yourself a Malaysian driving license today!

After obtaining the above license, be it a Class B2 (motorcycles 250c.c.) or Class D (cars) license you could then proceed to secure a car or a motorcycle of your dreams legally.

Of course, a foreigner, like all other Malaysian drivers and motorcycle riders, will have to undergo the P probation period of 2 years. It is only after the P period is over, that a foreigner will be able to secure his CDL (Competent Driver’s License) eventually.

Also remember, a Malaysian driving license can easily be converted into the foreigner’s country domestic license back home. On top of that, Malaysian driving license is accepted for use world wide. Our license are of a rather high standard and most countries like America and England, accept its usage!

Besides the question of driving and riding licenses used by foreigners in Malaysia, another pertinent problem which many foreigners seem to create here is:

2. Not wearing safety helmets whilst riding motorcycles.

I am not implying that local folks are not committing the above violation. As a matter of fact, we are. But foreigners, be they be Indonesians, Bangladeshis, or Vietnamese who work and stay here in many of our housing estates, should always keep in mind this popular maxim. And that is, in Rome do as the Romans do.

While in a foreign land, foreigners or visitors to our country, should follow local customs and practices. Foreigners as far as possible, should follow rules and regulations. Local people here will tend to have a poor impression of foreigners who fail to adhere to our local laws, especially Road Transport Department’s rules and regulations.

As such foreigners, living in the midst of our housing estates, please don your safety helmets and not kopiahs (religion caps) or worse still, not even wearing a safety helmet at all.

Not wearing a safety helmet violates Circular K.4MS(SH) of the Road Transport Ordinance 1987. The courts according to Section 119(2) can easily find you a sum RM100 for it!

Malaysian motorists, especially errant road users, kindly take note. The authorities, which includes the Police, the Road Transport Department and others responsible for road safety has announced the A.E.S. which has been planned for quite some time now, has finally arrived.

It has now been announced, that the above system has been implemented, as from the 23rd September 2012. Initially, 14 Blackspots areas will see the implementation of cameras there. Its mission is to nab or arrest drivers and riders who fancy breaking the speed limit and beating traffic lights.

Using cameras and CCTV gadgets in controlling or recording traffic offences is not something new. It has in fact been used in other countries like Singapore, the United States, England and Europe. The results are encouraging.

Malaysian authorities now feel, that the rising incidents and deaths on our roads are now becoming alarmingly staggering. Some concrete steps should ideally be taken to prevent the situation from becoming worse.

Below are 11 pertinent questions which readers might want answered regarding the A.E.S.

1. Initially, where will the A.E.S. be implemented?

It will be put into action in Selangor, Perak, Putrajaya and also Kuala Lumpur.

2. How many cameras will be used in the initial stages?

14 altogether. 10 are supposed to nab drivers for speeding. 4 will be used to take action upon those breaking traffic lights violations.

3. Will the A.E.S. system be implemented throughout our country eventually?

The authorities say, there exists 817 black spots where the majority of accidents take place. During the 2nd phase of implementation, it is expected that the entire nation will be covered.

4. Can motorists check whether they have violated or been caught by these surveillance cameras under the A.E.S. system?

Definitely yes! Do not be unduly worried. Go to www.jpj.gov.my, you can get your queries answered there.

5. Would motorists be able to check upon where the A.E.S. is being implemented initially?

Motorists are advised to refer to the above mentioned website. From it, you can well gather information of where the operations are being conducted. Through knowing the locations, drivers can behave more responsibly and drive according to the law. Thus the number of road accidents will decrease. And we also hope that the government’s objectives of reducing fatal accidents will be achieved.

6. How should Malaysian motorists view the A.E.S?

The road Transport Department wants motorists to consider the implementation of this system as a mode of educating road users. It is not, as many suspect, to give clout or power to the JPJ or Police to issue summons to wrong doers. That is from being our intention!

7. Will there be warning signs erected in places where automated cameras are fixed?

The answer is YES! Like always, warning signs for speeding are normally erected 2-3 kilometers before the cameras are placed. For those beating traffic lights, usually warning notices are placed approximately 50-100 meters from traffic lights.

8. Where are the photographs and pictures captured on A.E.S. cameras forwarded?

They are forwarded to the A.E.S. Control Center. Vehicle registration numbers of offenders are cross checked rigorously with our data particulars of JPJ records. Only them, all summonses issued.

9. What if photographs taken do not match with registration particulars supplied by JPJ records, what then?

Where the driver is found not to be owner of a vehicle, when the offence was said to have occurred, owners can submit the offender’s particulars within 30 days.

10. What if offenders wish to contest the offence said to have been committed?

Well, it’s easy. Come to the courts at the time and day specified in the summons. It is as simple as that.

11. And finally, what should drivers who have received summons of their infringements should they receive their notices of summons?

Feel free to call A.E.S. Control Center. The contact number is 03-78464400 for Perak and 03-76288268 for residents of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.

It should be remembered that as from 23rd of September 2012, drivers are advised to be more disciplined and be patient. The A.E.S. is in its process of implementation. Restrain yourself. If you see the traffic lights turning amber, get ready to stop.

Beating the lights will cause you to be nabbed. The cost of it may turn out to be rather expensive. I am almost certain that the vast majority of Malaysian drivers will want to avoid getting summons if they can help it. After all, getting summoned as one knows, can be an very costly affair.

Incidentally, in case you do not know, beating the traffic light is a RM300 fine! So also, is offences for speeding too.

Most Malaysian motorists, especially those buying new, expensive cars, usually have their vehicle tinted. Many drivers believe, driving in a tinted car, is more conducive.

New vehicles usually have their screens and windows darkened or tinted. It makes the interior of the cars much cooler, thereby making it more bearable.

There is however one drawback regarding tinting our cars though. Motorists can only tint their vehicles up to a certain degree. Excessive tinting can land a Malaysian motorist in trouble with the laws.

Speaking about tinting, do all countries follow the same requirements? Is it the same for all countries, for example Singapore, the United Kingdom and here in Malaysia?

It is my contention that the laws should nearly be the same everywhere. There might be some slight differences though.

The VOSA (Vehicles Operators Services Agency) which is infact a subsidiary of United Kingdom’s M.O.T. (or Ministry of Transport) stipulates that according to it and under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, the amended act clarifies that the minimum level of light permitted for front windscreens, side windows and rear screens are as follows. Its specifications are:

i. Vehicles prior to April 1985, must allow 70% transmission of light via its windscreen and 50% through its other glasses.

ii. However, vehicles used after April 1985, must allow for a 75% transmission of light through its windscreen. Other specifications however, remain the same.

Malaysian motorists who tint their car windows and screens also face similar problems compared to their British counterparts. According to the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan or Road Transport Department’s Portal, Malaysian motorists must adhere to Rule 5(1) and Rule 5(3) Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Certain Glasses) Amendment 2000.

The above act regulates that:-
Front windscreens should permit no less than 70% light transmission. And Back Windscreens and Side Windows, a 50% light transmission is required.

Readers of this blog have often asked, are there special exemptions? Can a vehicle in Malaysia be allowed special allowances? Can a vehicle have its windows tinted darker or heavier than the specifications as given in the above act?

The Road transport Department advises, certain persons, only specified under Rules 11(a) and 11(b) of the Motor vehicles (Prohibition of Certain Types of Glasses) 1991 are given exemptions. Any person not included in the 11(a) and 11(b) category, who faces exposed skin problems and security threat many however, apply for special exemptions.

Speaking on the subject of tinted glasses, what if a Malaysian motorist fail to adhere to Rule 5(1) and Rule 5(3) Motor Vehicle (Prohibition of Certain Types of Glasses) Act? What are its punishment according to the laws?

The JPJ Portal advises:
Owners and drivers who contravene the rules are liable to be:

i. Fined a sum not exceeding RM500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 weeks; and

ii. A fine not exceeding RM1000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 month or both for a subsequent offence.

How can Malaysian drivers go about applying for permission to have their vehicles tinted heavier than permitted?

The Road transport Department advises as such. Motorists should use Form CG1 obtainable from its Putrajaya Headquarters. The Documents required are:-
i. A person’s certified MyKad or identity card
ii. A letter of confirmation from a government medical officer and latest medical records
iii. For cases of security purposes, one has to attach supporting documents

Rest assured, all applications would be provided due consideration. The Director-General of the Road Transport Department, will look into it and finally submit it to the Minister of transport for his approval eventually.

For those intending to renew the above special conditions, please remember that all renewals should be made 3 months prior to its expiry. For further details, one is advised to refer to JPJ Portal.

And finally, I would like to advise all Malaysians reading this blog, permission for the use of specially tinted vehicles are normally given for 1 year only. Do not forget to make your renewals.

Before proceeding any further with this article are you aware that a motorist who takes the law into his own hands, is indeed committing an offence?

Malaysians, it was reported in a survey done recently by MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research), are an angry and dangerous lot of people on the road. Antics of other drivers might tend to irritate and make you angry. But in reality you have to be patient and try to control yourself. However, there are a certain percentage of drivers amongst us, who can be driven to risky behaviours. By this, I imply that they then become road bullies or indulge in what is called road rage.

In this article, I would like to quote to readers, cases of road bullying or road rages that I personally knows of.

I live in a housing estate. Amongst many of my neighbours and acquaintances, is a person, a Chinese gentleman, 50, that I know. I should categorise him as being an eccentric. In short, mad, you might say. As you know, yours sincerely, is a driving school instructor for well over 42 years. I must admit that even I, sometimes commit mistakes. That is normal, you will surely agree.

I once stopped at a junction in my housing estate. In fact, I stopped too close to the vehicle infront. It was my fault, I do not deny it. Unfortunately, the driver infront of me, was my eccentric or mad friend that I told you of earlier. Due to whatever reasons which I’m not aware of, the said driver’s car infront suddenly rolled a few inches backwards, nearly colliding into me. If you were me, what would you do? Sit quietly and do nothing?

Well, I did what any sane minded person would do. You will automatically horn at the driver infront, won’t you? Well, that’s what I did. This not only frightened the driver ahead, but made him angry as well. He turned his head around, and with his palms, made a dirty international sign at me. This is what I mean as a behavior of road rage, which unfortunately Malaysia drivers are capable of.

If you are unlucky, in some cases of road rage behavior, a driver normally comes down from his car to assault the other driver. This can cause bodily harm, that can sometimes even end up in murder or manslaughter.

Permit me to quote to readers a true life situation of road bullying or road rage. If happened at the Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur some 50 years ago, in the 1970’s! It infact befelled my Karate instructor, Mr. C. Soo.

My instructor was a small, sized exponent, less than 5’6’’ tall. He was, if I remembered correctly, attached to the Karate Budokan or Association of Malaysia.

Let me tell you something more regarding Mr. Soo. He recently received his datukship! Congratulations to him. Mr. Soo, for readers’ information, was also once crowned the Malaysian Karate Champion in a competition which was held in East Malaysia. Although a champion, believe me, Mr. C. Soo, was an amicable, soft spoken and humble person.

An arrogant person, he was certainly Not! One could safely say, that karate to my instructor, Mr. C. Soo, was for protection and defense only. And definitely, not for fighting or hurting anybody.

And now, let’s come back to my story in question. The story has it, Mr. Soo, was alone when the incident happened. He was waiting patiently for another car to come from a parking lot. Before he could go in to park, another car, with 4 or 5 Malay youths inside, cut que and sped into the parking lot which my instructor had already intended to enter. Any person you would agree, would be enraged with such ungentlemanly behavior, don’t you think so?

As a karate instructor and albeit a Malaysian karate champion of all things, Mr. Soo would certainly not be taking such unruly behavior lying down! So, he approached the driver of the car carrying the 5 ruffians. He politely asked them why they had behaved in such a manner.

The driver, who happened to be a huge, gorilla sized character, come rushing to shove Mr. Soo away. That was when my instructor instinctively executed a horse kick or reverse kick. It landed squarely on to the assailant’s chest. The powerful kick sent the enemy back into his own vehicle.

Mr. Soo, my instructor, had emulated what Bruce Lee did in the Way of the Dragon other friends of the large, Malay guy, immediately fled in all directions! Luckily, a road rage incident, had ended up in the assailants becoming the victims instead.

The 3rd road bullying or road rage incident I would like to relate to all my readers, must surely be the case of Michael and Angelo. Michael and Angelo, were in fact a duo of Filipino singers, known ass Ninja Turtles. They were both, twin brothers. They were then performing at the Petaling Jaya Hotel Hilton lounge.

In a road rage incident near a traffic light junction in Petaling Jaya, one of the twin brothers, Michael, I think, was involved in a argument with a group of Chinese ruffians. Story has it that after the argument ended, the group later tailed Michael’s car, overtook him at the junction ahead, disembarked and forcefully pulled out the victim from his car, and stabbed him with an ice pick.

The assault resulted in Michael’s lungs being pierced. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. A road rage had ended in a case of manslaughter.

Following the report or survey made by MIROS, the Road Transport Department has come up with an advisory. The RTD above, wants motorists to report all irresponsible and dangerous behaviours by other drivers. Road Transport Department’s Director-general, Datuk Solah Mat Hassan also said, complainants can call in to inquire the status of their complaints. And JPJ or RTD will advise them of what actions had been taken.

To talk about or relate regarding road bullying or road rage behavior happening in Malaysia, without making a mention about the classic example of a road rage incident which happened in Kuala Lumpur, some few years ago, would be inappropriate.

The above interesting and yet shocking incident of road bullying involved a prominent businessman, a well known son of Malaysia’s early political figures. Mr. Lee, it was reported, was one of the sons, if I’m not mistaken, of the first Finance Minister of our country, H.S.Lee.

In a minor argument with another lady motorist, Madam Lee also, Mr. Lee disembarked from his vehicle, armed with a shotgun. The said assailant had lost his senses and was in a rage. Madam Lee was brutally shot. The above incident of road bullying shocked our entire nation.

In a court case that followed, Mr. Lee, the son of an ex-minister, was found guilty. I heard that he was then imprisoned for his actions, but was later on pardoned by the King or Yang di-Pertuan Agung.

In conclusion, I would like to advise all motorists, drive with care, be patient and settle any motoring disputes and squabbles amicably. Let the police deal with any case that should arise in the process of driving.

Remember, you should not take the laws into your own hands. It is an offence! You will, I believe, regret your road bullying or road rage actions later on. Let’s be patient. Patience, they say, is indeed a virtue.

As one responsible for almost most of the articles appearing in this blog, Driving School Malaysia, I sometimes run out of good and interesting articles to write on. I suppose, this must be the predicament faced by most people who write.

Today however, I have decided to write on an article “The Idiosyncrasies of Today’s Malaysian Drivers”. In referring to Malaysian drivers, of course, motorcyclists are also included as well.

First of all, permit me to explain to you what Idiosyncrasies are. I wouldn’t have known the above word, if not for my former English subject teacher, Mr. Pandian J. I still remember him explaining the above word to our class while we were either in Forms 1 or 2. Idiosyncrasies said Mr. Pandian, are a way of thinking and behavior of a certain person.

Thinking about it therefore, all of us, I believe, have idiosyncrasies of our own.

I can still remember Nandu Natekar, India’s top national badminton player in the 1950’s. Natekar, had an idiosyncrasy which annoyed and irritated many of his opponents. After winning back the service, and prior to executing his serve, Nandu Natekar would first of all, mop the sweat from his forehead, chin, eyebrows and all parts of his body that he could reach, before finally doing his serve. Sometimes, these irritating movements distracted the concentration of many opponents. They even complained to the referee about it. But, nothing official could be done.

My elder brother, who also plays badminton with me in me younger days, also has a certain idiosyncracy. I am unsure whether I should tell readers about it though. You see, my brother, whether it’s due to habit or whatever else, has to put out his tongue and moving it from right to left before executing his service moves while playing badminton.

Let me tell you about another, interesting and funny idiosyncratic behavior of yet another friend of mine. He was a Mr. Wong C. K. I shall not divulge his full name, as I might very well embarrass him. He was my volleyball team mate in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Without a doubt, I admit, Wong was a good player. I have to admit that! But Wong had an idiosyncracy which all of us hated. Whatever a ball comes through the air and is destined to be taken by Wong, he would first have to clap his hands before receiving the ball approaching. The funny thing is, the faster the pace of the game, the faster my friend has to clap his hands.

These annoying clapping by our comrade Wong, tremendously affected our performance. What happens if Wong were to be prevented from clapping during a game? Well, even simple returns cannot be then executed by him at all.

Now, let us leave aside the idiosyncracies of my friends playing badminton and volleyball. Let’s move on today’s article in question- Malaysian drivers and their idiosyncracies.

Amongst the usual idiosyncracies commonly performed by Malaysian drivers today must surely be:-

i. Dangling their forearms out of the driver’s window whilst driving.

This used to be done by drivers in the early days of 1950’s and 60’s. But fortunately, this idiosyncratic behavior has not been seen much these days. The reason being, today’s cars are mostly air conditioned. In the old days, drivers who smoke wind down the windows and put the forearms outside. These are indeed dangerous antics. I do not recommend anyone doing it.

A fellow instructor friend, an Indian man, lost the use of his forearm when it was crashed into by a passing lorry. The above instructor’s instructing days ended after that fateful incident.

ii. Using the handphone whilst driving.

Malaysian drivers these days have a bad or rather dirty habit of committing the above annoying behavior. It’s not only dangerous, it may very well cause a nasty accident too.

Two day’s ago, a driver in a Volvo, negotiated a U turn in town while talking on the handphone. Could we expect a worse idiosyncratic behavior than the above scenario? I guess not.

It’s not surprising therefore, to read of frightening accidents happening almost daily on our Malaysian roads and highways all over the country.

iii. The non observance of traffic lights, junctions and crossroads.

A reader to this blog, a Mr. Peter Stalk recently wrote in. He commented Malaysian drivers do not seem to know how to drive. Mr. Stalk was outright blunt and outspoken. He further adds Malaysian drivers infact have no respect for others, disobey traffic lights and drive dangerously. How right he is!

Observe carefully and you will discover that the majority of Malaysian drivers and motorcyclists do not seem to adhere to traffic lights, junctions and cross roads. The above are dangerous areas!

Drivers should be careful. Driving in Malaysia these days, say my elder brother, B.H.Yap, is no more a joy anymore. It has become very dangerous chore. Many friends of my brother, he says, have since given up driving wherever they can. They now opt to travel by buses, LRTs and Taxis these days. What is Malaysia coming to these days, I wonder.

iv. Ignoring zebra crossing and yellow boxes by today’s Malaysian drivers.

Malaysian drivers, especially the younger ones, seem to ignore zebra crossings, which are meant to assist pedestrians to cross busy areas such as schools, supermarkets and bus stations. The above is indeed a very dangerous offence.

Besides that yellow boxes near junctions and cross roads are also ignored by some Malaysian drivers nowadays. Such poor discipline are practiced by many Malaysian drivers these days. Such idiosyncracies infact does not augur well for Malaysian drivers as a whole.

The 4 examples of idiosyncratic behavior of Malaysian drivers is not something new. As a matter of fact, the above relevations have been highlighted again and again in my blog. But since these poor behavior are of extreme importance, I have decided to again highlight them once more for the benefits of all Malaysian drivers. It is hoped that by reading it, hopefully Malaysians will learn to become more proficient and better drivers.

The question of Xenon Lights or those white, blinding lights, have been a bone of contention amongst Malaysian drivers for quite some time now. Finally, the Road Transport Department (RTD), has finally seen it fit to come out with an elaborate explanation for the public’s perusal.

Can xenon lights, or High Intensity Discharge Lights (HID) be used in our country, Malaysia? Up until now, no one seems to know whether the above lights are legal or otherwise.

But the Road transport Department has finally come up with an article, entitled Approved H.I.D. Lights OK in the The Star newspaper of Thursday, 12th January edition. It’s a good article indeed. And what was more surprising was, it came from the Director-general of the department itself, Datuk Solah Mat Hassan.

With the above article, at least the public would now be able to decipher, if it is legal or not to see xenon or high intensity-lights being used by many cars, especially, luxury models, on our Malaysian roads.

First and foremost, the RTD advises that there are actually 2 types of these troublesome lights currently used by Malaysian motorists today.
These lights are:

i. Factory fitted H.I.D. lights.
ii. Retrofitted lights, which are normally stalled at most accessory shops outside.

The public should be reminded that the latter ones are considered ILLEGAL! At least, Malaysian motorists now know!

Many motorists, including myself, will no longer curse the on coming vehicles fitted with those white, blinding xenon head lamps unnecessarily. For all you know, the driver of the vehicle, may not be committing an offence at all!

In this article, the Director-general of the RTD, Datuk Solah Bin Mat Hassan, reiterated that the 269 vehicle models with factory fitted H.I.D. lights have all been cleared by his department. However, this does not mean that owners can rush to accessory shops to have their vehicles fitted with such lights.

The Transport Department wishes to inform the public, that any new vehicle make or model, entering the Malaysian market has to undergo the V.T.A. or the Vehicle Type Approval test.

The RTD said the V.T.A. test is meant to ascertain that the construction of a vehicle conforms with international standards, especially the UNECE specifications. UNECE Vehicle Technical Regulation is adopted by Malaysia. Vehicles have to follow the many regulations and sometimes adoptions that is enforced by our country.

What does the VTA examination encompass? In the above examination, RTD officers will physically inspect a model and its markings based on:

a. Certificates and

b. Test reports

which are supplied by vehicle manufacturers for every component. This includes H.I.D. lights as well.

H.I.D. lights that are comparable to UNECE specifications, will be awarded certificates R48, R98 or R99. That means a vehicle has surpassed the VTA tests required.

As mentioned earlier, vehicles which are retrofitted with High Intensity lights might not be safe enough. Besides causing glares or blinding on-coming drivers, the question of safety to users also plays a great role.

On going actions against users of H.I.D. and xenon lights users have been conducted from time to time. On suggestion that RTD prevent accessory shops from installing illegal H.I.D. lights, the RTD has advised that it’s beyond their rights to take actions on them.

However, the Director of the Road Transport Department has said those who possess complaints regarding vehicles that have been fitted with illegal lights, are advised to inform the department about it. Owners of such vehicles will then be directed to call in at the department’s premises for the RTD to inspect their vehicles.

The RTD’s latest explanation with regards to H.I.D. or xenon lights, has lifted a misconception that has existed in the minds of the motoring public in Malaysia. For the public, they are now in a better position to decide whether a xenon or H.I.D. vehicle is illegal or otherwise.

The public, I believe, would like to extend its gratitude to the Road Transport Department for taking the trouble to clear the air with regards to H.I.D. lights usage in this country.

It is without a doubt that Cherry cars may not be as popular as vehicles from other Asian rivals such as Korea and Japan and when compared to Toyota, Kia, Nissan, Honda and Suzuki, it stands nowhere but near them, at the rate at which Cherry cars are currently being produced, it won’t be too long before the above cars become a famous household name very soon.

Cherry Automobile Industry is reported to have some 12 overseas manufacturing bases in places such as Ukraine, Egypt, Russia, Iran, Uruguay and even here, in Malaysia. Regarding Cherry’s Malaysian market, according to Mr. Zhou Bi Ren, there are presently some 10,000 units of Cherry cars in Malaysia today.

Cherry car sales in Malaysia does not appear to be lucrative. The above is in a way due to the N.A.P. or National Automotive Policy followed by our country, Malaysia. The above policy stipulates very explicitly that it only allows foreign automakers which produce cars which have a engine capacity of more than 1.8 litres to be imported into Malaysia. Cars below this capacity range of which Cherry cars are categorized, all some difficulties being imported into Malaysia. The above policy is intended to protect local automobile industries.

Rather recently, a reader to this blog wrote in to lament that unlike other countries such as Europe, America, Australia and England, where electric vehicles have been introduced into their domestic market, the introduction of electric vehicles or cars into our country, Malaysia has not been very encouraging, as a matter of fact, it has been rather slow and discouraging, he says.

It has to be explained to readers that the attempt to introduce EV or electric vehicles into any country, especially Malaysia, is bound to meet with complicated and difficult problems. The above problems must first of all be overcome before the electric cars can be introduced successfully.

Mr. Zhou Bi Ren, Cherry Automoblie Limited’s spokesperson informed the public his company has developed several EV models such as M1-EV, X1-EV, Cherry’s A51 SG, A5 BSG, S11EV and S18 EV. The above vehicles are all ready to be launched the moment infrastructures such as charging stations or outlets are in place.

Readers should realize that for electric vehicles to be brought in to this country, we have to remember that a few pertinent things have first to be met. Amongst the things that needs to be first attended to are:

i. Charging Outlets and stations.

One should take into account where the electric cars can be recharged. Even if one has a place to recharge the electric vehicles’ battery power system, one cannot possibly be expected to wait a minimum of 5 hours for the charging process to take place.

ii. The problem of battery weight of electric cars.

It should be kept in mind, that EV or electric vehicles are basically of two types. They are short ranged, electric vehicles for town or city use, which can travel 50 – 80km. Out of town use electric vehicles which can travel further, for a distance of more than 150 km or more will require bigger and heavier battery capacity.

Cherry Automobile engineers are currently attempting to overcome this problem in in trying to come up with vehicles which has a capacity to travel in excess of 200 km. it has been suggested that car batteries for electric cars be replaced after use. But Cherry establishment reiterated that to do this involves a lot of money. As yet, no company has yet to agree to invest in setting up such a facility.

iii. The appreciation of the yuan against the dollar.

The yuan being a strong currency today appreciates strongly against the dollar. As such, the Cherry Automobile Company thus faces tremendous uphill problems.

iv. Different taxes and policies, language barriers and fluctuating government policies.

The above also represents some of the major problems faced by the Cherry Automobile establishment in its attempt to introduce its cars worldwide.

China has been slowly emerging as a major producer of automobiles besides Japan and Korea. Annual total sales volume of Chinese automobiles have increased tremendously from 459,000 in 2010 to some 682,000 in 2011. This represents an increase of some 36.3%. This makes the Cherry manufacturer the 6th highest ranking automotive producer in China today, overtaking the United States as the world’s largest auto market which boasts of an 18 million unit sale.

It is reported that by the year 2007, that the Cherry Automotive Company had celebrated the production of its one millionth car from its company’s production line in China. It won’t be long before the Cherry Automotive goes on to achieve its 2 millionth vehicle status very soon.

With Japan currently reeling under its recent earthquake and tsunami disasters, which will obviously take quite some years to recover, Cherry car producers is faced with a bright future for its automobile industry, especially where electric cars are concerned. Eagerly, motorists, especially in Malaysia, awaits Cherry’s arrival on our shores with bated breath!

Some critics say, Malaysian drivers can be considered as one of the worst drivers in the world. Whether the above statement is true or not, is subject to discussion.

I feel that the problem that lies behind the above statement must surely be the lack of discipline amongst Malaysian drivers and the road users, such as motorcyclists. This article will therefore take a closer look at the irritating antics and behaviour that are constantly committed by us, Malaysia drivers and motorcyclists.

1. Using the handphone whilst driving.

Although the usage of the above commodity does not appear to be very rampant along major highways, expressways and busy roads in towns, due to the constant surveillance by the police authorities and the JPJ or Road Transport Department’s officers, one has only to take a closer look at usage of handphones especially in housing estates and village or kampong areas.

In such areas, there is a distinct lack of the presence of police officials and Road Transport officers. I have time and again seen many drivers ignoring the law of using hands-free sets while driving.

Not only are drivers ignoring the Road Transport Act 1987’s stipulation that it is illegal to use handphones whilst driving, I have also seen even motorcycle riders resorting to use handphones whilst they are riding as well. It should be reiterated that the usage of handphones whilst driving or riding motorcycles is indeed a dangerous act. Such actions can lead to accidents and other mishaps easily.

On the other hand, the usage of a handphone while riding or driving contravenes Circular K 17(A) of the RTA. If brought to court, a person can be charged under Section 119(2). It carries a fine of RM300.

2. Not wearing a helmet whilst riding a motorcycle.

One might not see many motorcyclists riding a machine without helmets along major highways or expressways. Or for that matter, in town areas. This is because of the ever presence of the police and JPJ officials there.

But, go into the kampong or village areas, even in housing estates as well and you will see the high number of motorcyclists not using helmets. I am certain that you are bound to see many motorcycle and pillion riders going about without helmets, in total disregard for the helmet law.

According to surveys which have been carried out so far, riding a motorcycle is indeed a very dangerous act. Many people have been seriously injured. Some have been perished or died in mishaps and accidents on our roads. It has been reported that a total of 60% of our motorcyclists died on our roads due to head injuries. As a matter of fact, the head represents the most vital part of our bodies.

The wearing of helmets, especially those which are SIRIM approved, become compulsory a few years ago. The wearing of helmets is mandatory for both the motorcycle rider and his pillion.

Are you aware that besides knee high leather boots, jackets and rugged jeans, helmets are believed to be the only protection that a rider depends on if he is involved in an accident? Our heads, are very vulnerable to massive injuries when accidents occur.

Not wearing a helmet whilst riding a motorcycle, contravenes CICULAR K. 4MS (SH) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Under Section 119(2), the courts can very well fine you a sum of RM100 for the above offence.

If motorcycle riding or riding pillion is so dangerous, why then do our youths abstain or dislike wearing helmets while they are riding those two wheeled machines?

Amongst some of the reasons why our youths and younger generation go against this important and vital law must surely be:

i. It’s rather cumbersome to put on a helmet, they say.

This premise may be true. But one should remember that wearing a helmet, saves lives. Think carefully about it!

ii. Besides being cumbersome, many motorcyclists believe helmet ruffles one’s hair and make one look less handsome or attractive. Youths and youngsters these days are very naïve. They prefer to look attractive and beautiful. But have they ever considered the fact they might end up dead in the event that an accident were to happen?

So, it is matter of either looking attractive, good looking or being dead. That is the question that we have to think about.

3. Not observing cross junctions or simpang empat by drivers these days.

I am uncertain if drivers these days are aware of the dangers of cross junctions or simpang empat areas. Permit me to quote you a classic example of how a former driving student of mine was involved in a nasty accident which happened at a cross junction recently.

According to Mr. Tan, a goreng pisang hawker, her son, T.L. Tan, only 19 years old then, was involved in an accident with a group of mat rempits or illegal racers in the housing area where he lived. The mat rempit who crashed into Tan’s car as he was coming out from a cross junction, died as a result of the unwarranted incident. This resulted in my former driving student, having his driving license temporarily suspended.

He couldn’t drive for some time as court proceedings were instituted against him. My friend’s son was charged under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. For your information, the mat rempit, who unfortunately died, was infact involved in illegal racing and he was said to be not wearing helmet at that particular time.

In my latest encounter with my friend, Mrs. Tan, I was informed that T.L. Tan’s court’s proceedings are now over. The boy has been cleared of any wrong doings. His license has been reportedly returned to him. He is happy that can now drive again like before.

4. Installing modified xenon lights on vehicles.

Except for factory manufactured vehicles, officials from the Road Transport Department say, motorists who modify their yellow, amber coloured lights on their vehicles to white, blinding xenon headlights, have infact contravened the rules and regulations of the Road Transport Department.

But the sad thing in Malaysia that exists today is that, more and more motorists are converting their original headlights to those blinding, xenon lights. No actions have yet been taken. Although the JPJ or Road Transport Department has repeatedly informed the public that department officials are in the process of taking stern actions against those who modify their vehicles to use xenon lights, the public has yet to see any concrete actions being taken. The public infact awaits the authorities’ move.

5. Not observing traffic lights, especially by motorcyclists.

Traffic lights, irregardless of whether it is in our country, Malaysia, Singapore or even the United Kingdom, are all intended to control the movements of traffic. Eventually, it would assist in making the movements of traffic smoother and less accidents would take place.

Sad to say, however, the above does not seem to be the case in Malaysia. Malaysians, as a whole lack discipline. As a result, drivers and other motorists, especially those who ride motorcycles, do not appear to be heeding traffic lights at all.

At traffic lights, it can often be seen that 3 out of every 10 motorcyclists will wait for a few seconds, followed by some impatient motorcyclists who will then go to beat the traffic lights eventually.

6. Installing multicoloured lights and decorative lights on cars and motorcycles.

Many motorists and motorcyclists may not be aware that the front headlamps of a vehicle should of yellow rays only. The rear lights should ideally be red in colour. The indicators or signals should be amber in colour. No other form of colours are allowed to be fixed either infront or at the rear of vehicles.

Except, for Proton Saga vehicles, which were first produced by Proton in 1988, which had V shaped blue logo as its emblem or logo infront of its engine, no other form of colours are allowed to be fixed on vehicles and motorcycles.

But unfortunately, vehicles these days seem to have all forms of colours and decorative lights fitted onto their vehicles. It is about time the authorities take stern actions against the use of such illegal lights.

7. Motorists not observing stop look go signs at junctions.

Whether it is at T-junctions or cross junctions, such places represents dangerous areas where accidents can easily take place. As such, drivers and motorists are advised to observe STOP, LOOK, GO signs, which are installed at such places.

In Malaysia, I have frequently observed the majority of Malaysian drivers however fail to stop at such places. Due to Malaysian drivers’ lack of decorum, patience and discipline, they fail to stop at designated stop, look and go signs. As a result, Malaysian drivers shoot out straight into the main road ahead without first giving way to drivers infront who infact have the right of way.

After reading this article, it is urnestly hoped that Malaysian drivers, no matter whether they are driving cars or motorcycles, will from henceforth, observe the stop, look and go signs and give way to motorists ahead. This will I’m sure, result in Malaysian drivers becoming better disciplined and courteous drivers overall.