Everyone has some bad experience to share when it comes to renting a car. In order to make your car renting experience in Malaysia a pleasant one, here are a few tips to help ensure that you don’t suffer the same fate or at least to make sure that your frustration is kept to a bare minimum.

Your first step ought to be hiring a car successfully. While this ought to be easy, people get confused by various issues such as car type, prices and a whole lot of fine print. Using some of the tips given below, you may become better able to handle this.

Advance Booking Is The Key

The most important thing to remember here is that car rentals go up dramatically as you approach the date of hiring. The pricing is based on supply and demand. So as the date approaches and the number of cars availability goes down, the price begins to soar up.

Just to give you an example, let’s say you are coming to Malaysia for a holiday with your family and you want to book an automatic car. You really need to book months in advance because such cars are in high demand during the festive period.

And if you are travelling during the holiday season such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or Christmas, you definitely have to book three months in advance to secure the car you want. This way, you will not only ensure that you get a car of your choice but also that the price is reasonable.

As the holiday season approaches, prices will not only go up like crazy, you may find that all the cars are already hired and this may cause you to panic.

Important Steps For Making A Car Booking

Be clear about what type of car you would need and whether you prefer a car with a manual or an automatic gear box.

Next, you need to confirm where you will be picking it up and where you plan to leave it. Before contacting the various car rental companies in Malaysia, you must do some research on the rental rates and other factors to get some idea.

Actually, you should check whether the rates cover all issues such as taxes, location fees, mandatory insurances, break down cover and unlimited mileage. Generally, rates in Malaysia are all inclusive, but if you haven’t clarified all this at the beginning, you may be in for an ugly jolt. Then contact the ones you have zeroed on making all your specifications really clear.

If through emailing, your points don’t get clarified, you shouldn’t hesitate to pick up the phone and talk to them to get everything sorted out clearly. After checking out everything and you are satisfied, go ahead and make the reservation.

You should receive a confirmation voucher within a couple of days and if it doesn’t arrive for any reason, email the company and make sure that it arrives.

Second Important Step

When you arrive at your destination, your impulse would be to just pick up the keys of the hired car and drive away, but you should read the fine print here so that you don’t get any nasty surprises later. For instance, you will be asked if you want to take the Super Damage Waiver or the SDW insurance which reduces your liability to zero in case of a damage to the car.

This insurance is not mandatory and car hire companies make good money from it. The SDW insurance rates are high and so your net financial benefits may be questionable.

Check Out The Contract

You must read through the contract as well as receipt very carefully. If you don’t, you may end up paying for an insurance cover you never asked for in the first place. Ask them what their policy is with regard to fuel.

Most rental companies expect you to fill up the tank before returning the car and if you don’t, they will fleece you for this. Don’t be shy to ask questions or else you may end up losing money unnecessarily.

The Third Step

Now you are ready to drive away in your car and enjoy your vacation. But before getting into it, check it thoroughly for dents and other damages and make sure that the rental company also makes a note of it. This is to protect yourself from being charge for damages you are not responsible for. Be sure to check the oil levels as well.

The Forth Step

Once you have finished with your holiday, fill the car with gas at the petrol station that is nearest to the car rental depot so that they do not complain that the tank is not full. Return the car keys and pay only for extra charges that have already been agreed upon.

Car Rental In Malaysia

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A reader of this blog currently studying in Australia, recently wrote into this blog to say that he was coming back to Malaysia for 4 months soon. The above reader had inquired whether it would be possible to get a driving license within that short period of time.

And what did I answer with regards to the above query? Regretfully, my answer to the above inquiry was, definitely YES!

In Malaysia securing a driving or riding license for cars and motorcycles is not only cheap, as compared to other countries, it in fact can be obtained in not only a rather short period of time, but it is also not very costly at all.

For example, a driving license for cars (Class D) and motorcycles (Class B2 to ride a motorbike of less than 250c.c. capacity) can be achieved in not more than 35 or 40 days at the most. To secure a driving license for cars in Malaysia, works out to approximately RM750 to RM1000, inclusive of “L” and “P” licenses these days.

A motorcycle riding license can easily be obtained for as low as RM201, which is a government controlled price all institutes have to adhere to. Do you know that the fee for motorcycle riding license for Class B2 is only RM2 in Malaysia.

As early as in the 1960’s or 70’s, my cousin, Ah Loo, who was then staying in Ang Mo Kio in Singapore, once told me, that to secure a driving license in the island state, was then a big hassle. Can you just imagine what the problem will be to attempt getting a driving license in Singapore today?

I remember vividly my cousin, Ah Loo telling me, that to get an appointment just to sit for the Highway Code exam alone, a potential student had to wait a minimum of at least 2 years. All in all, a driving student in Singapore has to go through a lot of stringent tests, before he or she could lay hands on a driving license.

It is difficult, even quite impossible, as one consider it, for the people of Singapore to get their hands on a driving license. Besides, being expensive, Singapore driving licenses are of a high standard. Even the United Kingdom recognizes it.

Singapore driving licenses are accepted for automatic conversion, sadly, the Malaysian driving license is amongst one of the nations whose license is not accepted for conversion there. There must surely be good reasons for the UK Transport Department not to accept the Malaysian during license down there.

Besides all these facts driving tuition fees in the United Kingdom, is reputed to be quite expensive. According to the Accrington Driving Academy, which quite recently wrote in to this blog to comment on certain of my articles, say, it costs a person E17 an hour for tuition there. The above works out to be approximately RM100 an hour.

In Malaysia, driving schools and institutes charge no more than RM25 an hour only, come to think of it, could price be a factor in determining the quality of drivers which driving academies dish out?

The article which I am writing on today is based upon a comment made recently by a Malaysian transportation expert, Professor Dr. Abdul Rahim Nor, who incidentally is attached the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Social, Development and Environmental School in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr. Rahim is the head of the above department. Dr. Rahim has lamb lustered Malaysian drivers as “having no driving skills at all”. He continues to add, that “some are really not fit and they end up as road nuisance”.

Dr. Rahim, I supposes, must be referring to young and new drivers who have recently obtained their driving licenses. Obviously the above remark was not intended to refer to “all” Malaysian drivers as a whole.

New drivers seem to be oblivious to dangers. They feel safe. They, as a matter of fact, escape from accidents became other road users sympathize with them. They are accorded way despite the fact that they are breaking many rules on the road.

According to statistics on road accidents, road accidents have increased drastically by 4%, from 397,330 in 2009 to 414,421 last year, inspite of advices and reminders to drivers to drive carefully. The number of casualties have also increased tremendously.

To solve the above frightening situation, experts believe, Malaysia should follow other European countries, the United Kingdom and Australia, where it takes up to 4 years to get a passed driving license. In Australia, for example, a student is expected to attend some 120 hours of lessons before they are given a driving license.

In contrast, in Malaysia, the situation is such that a student can obtain a driving license within 1 to 2 months and then be issued with a provisional or “P” license to drive for 2 years. Even new drivers fail to display the required “P” on their vehicles. It is therefore not surprising that many accidents occur.

Driving accidents in Malaysia, according to surveys and statistics, were said to be caused by amongst other things, carelessness, speeding, driving recklessly, taking unnecessary and dangerous risks. To confront the already headache-causing problem, more than 1 million new vehicles are said to be registered every day in our country.

Experts like Dr. Rahim suggests Malaysia should attempt to produce better quality drivers. To do this, Malaysia should take concrete steps to revise the country’s current driving school industry syllabus. In doing so, it is hoped it would be able to produce drivers who are able to drive properly. This is the only way to eliminate the high rate of accidents taking place in the country today.

Malaysia was said to be saddled with a rate of 13 to 14 deaths per day a few years ago. Today, this figure stands at a staggering 17 or 18 deaths a day.

On top of revamping Malaysia present curriculum for driving, efforts should also be taken to encourage the use of public transport such as buses and trains, even flights. Public transport, are reputed to have a better safety record. This is exactly what is happening in Japan.

Most Japanese, it is reported, do not own cars. Good public transport has made it unnecessary for the majority of Japanese to own vehicles. In 2010, it was reported that there existed only 77 deaths amongst public transport users. Compare this to 1421 with those who travel by vehicles and you will surely be able to comprehend why public transport is the better choice of travel. Among pillion riders and motorcyclist the figure for deaths on the roads amounted to 4036 deaths.

Motorcyclists and pillion riders should therefore be using public transport for their “balik kampong” exodus back to their kampungs instead. “Balik kampung” or going back home to the roots of our places of origin, is a must for most people. It’s a part of our Malaysian way of life. That cannot be denied. But how we go about doing it can certainly be altered. Do Malaysians have to go back home every festive occasion by driving cars and riding motorcycles? We in reality do not.

Think about what I am suggesting. Go home via express buses, trains and taxis and planes instead. Go on, and book your tickets now! Travel home safely by using the public transport that’s available to us today. The newly revamped bus terminal, “Pudu Raya” is now ready and open. The “Pudu Sentral” bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur should be made used of to its fullest capacity. Think about it carefully!

“Balik kampong” by all means. But do it wisely and safely! Go home by express air-con bus today. It’s not only safer. It is also economically cheaper too.

Driving with an expired or invalid license will incur insurance companies refusing to provide or reject insurance coverage to vehicles should accidents take place.

In view of the above, Malaysian motorists and motorcyclists should be aware of having valid driving license whilst they are driving. We have to ensure that we renew our driving license and make sure that our vehicles have the proper insurance coverage and road taxes. It is the “onus” therefore of each individual driver and motorcyclist to ascertain that everything is in its proper order.

However, the authorities, very recently announced a new proposal to assist the motoring public to help them remember the “expiry” dates of their driving licenses. It was announced, that the authorities will soon be introducing a plan whereby driving licenses of Malaysian will be readjusted to coincide with a person’s date of birth date or “birthday”.

This, the authorities firmly believe, will go on to ensure that no driver or motorist will from henceforth get into trouble with the law, such as the authorities, the police and the Highway Patrol that man our highways and roads.

A good idea? You may, as motorists and drivers agree or disagree with the noble idea mooted. Although, I agree wholeheartedly with the latest proposal, and considers it a good idea, nevertheless, it feels there are more important things facing the Malaysian motoring public today that needs to be given due attention.

And in this article, examples of serious problems existing in Malaysia today, which should ideally be given the proper and immediate attention, will be highlighted. The problems are not new. Only that, the authorities have unfortunately failed to provide them due attention for such a long time.

What seems to be the “serious” problems of which I am talking about? Amongst some of the problems we are referring to must surely be:-

1. The non wearing of safety helmets as required by law in Malaysia.

Although the necessity of wearing safety helmets was introduced and made compulsory years ago, very unfortunately, this law seems to have been disregarded and ignored by many motorcyclists.

It now appears that more and more motorcyclists have chosen to ignore the safety helmet requisition. In kampungs or “villages”, housing estates, and even towns, one can easily observe how this important ruling has been disregarded. Therefore, it is about time the authorities, especially the police, take stern actions against chose who flout the law, before any unforeseen incidents take place.

2. Ferrying more than the number of pillion riders on a motorcycle.

A motorcycle intended to “carry” or “ferry” one pillion rider only. But in Malaysia, we often see motorcyclists frequently bringing more than 1 pillion rider on a motorbike. At times, we can even observe a motorcyclist ferrying two or even three pillion riders on one bike. This represents a serious offence.

The authorities, and in this case, the “police”, are implored to take strict actions upon those, especially kampong folks or those who are from the “village”, to prevent them from committing such unwarranted acts. After all, such stern actions by the authorities are intended to protect them.

3. The use of xenon lights by motorists.

Motorists should by now be aware that the use of “xenon” lights is prohibited. As explained by the Road Transport Department or Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ), it has reiterated that only “original” xenon lights which are factory fitted or in other words those xenon lights which are not modified by “accessory” shops, are permitted to be use.

But the saddest thing of all is that I feels, more and more motorists are beginning to use “xenon” lights. The problem has infact gone out of hand.

Unless, strict or stern actions are taken against owners of such bright, blinding lights on vehicles, there will come a time when the above problem will reach a stage whereby it is no longer controllable. When it reaches such a stage, it will then be next to impossible take any actions against the use of xenon lights in this country. The authorities should think about this problem seriously and take immediate actions to address the problem now itself.

4. Not adhering to the traffic lights system.

Motorists, especially motorcycle riders are very good of ignoring the traffic lights system that exists in this country. The problem comes about, as a result of drivers, especially motorcyclists, who are poorly disciplined. In fact, such motorcyclists have no discipline at all.

What should be done? The authorities who are responsible to enforce such laws, especially the police and the Road Transport Department should take immediate and strict actions upon those who disregard traffic lights. Fines which are presently imposed, should be made stricter. Licenses of those who break the traffic rules, should be withdrawn immediately.

The Automated Enforcement System (AES) which the authorities announced is to be implemented at all busy traffic lights in town, should be put in place as soon as possible. For readers who unaware, in the A.E.S, c.c.t.v cameras will be installed at all busy road junctions and other traffic congested areas to nab those who beat the traffic lights system.

5. Non usage of hands-free sets while driving.

Not using a hands-free set whilst driving contravenses the Road Transport Act 1987 via circular K17(A) R.T.R, the courts under Section 119 (2), can fine a person a sum of RM 300 for the above offence.

Motorists who do not have a hands-free set should ideally stop by the side of the road before continuing with their conversation. But the problem is, how many drivers will heed the advice given?

The authorities, especially the police are requested to take stern and drastic actions on drivers who use the handphone device whilst driving.

6. Illegal racing by youths.

“Illegal” racing is very prominent in this country. Under Section 81 of the Road Transport Act 1987, stern actions can be taken against those who either take part in illegal racing or “merempit” motor or organize them.

But nothing seems to be able to prevent youths of this country from partaking in this dangerous sport. Not even a hefty fine of RM 2000 or even confiscation of machines seems to be able to frighten those who are involved in illegal races from staying away from such events.

The authorities, especially the police and the Road Transport Department must come up with better ideas as to combat this scourge that is facing the nation. The inability to solve this problem has led to many youths losing their live.

Not too long ago, a friend of my daughter, met an accident with a group of 50 or so “illegal” racers at approximately 11.00 pm one night. After crashing into the car belonging to the above driver near Puchong, the “illegal” racers or “mat rempit”, as they are popularly known, broke all four windows of the victim’s car.

They then robbed him of all his money together with his handphone as well. Such incidences act as a bad publicity for the country’s image. The above “scourge” happens practically everyday all over our country. Unless something is done to alleviate the country of this worrisome problem, the future of the country appears slim.

The authorities should seriously consider drastic steps to stop the problem of illegal motor racing in this country as soon as possible. It has to be stopped right away!

But with the setting up of driving institutes all throughout the entire country later, the police department, I feel, has of late slackened its onslaught against vehicles which belong to the driving fraternity. One reason why the above appear to be so, is that, driving institutes, which were first set up in 1999, are today rather well run and organized according to the requirements of the Road Transport Department.

Another reason why the police have minimized their attention upon driving school vehicles these days is because most driving institutes nowadays operate legally. For the public’s information, driving institutes nowadays operate with:
i) Permits to instruct students via the S.M.I.

ii) All driving institutes’ vehicles undergo a compulsory 6 months inspection by the Puspkom authorities.

iii) Almost all driving school or institutes’ teaching staff or “instructors” are in possession of certificates to instruct or S.M.3.

iv) All driving institutes’ vehicles posses the S.M.1 certificate the S.M.2 certificate which allows the vehicles to be used to provide driving tuition to students.

With all the above certificates, the S.M.1 (permit to operate), the S.M.2 (permission to use a vehicle for instructing purposes) and the S.M.3 (certificate to instruct or teach), the police authorities in reality have hardly any fault at all to find with driving institute vehicles these days. Thus, their decision to abstain from harassing driving schools vehicles too much.

In the days before the setting up of driving institutes in Malaysia, there existed operators of driving schools which were termed as “illegal” or “haram” driving schools. Such driving schools did not posses the S.M.1 (permit to operate). Cars or vehicles used to teach students did not undergo “inspection”. Instructor also did not posses the required certificate to instruct or the S.M.3. This group of illegal driving school operators have gone into oblivion.

With the police authorities showing down its attention on driving schools or institutes those days, it now looks as if the duty to check upon vehicles being used by driving schools or institutes seems to have fallen into the hands of the Road Transport Department.

How does the JPJ keep a vigilance on driving school and institutes’ vehicles? JPJ has its team of enforcement officers and vehicles, especially Perdana and Pajero vehicles, making their rounds. The above vehicles seldom fail to stop driving school and institutes’ vehicles to check if they have the proper documents. Usually, documents such S.M.1, S.M.2 and S.M.3 are targeted. Besides these, Puspakom inspection discs and road tax are also checked thoroughly.

Most summonses, issued by the JPJ carry a fine compound of RM 300. Years ago, while I was using a Datsun 120Y to tutor my students at Taman Seri Andalas, Klang, I was stopped for a routine spot check by JPJ officers. When checked, the above vehicle was found to possess a few flaws such as:
i) Wipers not functioning properly.

ii) Not in possession of both the “side” mirrors.

iiii) Hand brakes were not in accordance with the authorities’ requirements.

All in all, 3 summonses were issued. No amount of appeals were entertained. I finally had to settle 3 summonses totaling RM 900 at the JPJ Pertaling Jaya headquarters within a span of one month.

Besides surveillance by the JPJ enforcement officers, their officers also conduct road blocks periodically at busy areas around town and housing estates. These are places frequently used by “haram” or “illegal” driving school operators to conduct their businesses.

I still remember, albeit very vaguely, being stopped by a JPJ road block team at the 3rd mile, Jalan Kapar, near the Bata Shoe Factory, one evening at approximately 7.30 p.m. My young, 17 year old female student and myself, had beaten the traffic lights at “amber”. We were instantly waved down by JPJ officers at a road block ahead. As usual, no amount of appeals seem to work. I had to fork out RM300 for the summons issued that day.

In my many years as driving school instructor, I have heard of many instances of my fellow instructors being stopped by JPJ enforcement teams. Among the offences they were pulled up for include:

i) Instructing pupils or students without the proper “L” license. In fact, this contravenes Section 26(1) of the Road Transport Act(R.T.O) 1987.

ii) Instructing more than one student in a single driving school or institute vehicle. According to rules and regulations laid down by the JPJ authorities, an instructor can only teach one student at a time. Having passengers at the rear while instructing a learner driver how to drive represents an offence.

iii) And of course, the usual offence is not having all the proper documents or papers essential to conduct a driving lesson on public roads.

Documents referred to include:
i. S.M.1 certificate(permit to run a driving school or institute business)

ii. S.M.2 certificate(which proves that driving school vehicles have undergone the proper inspection as required by Puspakom authorities.) This would include the proper “insurance” requirements in order to carry out instructions of new driving students.

iii. That students are properly attired. Slipper wearing and donning short skirts and shorts are unfortunately some of the mode of attire that are disallowed, likewise, instructors are also expected not to wear “slippers” while carrying out their duties. Lastly, instructors are also encouraged not to smoke while instructing as well.

Besides carrying out “road blocks” and “surveillance” on the roads, the JPJ often conduct “spot checks” by making visits to institutes’ premises from time to time. JPJ officers see to it that instructions given to students are conducted as per authorities’ regulations and rules.

Most important of all, driving instructors carrying out driving instructions to pupils are qualified and passes the S.M.3 certificate to teach or instruct. Even instructors, who from time to time leave their students while they are doing their parking maneuvers at the institute premises, to go to the “loo”, have been said to have been issued warning letters by JPJ officials.

In fact, one of my driving instructor colleagues, an Encik Rabani, was admonished for having stationed himself too far from his student while she was doing her parking steps. Encik Rabani, I heard, has been given a show cause letter by the JPJ, Selangor department for not carrying out his duties faithfully.

Stern actions by the JPJ authorities upon vehicles are never liked by driving schools or institutes. Nevertheless, if we were to ponder over it carefully, such actions by the authorities will infact bring about a world of good. With it, driving schools and institutes will be kept on their toes.

This augurs well, not only for the driving school industry as a whole, but also for the public as well. To the Road Transport Department (JPJ), keep up the good work!

Another student of mine, currently studying at a large government Chinese secondary school located in North Klang, informs me that their school has approximately 20 or more C.C.T.V.s installed around their school premises to help curb bad discipline amongst its students.

If readers were to observe carefully, it’s without doubt, they will be able to spot many factories and companies which seem to be installing these modern equipment, especially, at their front entrance to record visitors’ movements. This augurs well for the security of the establishments concerned.

Some time ago, I highlighted the A.E.P. or the Automated Enforcement Programme, in which some 1200 C.C.T.V.s were to be fixed at selected traffic lights and junctions all throughout the country. Perak and Selangor were amongst two of the states the programme was supposed to have been launched by September, 2010.

Even before the Road Transport Department can take off of with its intended programme, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has announced to the country, that C.C.T.V. cameras have been actually installed at 12 hot spots with the highest number of street crimes recorded in the country. According to the Housing and Local Government Ministry, Datuk Chor Chee Heng said that the government will be spending some RM36 million in 2010 under the project of “Safe City Programme”.

Up to date, some 496 C.C.T.V.s at 25 local authorities establishment throughout the country, including the 12 hot spots have been set up. Datuk Chor said this to reporters after launching the Safe City “handbook” in Kuala Lumpur back in July, 2010.

Due to the rapid rise of street crimes in the country, Datuk Chor further reiterated that “Safe City Programme” has been reactivated by the Urban and Rural Planning Department. There are a few hot spots, meaning areas where the crimes rate is considered to be extremely high in our country.

Amongst the areas where crime in reported to be extremely high are Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Ampang, Klang, Selayang, Johore Bahru, Johore Baru Tengah, Pasir Gudang, Penang and Seberang Prai.

Besides the installation of C.C.T.V. cameras, under the Safe City Programme itinerary, high crime areas are to be well lit, having separate pedestrian walkways, to install safety alarms, to be fixed with panic buttons and the setting up of safety mirrors.

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government informed the people that currently, some 39 local councils are involved with the programme. In time to come, this will be expanded to include 149 local authorities nation wide later. By the end of this year, Sabah and Sarawak, will also be included.

With the implementation of C.C.T.V.s by the local councils, “street crimes” have been reported to have fallen by some 30%. This is indeed good news! C.C.T.V.s is said to have succeeded in curbing street crimes. Its minister, Datuk Chor said, will be installing more C.C.T.V.s under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Criminals should think over very carefully before they commit a crime. As the saying goes, “your days are numbered!” C.C.T.V.s will in future monitor your every move.

Bank complexes, shopping malls, housing estates and busy thorough fares will soon be equipped with C.C.T.V.s. Such places will become safer for the citizens of Malaysia as a whole. The authorities should be commended for launching a good programme to ensure the safety of its citizens!

After the launching of the relaunching of the Safe City Programme by the Urban and Rural Planning Department, the people awaits the A.E.P. programme of the Road Transport Ministry in the use of C.C.T.V.s at all traffic light junctions throughout the whole country.

Under the A.E.S., busy traffic lights and heavily traffic congested areas especially in Johore Baru, Penang, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, are to be scrutinised by surveillance cameras or CCTV.

In fact, the Transport Ministry, if I remember clearly, the above system was scheduled to be launched by September 2010 at the latest. What has happened to the A.E.S. anyway? Has it be solved, readers may wish to inquire?

In one of my earlier articles in this blog, a mention was made regarding the use of pyramids by the Road Transport Department of the state of Bombay, India, I think to minimize the high rate of road accidents down there.

Regarding the Automated Enforcement System or A.E.S., the Transport Ministry again made an announcement about it just a few years ago. It appears that the above Ministry is in the process of finalizing the contract with companies which will be involved in the implementation of the A.E.S. For readers information, the A.E.S. is scheduled to use high speed cameras in its project.

The Deputy Minister of the Transport Ministry, Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri told Parliament about this recently. It appears that the high speed surveillance cameras will only be installed only upon the completion of the agreement. Datuk Rahim also reiterated that the A.E.S. will only be enforced 6 months after the contract agreement has been completed.

As such, the public has to bear with the delay for a few months longer. We could therefore safely say that the A.E.S. will only see its appearance in 2012 or later.

For readers’ information, the A.E.S. will be like all other things outsourced. The R.T.D. (Road Transport Department) or the J.P.J. (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan) does not seem capable of handling such a large scheme. It is said that the private company or provider of the system will be responsible for the system’s upgrading, maintenance, and installation of cameras.

Datuk Rahim also explained to Parliament that even though the A.E.S. was being outsourced to a service provider, nevertheless, photographs which will be used as evidences for speeding offences as well as other related traffic offences will be first of all be verified by the Road Transport Department before it is used.

Like the use of pyramids in Bombay, India, the A.E.S. is intended at reducing the high rate of road accidents which Malaysia is said to be experiencing today. The effectiveness of the A.E.S. has been proven to be very successful in countries like neighbouring Singapore and other foreign countries such as Europe, the United Kingdom as well as the United States.

The public eagerly awaits the implementation of the Automated Enforcement System. With its implementation by 2012, hopefully then, road accidents in this country will finally be reduced. With A.E.S., drivers are advised to think about and most important of all, abide by it or be summoned!

Gone will be the days where motorcyclists or motorists can beat the traffic light as and when they desire. The surveillance cameras at traffic light junctions and other busy areas in the city, will then record your irresponsible action and slap you with a summon which you truly deserve. Irresponsible motorists and road users, your days are in fact numbered! It is as they say, your “D” day has arrived.

At that time, vehicles were all imported into our country. When the famous beetle shaped vehicle was introduced here by its agents Champion Motors, believe it or not, it was sold at less than RM10,000. The Volkswagen Polo costs more than RM250,000 today. Das Auto Motors is its agents in Malaysia today, while its original agent then Champion Motors was located in Kuala Lumpur. It has since wound up its business here in this country.

Later, Japanese makes of vehicles began to make its appearance into the Malaysian market. Models such as Datsuns, Toyotas began to make its headway into the lucrative motoring industry of our newly independent country, Malaya which later on was to become Malaysia in 1963. Datsuns were imported by Tan Chong Motors. Toyota cars came under the franchise of Toyota Motors until today.

From a being nation which used to import its cars initially, Malaysia advanced into first of all locally assembling its cars here. Datsuns and Toyotas were some of the vehicles that were assembled. Cars became cheaper as a result.

But locally assembled vehicles became not only cheaper, unfortunately the standard of such cars fell or deteriorated as a result. Consumers became wary about locally assembled vehicles. They began to prefer imported cars which were costlier but of better quality. They were more reliable. Its parts were said to be longer lasting and more reliable.

In the later years, under the Dr. Mahatir era to be exact, Malaysia became a nation interested in not only assembling motor vehicles of its own, Malaysia became a country that was to produce its own national car imitating America, Germany or England.

As a result, Proton Holdings Berhad was inaugurated. In the beginning, most Protons cars used imported parts which were from Japan. But soon, Malaysia slowly moved towards more and more of using local made parts.

Locally produced parts such as brake pads, seats which were made of coconut husks instead of springs and rubber which were found in conventional cars from Germany, England and America. As a result of many locally produced parts being used, locally made Proton cars lacked the quality and were said to be unable to last long. Quality control of the cars produced caused consumers a lot of problems.

I once owned an imported model of a Toyota Corolla DX, which was produced in 1980. Until around 2008, when the above car was finally disposed off, believe it or not, the odometer never gave any problems at all. Comparing it to a Proton Saga 1300c.c. car which I happened to own for a few years, I had to change the odometer, fuel meter and other assorted meters found on the dashboard, a total of at least 3 times. And the above meters, I tell you, were not cheap. They in actual fact, costs nearly RM200.

Malaysians who used to use locally produced vehicles by Proton Malaysia used to be told, if one should fail to hear rattling sounds from a Proton car, then it is believed it is not a Proton car at all. But all these perceptions have since changed.

Proton has made a move to erase any doubt over defective parts of Proton cars. This is especially true with regards to the power window unit that is being used in Proton cars. Owners of Proton power window units are today being offered a lifetime warranty for all new Proton models that are registered from September 1st 2011. Likewise, all vehicles that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty as at September 1st are covered under this proposal as well.

According to Proton’s Group Managing Director, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, the lifetime warranty for Proton’s power window is limited to 250,000 km or 10 years from the date of the vehicles registration, whichever comes first. Proton Malaysia is providing this warranty as it intends to encourage customers to fully use the power window unit extensively. Should any problem exist, Proton will guarantee to fix it free of charge.

According to the Proton authorities, the 250,000 km is consistent with global standards of the average lifespan of a vehicle. What is the reason for Proton coming out with such a warranty?

Proton cars have been associated with the belief that the national car has always been noted for its power window failures previously. This perception regarding poor power window performance of Proton cars have in fact given Proton cars a rather bad image.

Syed Zainal, Proton’s Managing Director further added newer Proton models are now free of any power window maladies. Pertaining to Proton’s power window woes, this problematic issue was addressed as far back as 2006 or 2007. All Proton models have since not had any such power window problems since then.

Meanwhile, Proton will invest some RM3 million over the next 10 years. This move will eventually go on to benefit some 450,000 Proton owners that still qualify for the manufacturer’s warranty.

It should be kept in mind that the Proton warranty for power window units is only applicable to Proton car models sold in the domestic market only. It should also be noted that 4 main components for the power window unit, which encompasses the door regulator, power window motor, power window switch and also the run channel are involved.

With Proton’s latest campaign on power windows, it is hoped will go a long way in redeeming Proton’s image in the Malaysian motoring market. Kudos to Proton Holdings Berhad for its concerted efforts!

Furthermore, a brand new vehicle or car would be capable of providing you with better mileage consumption. On the other hand, I also reiterated, a second hand vehicle has its advantages as well. It’s cheaper and therefore requires less finance to purchase. It’s also less prone to be stolen as well.

But if you think owning an old car, especially one that’s more than 10 years old, is all a bed of roses, then you are sadly mistaken.

First of all, allow me to inform you one thing, just in case you are unaware brand new vehicles for one thing, requires 1st Party Insurance coverage. It can cause lots of headaches for the owners. Therefore, we should not always envy those who own posh, new vehicles. They in fact face many problems too.

While going up the hill of Genting Highlands, my “haram” or illegal taxi driver friend, Encik Johari, 55, saw a BMW 5 series car overtaking us at great speed. In a twinkling of an eye, the BMW had disappeared up the steep slopes near the Cradle Rock.

Do you know how much the BMW 5 series cost? Johari asked of me. When I replied in the negative, my friend answered, over RM550,000! I immediately suffered a massive headache.

But is it true that owner of old vehicles or 2nd hand ones have not much to worry about as compared to those who own brand new and posh vehicles? Let’s contemplate about it.

Every year, when the time comes for old vehicle owners to renew their mandatory road tax and insurance cover for such vehicles, they in fact face a lot of problems. Ask any of the owners who own vehicles that are over 10 or 15 years old and you’ll know what I mean.

On the 12th of October, 2011, the Star reported in a headline “No Age Limit For Vehicles”. If you are an owner of an old vehicle like me, tarry a while longer. Don’t jump for joy just yet! Read further a little bit more.

At the bottom, it continued, “Inspection for road worthiness a must”, says Deputy Transport Minister, Abdul Rahman Bakri.

Permit me to quote the full text of what the above minister said. Readers can thereafter make your own conclusion. Decide for yourselves whether the authorities are pulling the wool over our eyes or otherwise.

The full text is as follows: -

There shall be no age limit for vehicles. All well and good. But all vehicles must undergo inspection to determine their roadworthiness before being deemed safe for use. However, the government will not impose any age limit on them.

Furthermore, Deputy Transport Minister, Abdul Rahim Bakri went on to tell the Dewan Rakyat that the Transport Ministry has no plan to enforce a vehicle disposal scheme like in Singapore. One good and pertinent point about old vehicles was that the main cause for accidents was speeding. Age of a car was not a contributing factor at all.

But what I would like to comment on what the government just recently announced about the inspection of old vehicles is this “Does the authorities realize why the majority of kampong people or village folks, senior citizens and those of the lower income group opt for old and 2nd hand vehicles?

The answer is plain simple. They just cannot afford new cars. Having owned old rickety bone shaking vehicles, how do the authorities expect the above said group of poor people to upkeep these old vehicles and send them for a compulsory test yearly by the Puspakom authorities’ inspection exercise?

As a driving school instructor for well over 42 years, I have sometimes involved myself in the inspection of cars for friends too. Permit me to quote you the cost of attempting to send a private vehicle for yearly inspections.

Very roughly, the cost of sending your vehicle at Puspakom inspection centres, whether at Sg. Manggis, Banting, Padang Jawa, Klang or anywhere else, are as follows:-

i. Runner or middle man fees or charges can easily amount to RM100 – RM150.

ii. Insurance for 1st Party Insurance coverage currently total RM550 – RM650 for RM14,000 1st party coverage. On top of that, a motorist is forced to buy a compulsory RM10,000 Personal Accident Policy from the company which is willing to cover your old vehicle. This comes to about RM100.

iii. Of course, one can opt to go to the post office to secure your insurance coverage. This writer understands 1st party coverage are cheaper there. My elder brother, B.H. Yap tells me he recently obtained his old car’s insurance / road tax at RM100 less as compared to insurance companies privately owned.

Old cars being sent for inspection must ideally be in fairly condition. As such things, as I list down below should be attended to:

a) 4 new tyres will cost approximately RM100 x 4 = RM400

b) A vehicle’s brakes system will have to be serviced prior to its being checked by Puspakom authorities and it costs RM80 – RM100.

c) Paintwork touch up service for an old vehicle’s bodywork will cost RM100 approximately.

d) Wipers, horns, brake lights, indicators, all these will have to be in good, working order. The cost for replacing these can easily reach a sum of RM40 – RM50.

e) An old vehicle’s ball joints, suspension system, and undercarriage, wheel balancing and alignment procedures all have to be checked carefully if it is expected to pass Puspakom’s stringent 5 point examination, cost for the above repair mentioned, it is believed will come to approximately RM200 – RM250.

f) The inspection fee charged for inspection by Puspakom is RM50 per test. Subsequent tests are normally charged RM25.

All in all, an old vehicle or 2nd hand vehicle, which is more than 10 years of age, will need anything from RM1,000 – RM2,000 if it is expected to pass the 5 point inspection test conducted by Puspakom. Only then will an owner obtain the B5 certificate which will then enable him to secure his road tax disc from the Road Transport Department.

It is indeed going to be a big hassle for owners of old vehicles if they are to be forced to send their vehicles for inspection every year. Think about it carefully.

Won’t it be a better idea just to write off the old junk you are now possessing and buy another newer car rather than sending it for inspection at Puspakom! The authorities should consider carefully if what they intend to do is something viable or otherwise.

Anyway, even though my suggestion is good, it would be rather an impossible task to implement. The public will without a doubt make a hue and cry over it if indeed it is carried out.

The situation today is very much different. Malaysian police today are using the latest equipment to nab motorists who speed. They have the help of H.D. or high definition cameras!

Speed cameras called LT120-20 Tru which are said to be capable of capturing very sharp images are being used. If can even show clearly registration numbers of speeding vehicles.

Malaysian motorists who are caught speeding along our expressway, have all along challenged the police and J.P.J. summons issued. Even in the courts, there is not enough conclusive evidence to prove that a motorist has been speeding. All these will end soon.

Tens of thousands of the 285,000 motorists found speeding within the last four months of 2011, have been caught by the newly acquired 5 H.D. cameras and other 36 laser speed detectors.

Permit me to unfold to you some of the TruCam specifications and you will know what I mean. Then, decide for yourself whether you can escape from its clutches or otherwise. The LT120-20 TruCam sophisticated specifications include:-

i. Speed range: 0km/h – 320km/h

ii. Temperature range: 10°C – +60°C

iii. Maximum distance: 1,200m

iv. Measurement time: 0.33 seconds

v. H.D. image of speeding vehicle is captured and its speed detected using laser technology.

vi. The image of the offender’s vehicle is cropped out of the original picture, attached to the summons and sent to the vehicle owner.

The LT120-20 TruCam is said to be able to identify vehicle make and its model, license plate number and driver’s plus passenger’s characteristics. All these are good evidences which the courts will need to pin you down for the offence that you have committed.

The U.S. made LT120-20 TruCam, is reputed to cost approximately US6,000 (RM17,000). Summonses captured by the above unit, is normally despatched to the offender within 7 days of the offence being committed along with the captured images.

J.P.J. advised that initially offenders are sent reminders to contact the authorities concerned for an interview with them to verify the authenticity of the summonses. A failure to heed the above advice will result in a RM200 penalty. The final follow up procedure will be hauling the offender to court eventually.

In conclusion, it is believed that some 2,375 motorists are caught speeding in Malaysia everyday. With the LT120-20 TruCam it appears that the days for Malaysian motorists who fancy speeding along our highways and expressways dangerously are indeed numbered.

Your waterloo so to say, has finally arrived. Like Napoleon Bonaparte, who lost to Admiral Lord Nelson in 1815, your “D” day is imminent. Hurrah for the LT120-20 TruCam recorder!

The authorities especially the Police and the J.P.J. should buy more of them! They say the ends justify the means. TruCams may be expensive. But eventually, it will go on to save a lot of lives.

Through sheer neglect and indifference, Mr Lim’s driving document became null and void. He had permitted it to lapse for more than 3 years. As a result, Lim had to do a retest to get back his driving license.

Mr Lim, I remember was then living next to Pui Ying Primary School along 4th mile, Kapar Road, Klang. Although staying with his wife and children at the above address, Lim worked as a bouncer in a nightclub in Johore Baru, near Singapore. Lim went on to tell me, he used to travel rather frequently to Johore Baru in his red 2000 c.c. Mitsubishi car.

In many of my conversations with Mr Lim, this student of mine told me something which I found hard to believe. Lim said, he could travel from Kuala Lumpur to Johore Baru in less than 2 hours. Taking into consideration the fact that the distance from K.L. to Johore Baru is approximately 250km and that the maximum speed limit of our national expressway is 110km/h, my friend Lim must have been speeding away at speeds of over 180km/h to achieve the above feat.

This student told me a story which I feel should be related to all my blog readers. Once Lim said he left Kuala Lumpur at about 2.00 pm, he was in fact late and in hurry to get to Johore Baru. This time around, Lim was speeding as usual well over 180km/h.

At Nilai, a small town approximately 60 – 70 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, police personnel manning a road there, were unable to stop Mr Lim who was travelling excessively fast that day. My student had in fact sped past the police, even before they could take out their pens to record his car registration number.

The police in Nilai then radioed their counterparts in Seremban about the speeding red car of Mr Lim. Students who are familiar with Malaysian towns well, should know that Seremban is more or less 120km from Kuala Lumpur.

As the story unfolds, Mr Lim who was travelling very fast that afternoon in excess of no less than 200 km/h. I believe he was once again not stopped by the police authorities at Seremban. The police were becoming rather apprehensive. They now suspected that Lim must be ferrying drugs in his car. If not, why has Lim chosen to go so fast and had refused to stop at police road blocks set up for him thus far?

The police authorities then contacted their counterparts, this time at Gemas to stop Lim. Gemas as far as I’m aware is approximately 150km from Kuala Lumpur. This time around, the police felt that by hook or by crook, my friend Lim had to be stopped at Gemas and at all costs.

A road block was immediately set up at Gemas. I was told the police spread a spikes barrier across the entire road to prevent Mr Lim from getting across the road block laid out.

At Gemas, Lim found the road block and steel spikes barrier too much for him to handle. With pistols drawn, the police stopped Lim’s car and ordered him to disembark. Lim was asked to stand astride, put his hands on his car bonnet while the police frisked him thoroughly.

The police in fact found nothing. Lim was not carrying any drugs whatsoever. Although Lim was speeding away from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas at speeds well over 200 km/h that day, the police at that time did not possess sophisticated ray guns to record the speed at which he was travelling. The police therefore could not cite Lim for the offence of speeding.

Lim was set free. The police had no evidence that my friend, Mr Lim was indeed speeding on that particular day.

However, if the above incident which be felled Lim way back in the 1970s had happened today, the above incident would not have taken place. I will therefore have no opportunity to tell readers about it today.