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Car Purchase Scam Costs Kuala Terengganu Civil Servant RM99,000

A 50-year-old civil servant fell victim to a car purchase scam, losing RM99,000 in a fraudulent scheme involving a non-existent Perodua Alza. The scam highlights the ongoing risk of online fraud and the importance of verifying transactions before making payments.

Incident Details:

Fraudulent Advertisement: On August 8, the victim came across an advertisement for Perodua Alza cars on the Telegram application. The ad offered the vehicle at a price of RM26,000, prompting the victim to contact the provided phone number.
Payment Process: After discussions with the scammer, the victim was instructed to make an initial payment, which eventually escalated to RM99,000 due to additional charges purportedly required for the car’s acquisition.

Discovery and Reporting: Once the victim realised that the car did not exist, they filed a police report at the Kuala Terengganu Police Station to seek justice.

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Malaysia Faces RM4 Billion in Unpaid Traffic Fines

A staggering 41 million traffic fines, amounting to an estimated RM4 billion, remain unpaid by traffic offenders in Malaysia since 1990 up to June this year. This figure highlights a significant challenge for authorities in managing and enforcing traffic penalties.

Key Statistics

Total Unpaid Fines: Approximately 40,962,240 fines, totalling around RM4 billion.
Foreign Nationals: Out of these, about 51,128 fines, valued at RM5.1 million, involve foreign nationals from neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand.
- Singaporeans: Lead with 35,011 fines amounting to RM3.5 million.

Enforcement and Measures

Issuing Notifications: The Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, led by Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, plans to issue notifications to inform offenders of their outstanding fines.
Blacklisting: Motorists who do not settle their fines could be blacklisted by the Road Transport Department (RTD). The blacklist may affect individuals for major offences, including:
- Running red lights
- Driving in emergency lanes
- Overtaking on double lines
- Using communication devices while driving
- Queue jumping
- Speeding

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Proton Opens New Regional Parts Centre In Sabah To Meet Market Demand

Proton announced the official launch of its new Regional Parts Centre (RPC) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, enhancing its spare parts storage and distribution capabilities. This facility follows the launch of a similar centre in Sarawak last year. The new RPC, located in a commercial area of Inanam, significantly boosts the company’s ability to manage spare parts distribution, reducing lead times by 30%. This improvement is driven by increased output capacity from Proton Parts Centre Sdn Bhd (PPCSB) in West Malaysia and direct overseas shipments, addressing the growing demand in Sabah, Proton’s third-highest state for vehicle sales in Malaysia.

Spanning approximately 28,000 square feet, the Kota Kinabalu RPC is 2.5 times larger than its predecessor. It can accommodate up to six containers of parts simultaneously, compared to two previously, and is processing an average of 26 containers per month. This expanded capacity allows the centre to store up to three months’ worth of stock, reducing delivery times to dealerships and customers.

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First 500 J7’s Delivered To Jaecoo Dealerships

Jaecoo Malaysia has officially commenced the delivery of the first 500 units of the J7 Premium Off-road SUV to dealerships. This milestone follows a dedicated seven-month effort to establish a comprehensive ecosystem and network, leading up to the J7’s official launch in mid-July. The brand has successfully met its delivery schedule for this initial batch, which is set to be completed within the third quarter of the year.

The first batch consists of the Jaecoo J7 All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) variant, with the subsequent deliveries in September featuring the Two-Wheel-Drive (2WD) variant. The J7’s competitive pricing has captured significant attention in the market, with the AWD variant priced at RM148,800 and the 2WD variant at RM138,800. This strategic pricing positions the J7 as a notable contender in the C-segment SUV category, providing a blend of luxury and affordability.

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GWM Malaysia Delivers 100 Units of GWM TANK 300 in a Single Month

In just one month since its mid-July launch, Great Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia has achieved a remarkable milestone by delivering the first 100 units of the GWM TANK 300 to customers. This Intelligent Luxury Off-road SUV has garnered significant attention from both the local media and the off-road driving community, contributing to this impressive accomplishment.

To celebrate this achievement, GWM Malaysia is offering exceptional rewards to the first 300 owners of the GWM TANK 300. These rewards include a lifetime warranty on the engine and transmission (limited to the first-hand owner), and five years of free service maintenance (covering labour and parts) based on every 10,000km or six months, whichever comes first. Additionally, recipients will receive a Thule Paramount Backpack worth RM999 and a Thule Adventure Kit Voucher worth RM8,000.

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Volvo EX30 Electric SUV Now Open For Registration

The Volvo EX30, a fully electric SUV, is set to launch soon in Malaysia, with early registration now open for those eager to be among the first to know about this exciting new model.

The Volvo EX30 stands out with the fastest acceleration of any Volvo car to date. It comes equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a new automatic parking feature, a contextual user interface with Google Built-in, upgraded semi-autonomous Pilot Assist functionality, and comprehensive 360° environmental awareness provided by its array of cameras, sensors, and radars.

This premium electric vehicle is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, drawing inspiration from the philosophy that every moment matters, from the design phase to everyday driving. Its compact size makes it ideal for urban environments, while its intelligent storage solutions and advanced safety features ensure a practical and secure driving experience for all occupants.

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WTCA Introduces Locally-Assembled GAC GS3 Emzoom in the ASEAN Region

WTCA Automotif (M) Sdn. Bhd. (WTCA), a subsidiary of Warisan TC Holdings Berhad, has announced the introduction of the locally-assembled GAC GS3 Emzoom in right-hand drive for the ASEAN region. This achievement comes in response to high demand and is aimed at offering more attractive and affordable pricing for customers.

GAC GS3 Emzoom: CKD Initiative and Availability

Transition to CKD Units: As of August 10, 2024, WTCA will cease accepting bookings for Completely Built Up (CBU) units of the GAC GS3 Emzoom. Existing CBU bookings can be converted to Completely Knocked Down (CKD) units. The CKD GAC GS3 Emzoom will be available in the Premium-R variant, priced at RM126,800. It will come in five colors: Salt Lake Blue, Asphalt Black, Superstar Silver, Graphite Grey, and Frost White.

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Tesla to Discuss Investment Plans in Malaysia on August 22

A representative from Tesla’s headquarters in the US will meet with Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti) on August 22 to discuss the company’s investment plans in Malaysia. The meeting is expected to clarify Tesla’s commitments and future plans in the region, according to Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz as reported by FMT.

Key Points:

Meeting Agenda: The discussion will focus on Tesla’s investment strategy and confirm the continuance of any previous commitments made by the company. An official statement will be issued after the meeting to provide clarity on Tesla’s plans.
Current Operations: Despite recent reports, Tesla’s existing service centres in Malaysia will continue to operate as usual. Tesla currently operates four experience centres in Malaysia.
Recent Reports: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently suggested that Tesla has struggled to keep up with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and has faced financial difficulties. Anwar claimed that Tesla shared this information with Miti.

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Volkswagen Malaysia Launches Exclusive Golf GTI Edition 50

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has unveiled the highly anticipated Golf GTI Edition 50, celebrating the iconic Golf’s 50th anniversary. Priced at RM267,990, the exclusive model comes with a comprehensive Volkswagen Assurance Package (VAP), which includes 5 years of maintenance, unlimited mileage warranty, and roadside assistance.

Key Features and Enhancements

The Golf GTI Edition 50 boasts a range of distinctive features and accessories:

Exterior Design: The special edition is adorned with an Oettinger body kit, which includes a black front spoiler, roof spoiler, and diffuser, enhancing its sporty aesthetics. It also features 18” ‘Pretoria’ light alloy wheels in a high-gloss black finish, black side mirror caps, and exclusive Edition 50 emblems. The Edition 50 branding extends to the VW Tint and emblems on the B-pillars.

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MITI Refutes Report on Tesla Abandoning Southeast Asia Factory Plans

The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) has dismissed a report by Thai daily The Nation alleging that US electric car maker Tesla has abandoned its plans to establish factories in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.

According to FMT, a source from MITI stated that the report, which cited an unnamed government source, does not reflect an official statement from Tesla and lacks confirmation from the company itself.

“The report cited is not an official statement from Tesla, and confirmation would need to come directly from Tesla,” the MITI source emphasised.

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