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  Jetour T2 launched - 2.0T AWD, 245 PS, RM157k

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  2026 Honda CR-V – BLIS, RCTA, Google, fr RM178k

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  Proton S70 MC1 launched -1.5T i-GT, RM69k-RM90k

Latest Stories

• Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia launches team for 2026 Thailand Super Series with GR Supra GT4 Evo2

  In Local News, Motorsports, Toyota / by Mick Chan / 16 March 2026 6:01 pm

  

  UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has officially launched the Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia team that will contest the 2026 season of the Thailand Super Series, with a full season entry in the GT4 category with a pair of Toyota GR Supra GT4 Evo2 race cars.

  The outfit is led by team principal Jason Ong, with Japan GT GT500 winner, Nürburgring 24 Hours SP8 and SP Pro class winner and Asian Le Mans GTE class winner Akira Iida as team director. Forming the driver line-up is a quartet of drivers with a wealth of experience in international racing, consisting of Shaun Thong and Weiron Tan in the #81 car, alongside Nazim Azman and Putera Adam in the #83 car.

  Both will enter the GT4 class contested by the likes of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Mercedes-AMG GT4, Aston Martin Vantage GT4, along with five other units of the GR Supra GT4 in TSS this year, including one entered by Malaysian team Wing Hin Motorsport.

  

  Shaun Thong, aged 31 this year is the most experienced driver of the quartet, having started in Asian Formula Renault at the age of 16 and has now accrued 45 race wins, seven titles and 250 race starts. Among the series Thong has entered includes British Formula Renault, Formula Ford UK, Euro Formula Open F3 Nurburgring 24H with Audi, GT World Challenge Asia, Asian Lemans LMP3 Series, Super GT300, Super Taikyu Endurance and more.

  His partner in the #81 car, Weiron Tan, also aged 31 this year is winner of the 2011 Lotus Supercup GT4 Series, and has raced in the Asian Le Mans Series in the prototype class, the China GT Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship, GT World Challenge Asia Series, as well as having been works driver for Audi Sport Asia and junior development driver in the Caterham F1 team.

  

  Nazim Azman, 24, comes to the outfit having begun in Italian Formula 4 in 2018, and then moved on to British Formula 3, Euro Formula Open Championship and then the FIA Formula 3 Championship. More recently, Nazim was in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) one-make series for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

  The youngest of the drivers is Putera Adam at 19 years of age, and stands out as a product of Toyota’s young talent development programme, having come through the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge series in the Rookie, Sporting and Super Sporting classes, and is a race winner in the GR86 Cup Malaysia series. Most recently, Putera Adam has clinched the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe Pro category title for 2025, becoming the first Asian to do so.

  

  

  

  The GR Supra GT4 Evo2 racer, as its name indicates, is built to GT4 category specifications; powertrain is comprised of a 2,996 cc inline-six cylinder engine with a single twin-scroll turbocharger, with peak power dependent on Balance off Performance (BoP) restrictions which vary over the course of a season; peak torque is 660 Nm.

  Transmission is a modified seven-speed ZF automatic transmission, and the driveline is comprised of a high-torque spec driveshaft by GKN, and a limited-slip differential by Drexler. Engine management is by Marelli, and the exhaust is a catalytic converter-equipped racing setup by Akrapovic.

  

  

  

  Suspension layout is similar to the road car with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup at the rear, with KW adjustable racing dampers. Steering is by rack-and-pinion with electric power assistance, and braking is comprised of steel discs measuring 390 mm in front and 355 mm at the rear, using six-piston and four-piston calipers front and rear, respectively. Wheel and tyre sizes are a “square” setup, using Pirelli 305/660-18 tyres on 18-inch OZ wheels at all four corners.

  For the coming 2026 season of the Thailand Super Series, teams commence pre-season testing on April 22-23 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, prior to Round 1 of racing on May 21-24 at the same venue. Round 2 will be held at the Bangsaen street circuit, before the series heads to the Petronas Sepang International Circuit for Rounds 3 and 4 on August 21-23. and September 18-20 respectively. The season finale sees the series return to Buriram on October 31-November 1.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia GR Supra GT4 Evo2, official images

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

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• 2026 KTNS TT Classic 150 for Malaysia, RM6,888

  In Bikes, KTNS, Local Bike News / by Mohan K Ramanujam / 16 March 2026 5:20 pm

  

  A retro scrambler from MForce Bike Holdings in Malaysia, the 2026 KTNS TT Classic 150, priced at RM6,888. Pricing does not include road tax, insurance or registration and there are three colour schemes offered – Dark Gold, Matt Black dan Matt Grey – blog with a two-year or 20,000 km warranty against maufacturing defects.

  Power for the TT Classic 150 comes from an air-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke mill, fed by EFI and displacing 150 cc. With 10.6 hp and 11.5 Nm of torque, the TT Classic gets power to the rear wheel via a five-speed gearbox and chain final drive.

  The TT Classic 150 rolls on spoked wheels, an 18-inch hoop in front and a 17-inch unit at the back, wearing 110/90 and 120/70 tyres, front and rear, respectively. Front suspension uses telescopic forks while the rear get gets a preload-adjustable monoshock.

  

  

  

  

  Braking is done with single hydraulic brake discs front and back, while ABS is omitted from the specifications sheet. Riding information is displayed on a LCD instrument panel, including read-outs for gear position and fuel.

  LED lighting is used throughout while engine guards are standard equipment. The TT Classic 150 weighs 130 dry, while 11-litres is carried in the tank, with set height set at 840 mm.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

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• 2026 BYD Atto 3 revealed in China – update brings RWD layout, 272 PS and 326 PS versions, new styling

  In BYD, Cars, International News / by Mick Chan / 16 March 2026 3:11 pm

  

  The BYD Atto 3 has received another update, as revealed by a filing with the Chinese government’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT), according to Car News China.

  Documentation for the MIIT filing reveals that the updated Atto 3 measures 4,665 mm long, 1,895 mm wide and 1,675 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,770 mm, making more than 200 mm longer than the current version. Kerb weight for the 2026 Atto 3 in China is a claimed 1,690 kg.

  Powertrain for the updated Atto 3 takes after the Atto 3 Evo for Europe in that the updated model switches to a rear-wheel-drive powertrain layout, and MIIT documents reportedly list two output levels, 200 kW (272 PS) and 240 kW (326 PS).

  

  Other mechanical updates have yet to be disclosed, though for reference, the European-market Atto 3 Evo was updated with a new multi-link rear suspension layout (five-link succeeding the previous four-link layout), while that version’s luggage capacity has grown 50 litres to 490 litres, or up to 1,360 litres with the seats folded, and the frunk holds 101 litres.

  According to IT Home, the updated Atto 3 for China could adopt the second-generation BYD Blade battery which the manufacturer announced earlier this month, which has been said to pack greater energy density and be capable of 10-70% charge in five minutes.

  For ADAS, the MIIT filing shows the updated Atto 3 will pack additional sensors, and these have been shown to be located on its roof (for lidar), along with front-mounted radar as well as cameras on its fenders.

  

  Visual changes on the latest Atto 3 include a restyled front bumper with a revised centre panel and redesigned, vertically-oriented air intakes, slimmer headlamps, while its door handles are now semi-flush units. Wheel offered include 18- and 19-inch units.

  At the rear, the tail lamp assembly now appears uniform in thickness across its full width, while the restyled tailgate spoiler houses a slimmer high-mount brake light.

  For market introduction, Car News China cited other Chinese media outlets as having reported that the order books for the updated Atto 3 in China could open around the middle of this year.

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• Sime Motors launches BYD Mansion Macalister – brand’s 1st heritage-concept showroom in Penang

  In BYD, Cars, Local News / by Gerard Lye / 16 March 2026 3:03 pm

  

  Sime Darby Beyond Auto has launched BYD Mansion Macalister, its new showroom in Penang that is located along the historic Jalan Macalister.

  Set on a 26,994 square feet parcel of land with approximately 9,000 square feet of built-up space, the showroom reuses a century-old building that previously served as a commercial landmark in the local community.

  The building’s distinctive architectural character was preserved while restoration works were carried out to create the BYD showroom, which features a contemporary retail environment showcasing the brand’s electrical mobility focus.

  Through these efforts, BYD Mansion Macalister is being dubbed Malaysia’s first BYD heritage-concept showroom. Within the built-up space is a showroom floor that can accommodate up to four vehicles within a gallery-like setting. There are also lounge-style consultation areas as well as a private delivery room for customers.

  

  

  

  Additionally, an on-site service centre with five work bays, an alignment bay and three service reception bays serve to meet the aftersales needs of customers. The mansion also features a charging hub with one 60 kW DC fast charger and seven AC chargers.

  “BYD Mansion Macalister represents an important milestone in how we continue to evolve the automotive retail experience. By transforming a historic property into a modern electric mobility destination, we are not only preserving an important part of Penang’s architectural heritage, but also creating a meaningful space where customers can experience the future of mobility,” said Andrew Basham, managing director of Sime Motors.

  “The opening of BYD Mansion in Macalister is a meaningful milestone for BYD in Malaysia, reflecting our continued commitment to growing the brand in ways that are closer to local communities. What makes this showroom especially significant is how it brings together premium customer experience, innovation, and uniquely Malaysian cultural touches, creating a space that not only showcases our vehicles, but also reflects the warmth, identity, and progress of the market we are proud to serve,” added Jacob Ma, deputy general manager of BYD Malaysia.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

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• MOT: Goods vehicles up to 7,500 GVW de-controlled

  In Cars, Local News / by Mohan K Ramanujam / 16 March 2026 2:53 pm

  

  New guidelines from the Malaysian Ministry of Transport (MOT) de-controlling vehicles and pick-up trucks for goods transport. Beginning April 1, 2026, goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of up to 7,500kg are categorised as de‑controlled vehicles.

  Loke said private pick-up trucks are allowed to transport their own goods, on condition the load is safely secured and does not exceed the load limit of the vehicle. This means private owners or companies having such vehicles may transport their own goods without requiring an operator’s permit from the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).

  However, vehicles used for hire or payment are still considered commercial vehicles and as such, require a permit.

  “If the vehicle is used to carry goods belonging to a third party for hire or reward, the operator must obtain a Class A Carrier Permit from APAD in accordance with the Land Public Transport Act 2010,” said Transport Minister Anthony Loke, in a The Malay Mail report.

  Class D driving licence holders are permitted to drive de‑controlled vehicles with an unladen weight of up to 4,000kg, despite the current licence limit of 3,500 kg. “This flexibility takes into account the additional weight from cargo bodies or other structures installed on the vehicle,” said Loke.

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• Speed limiter verification compliance only 15% so far

  In Local News, Public Transport, Safety / by Jonathan James Tan / 16 March 2026 2:22 pm

  

  Road transport department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli has said that as of March 12, only 15%, or 74,552 of the 513,679 commercial vehicles required to install speed limiter devices (SLD), have notified the JPJ of their SLD installation, Bernama reports.

  Strangely, this contrasts sharply with the 48.37% compliance rate transport minister Anthony Loke announced in December, although details were not elaborated upon then – there could possibly be a distinction between ‘installed’ and ‘verified’, or vehicles that already have SLDs installed, whether factory or retrofitted, versus just those that need to retrofit them.

  To jog your memory, owners of vehicles with SLDs – which limit speed to 90 km/h – installed by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) must submit the SLD functional verification slip from the OEM. For vehicles with retrofitted SLDs (installed after purchase), owners must submit the SLD functional verification slip from a JPJ-recognised certifier.

  Said documents must always be kept in the vehicle for enforcement purposes, and the verification must be renewed every two years to ensure the SLD is still working as intended. All parties involved in the verification must upload each vehicle’s verification slip and functionality report on JPJ’s online system as evidence, and updating must be done weekly.

  

  According to Aedy Fadly, the remaining 85%, or 439,127 vehicles, have yet to notify JPJ of their SLD installation, and a special SLD enforcement operation was carried out from October 1 to March 12. Enforcement will continue over Hari Raya, with SLD verification certificates to be among the inspection items.

  “During that period (October-March), a total of 111,743 commercial vehicles were inspected, with 8,924 vehicles issued notices for investigation under Section 114 for various offences related to compliance and the functionality of the speed-limiting device,” he told a press conference recently.

  “Among the reasons for the low compliance is that some companies have applied for a postponement of installation as they do not have access to local hardware and have to source installations abroad, which requires additional time,” he added.

  Enforced since October 1, SLDs are mandatory for goods vehicles with a gross weight (BDM) above 3,500 kg, and tour and express buses with a BDM above 5,000 kg and passenger capacity of more than eight.

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• iCaur Malaysia has delivered over 1,800 vehicles since brand launch – introduces new official owners club

  In Cars, iCaur, Local News / by Gerard Lye / 16 March 2026 1:56 pm

  

  iCaur Malaysia has announced it has delivered just over 1,800 vehicles since the Chinese brand made its official debut in May last year. The 03 was the first iCaur model to go on sale here back in September 2025, with the V23 being its second offering from November the same year – a Retro Edition of the latter followed after.

  “Reaching 1,800 vehicles on the road is a meaningful moment for iCaur Malaysia. It reflects the connection we are building with drivers across the country who appreciate distinctive design, performance and an ownership experience that feels expressive. As we continue to grow, iCaur is here to lead the off-road NEV segment, appealing to a generation that values individuality, self-expression, and innovation through a unique ecosystem,” said Francis Chin, senior director of iCaur Malaysia.

  

  

  To mark the milestone, the company recently held a gathering for its owners to celebrate the handover of the 1,800th and 1,801st iCaur vehicles to their proud new owners. That same event also saw launch of the iCaur Malaysia Owners Club, its first official owners club in Malaysia.

  “Our customers embrace the ‘Born to Play’ spirit as a reflection of how they want to drive and live. With iCaur Malaysia Owners Club, we are creating more opportunities for owners to connect, share experiences, and shape the journey ahead together,” commented Daniel Lai, marketing director of iCaur Malaysia.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

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• Use LLM’s TuJu highway navigation app during Hari Raya to avoid road congestion – Ahmad Maslan

  In Local News / by Anthony Lim / 16 March 2026 12:20 pm

  

  Traffic volume on highways across the country is set to surge for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday season, and if you’re looking to avoid the expected congestion as best possible, try using the TuJu highway navigation app.

  The suggestion comes from deputy works minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He encouraged motorists to use the app, developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), as a reference before starting a journey as it provides various highway-related information. He said TuJu is integrated with 33 CCTV cameras owned by LLM, allowing users to access real-time highway conditions, as Bernama reports.

  “The application is equipped with smart navigation features, such as accurate navigation, real-time toll and traffic information, rest and service area facilities, live CCTV camera access and emergency assistance,” he said. All this, he said, will enable motorists to plan their travel time accordingly to avoid being stuck for hours before reaching their destination.

  

  “This application will greatly facilitate highway users, as they can plan when to leave home and make the necessary travel arrangements,” he said. Incidentally, while LLM says to use TuJu to plan travel times, PLUS has told motorists to use the MyPLUS-TTA via its own PLUS app. There is of course the de facto standards, Google Maps or Waze, which work fine.

  The mobile app was launched last November. Developed by LLM, together with its partner Prosignal Consortium, TuJu claims several unique, including access to live traffic reports (via Facebook) from LLM’s traffic management centre (TMC) and the display of accurate toll charge calculation, in addition to the usual ETA.

  The name is said to be a portmanteau of “two” (referring to two-way information between LLM and the end user) and “jarak” or “julat” (distance/range). TuJu is available for iPhone and Android phones via the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. However, users should note that it’s not available on AACP.

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• JPJ identifies over 15 million vehicles with road tax expired for over five years, majority being motorcycles

  In Local News / by Gerard Lye / 16 March 2026 11:56 am

  

  The road transport department (JPJ) has identified over 15 million vehicles nationwide that have not had their road tax renewed for over five years, reports Berita Harian. This represents around 37% of the 41 million vehicles currently registered in the department’s database as of December last year, with a significant portion believed to be abandoned or end-of-life vehicles.

  According to transport ministry land division secretary Datuk Mohamed Irwan Mansor, motorcyles made up the majority of vehicles with expired road tax at 9.76 million. This is followed by 4.07 million private cars, while the remaining two million is made up of buses, taxis, rental cars and goods vehicles.

  “Based on these figures, we are concerned that when a vehicle’s road tax is not renewed for over five years, it is at high risk of being abandoned. For vehicles that are no longer in use, they should be disposed of through proper channels so they can be officially removed from the JPJ registry,” he said.

  The data shows that there are currently 15.61 million active cars with valid road tax, which brings the total number of cars in the country, including inactive ones, to 19.69 million,. Meanwhile, motorcycle registrations are at 18.9 million, although 9.2 million are currently deemed inactive on the road.

  

  To address the issue of ageing and abandoned vehicles, the transport ministry launched a matching grant programme for the replacement of old vehicles in January this year. Under the RM10 million initiative, eligible recipients with vehicles aged 20 years or older can receive a grant of up to RM2,000, which will then be matched by participating local vehicle manufacturers, when switching up to a newer vehicle.

  Currently, the programme applies to all Proton models, as well as the Perodua Aruz and Ativa. Even if a vehicle is no longer roadworthy, it remains eligible for the grant provided the engine and chassis numbers are intact and the owner is an immediate family member of the applicant. To date, nearly 3,000 owners of old vehicles have participated in the matching grant programme, with RM4.43 million in grants already disbursed.

  Irwan also said the ministry will use more high tech methods for road tax enforcement, with the JPJ expected to implement an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system to detect vehicles with expired road tax. “This is a preliminary step to track down over 2,000 abandoned cars. We hope this programme raises awareness about the importance of proper vehicle disposal,” he added.

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• 2026 Porsche Macan petrol on sale in Malaysia – 2.0L turbo 4-cyl, 265 PS/400 Nm, limited stock; RM469,000

  In Cars, Local News, Porsche / by Mick Chan / 16 March 2026 11:45 am

  

  The petrol-powered variant of the Porsche Macan range is now back in the Porsche Malaysia line-up thanks to strong demand in this market, and so a limited batch of the 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol SUV is now available to purchase at the price of RM469,000.

  The latest-generation Macan is exclusively battery-electric, therefore this return of petrol power to the Macan nameplate in Malaysia is of the previous generation, with its most recent iteration, the second facelift having arrived in Malaysia in 2022.

  Under the bonnet of the 2026 Macan is a 2.0 litre, turbocharged inline-four cylinder petrol engine that outputs 265 PS and 400 Nm, driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. The 0-100 km/h run is elapsed in 6.2 seconds, and top speed is 232 km/h.

  

  

  For Malaysia, specifications of the 2026 Macan petrol variant includes Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) LED headlamps, Sport Design exterior mirrors, while interior equipment is comprised of a 10.9-inch full-HD touchscreen display for the Porsche Communication Management infotainment setup.

  In terms of rolling stock, the 2026 Macan gets wheels measuring 19 inches in diameter onwards. The driver gets the GT sport multifunction steering wheel, as found in the latest 911 and other current Porsche models.

  Added to these is the Premium package, which are additional standard options for Malaysia. This is comprised of steel spring suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) variable damping, Power Steering Plus, and the Sport Chrono package with mode switch.

  

  Also on are Comfort Access, automatically-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, Park Assist with reverse camera and Surround View, comfort seats with 14-way electric adjustment and memory function, mechanical roll-up blinds for the rear side windows, and Apple CarPlay with Siri voice recognition. Customers may schedule an appointment for more on options on the specifications list.

  Priced at RM469,000, the petrol-powered 2026 Porsche Macan is sold by Porsche Malaysia with a two-year warranty and two-year complimentary maintenance package.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

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• 2026 Wmoto NX150S scooter in Malaysia, RM6,688

  In Bikes, Local Bike News, WMoto / by Mohan K Ramanujam / 16 March 2026 11:18 am

  

  More competition in Malaysia’s scooter market with the entry of the 2026 WMoto NX150S, priced at RM6,688. Pricing does not include road tax, insurance or registration and there are three colour options – Grind Green, Glacier Green and Lava Brown.

  The NX150S gets a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine displacing 149.6 cc and fed by EFI. Power goes to the rear wheel via CVT transmission and belt drive, with the engine producing 15.8 hp at 8.500 rpm and 14.7 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm.

  Despite its budget friendly price, the NCX150S comes loaded with features such as LED lighting throughout, smart key system, two USB charging sockets and LCD digital display. In terms of safety aids, the NX150S is fitted with two-channel ABS as well as traction control.

  

  Rolling on 13-inch alloy rims fitted with 130/70 tyres front and rear, the NX150S comes with single hydraulic disc brakes. Suspension is doe with telescopic forks in front and twin preload-adjustable shock absorbers at the back.

  For riding convenience, a 19-litre storage compartment is found under the seat, with two storage compartments found inside the front cowl, while a luggage rack is ready to be fitted with a top box and mounting plate. With 15-litres of fuel in the tak, the NX150S tips the scales at 132 kg, while seat height is set at 790 mm.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

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• Malaysia-US reciprocal trade agreement void – Johari

  In Local News / by Jonathan James Tan / 16 March 2026 11:14 am

  

  Remember the reciprocal trade agreement (ART) Malaysia signed with the US in October? According to the New Straits Times, Malaysian investment, trade and industry minister Johari Ghani has revealed that said ART is now null and void after a US Supreme Court ruling overturned most of US president Donald Trump’s broad tariffs.

  “It is not on hold. It’s null and void. The US Supreme Court has ruled that if you want to impose tariffs, you must have reasons. If they claim it is due to a trade surplus, they must specify the industry involved. They cannot impose tariffs on a blanket basis,” he said.

  Johari added that the US is now relying on Section 122 of its Trade Act of 1974 to impose temporary five-month tariffs of up to 10% on countries found to be violating international trade rules.

  The ART was supposed to impose a 19% rate on Malaysian goods, although certain products would be tariff-free under aligned partner-trade lists. Malaysia currently is subject to a global tariff of 10%. Trump has since said he will impose global tariffs of 15% to replace the tariffs scrapped by the court, after he initially announced a 10% levy on all goods entering the US.

  Free Malaysia Today reports that the US is now looking into the acts, policies and practices of 15 trade partners, Malaysia and the European Union included, under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, to investigate if there are violations of international trade rules. This could be used to determine new tariffs.

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• From March 18, motorists blacklisted for unpaid AWAS fines can pay and clear their status via the MyJPJ app

  In Local News / by Anthony Lim / 16 March 2026 10:41 am

  

  Motorists that have been blacklisted due to unpaid Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) fines will be able to deactivate their status following payment of these via the MyJPJ application starting from March 18.

  According to road transport department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, this is to allow motorists to settle their summonses and renew their motor vehicle licences (LKM) without having to visit the JPJ counter, as Bernama reports.

  “However, no discounts are given for old summonses, except for AWAS summonses received this year, which offers discounts of RM150, RM200 and RM300 depending on the payment period,” he said during an event last week.

  

  He added that that payment of traffic fines via MyJPJ does not involve the Notice of Summons (114) and summonses that cannot be compounded, because those cases need to be resolved in court. Non-compoundable traffic offences include driving without insurance or a licence, or displaying a fake road tax.

  He said that individuals who are issued a ‘notice to attend; still need to go to the relevant JPJ office to complete the investigation into the traffic offence committed. “If they do not attend, their status will be blacklisted and they will still need to come to JPJ to resolve it,” he said.

  Last October, the transport ministry indicated that from January 1 this year, rates for traffic summonses will be uniform across agencies, and there will no longer be periodic discount campaigns, with early payment of summonses being rewarded while late payments will incur the full amount.

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• Hire Purchase (Amendment) Act 2026 comes into force on June 1 – no more flat rates and Rule of 78 method

  In Local News / by Gerard Lye / 16 March 2026 10:13 am

  

  The Hire Purchase (Amendment) Act 2026 will come in force on June 1 this year, four months after it was gazetted on January 30, 2026. This was revealed by the ministry of domestic trade and costs of living (KPDN), with amended Act serving to strengthen consumer credit fairness as well as modernise the hire purchase framework in Malaysia.

  Key reforms that are part of the amended Act include abolishing the use of flat interest rates and Rule of 78 method, with the latter front-loading interest in the early period of the loan. Put simply, the Rule of 78 method isn’t favourable to those who wish to settle their loan early because most of your monthly instalment amount is directed to pay off the interest in the early period of the loan, leaving a good portion of the principal amount outstanding – we’ve covered this topic before.

  In place of the flat interest rate is something called effective interest rate (EIR), which better reflects the true cost of borrowing by taking into account additional fees, charges as well as the amortisation schedule. To put simply, EIR helps you to better compare various loan offers on an apple-to-apple basis – lower EIR, less interest.

  Complementing the EIR is the use of a reducing balance method to calculate interest/profit, whereby the amount of interest payable will be calculated based on the outstanding principal, kind of like with housing loans.

  

  As such, it is more advantageous for borrowers who plan to settle their loans early, as there will no longer be anymore front-loading of interest in the early period of the loan like with the Rule of 78 – here’s an example. According to Bank Negara Malaysia, his switch is consistent with global practices that has abolished the Rule of 78, such as in Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom.

  With EIR better reflecting the true cost of borrowing, it will also be easier for you to shop for a hire purchase loan. Meanwhile, the end of the Rule of 78 and adoption of the reducing balance method means you won’t be “punished” as severely for wanting to settle your hire purchase loan early.

  In addition to protecting consumers, the amended Act also allows for better convenience, as you will be able to opt to provide electronic or digital signatures and to send/receive hire purchase agreements and related documents electronically. This speeds up the application process because you no longer need to be physically present at a bank to deal with hire purchase-related documents.

  Originally, hire purchase providers were given a grace period of 18 months from the date the amended Act is gazetted to implement the above-mentioned measures. However, KPDN said several parties, including parliament members, urged for the amended Act to be enforced as soon as possible.

  Following negotiations, it was decided that the amended Act would come into effect on June 1, 2026. However, a transition period may be given to hire purchase providers that require time to adjust their systems, documentation and processes to meet the new requirements. Those that are already ready can issue new hire purchase agreements following the amended Act from said date.

  As announced by the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM), the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) and the Association of Development Finance Institutions of Malaysia (ADFIM) in December last year, banking institutions will offer goodwill discounts from the date the amended Act comes into effect.

  These discounts are provided to borrowers that want to settle their hire purchase agreements under the old method – flat interest rate and Rule of 78 – to ensure their outstanding balance is comparable to customers entering new agreements based on the new method.

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• Transport ministry open to motorcycle scrappage scheme, but only with local industry support – Loke

  In Bikes, Local News / by Mick Chan / 16 March 2026 9:41 am

  

  The ministry of transport is willing to offer incentives for the disposal of old motorcycles, however the initiative can only proceed with cooperation by local motorcycle manufacturers, reported Bernama.

  This would require active participation from the motorcycle industry, similar to the grant programme to scrap old vehicles where old vehicle disposal initiatives by local carmakers Proton and Perodua would be joined by a matching grant from the government, said transport minister Anthony Loke.

  “So far, there is no incentive for the disposal of old motorcycles. I recently received a letter from the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Association, but manufacturers themselves need to take the initiative. We introduced programmes for old cars because there were initiatives from manufacturers,” Loke said.

  “If manufacturers come forward, the condition is that the vehicles must be locally assembled (CKD); imported vehicles will not be included. Assistance is only given to local manufacturing companies,” the transport minister said, adding that the ministry is open to discussions if local manufacturers show interest.

  The statement by Loke was in response to calls for a motorcycle disposal programme similar to that of the government’s offer of a matching grant of up to RM4,000 for the scrapping of cars over 20 years old, towards their replacement with newer, safer and more energy-efficient vehicles from Malaysia’s national carmakers.

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