Proton outsells Perodua in H1 2011

Since the launch of the new Myvi, Perodua became the most popular brand in Malaysia. Therefore, news that Proton has finally overshadowed its main competitor was big news.

Although the number for June has yet to be finalised, Proton outsold Perodua in January and May and this was enough to push the Shah Alam carmaker's cumulative num­bers ahead of the rest.

Industry insiders say the implementa­tion of the new Hire Purchase Act (HPA) has hurt the sales of Per­odua more than Proton in June and this will further consolidate their leadership position in the sales chart.

Perodua reported sales shrinkage of between 25 and 30 per cent as a result of the new HPA while Proton says their June numbers fell between 10 and 20 per cent.

According to published MAA data, Proton sold 72,211 vehicles in the first five months while Perodua found 70,597 buyers for their models.

Proton's sales made up 28 per cent of the market total and by June, that figure was expected to rise to slightly above 30 per cent.

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Checks on used cars in revised Hire Purchase Act may be reduced

THE Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Ministry is willing to relax certain regulations under the newly-amended Hire Purchase Act 1967 but will not change anything pertaining to the safety and rights of consumers.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, told The Malay Mail yesterday it was looking into reducing the number of checks done on second-hand cars as mandated by the amendments.

"By reducing the checks, the cost of inspection will be cheaper but checks on the brakes and other safety systems will be maintained," said Ismail without specifying what checks will be dropped.

The decision to reduce the checks was made following a meeting between ministry officials and used car dealers associations recently. Under the amendments, effective June 15, all used vehicles for sale must undergo vehicle-inspection company Puspakom's 18-point inspection to ensure their road-worthiness.

Ismail denied the enforcement of the Act had hurt car sales. He said the amendment was aimed at protecting car buyers.

Asked whether he had met with other stakeholders in the automotive industry, Ismail said he had received a memorandum from Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (Peda). Peda and the Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia had called for the deferment of the amendments enforcement, claiming it would damage the industry.

On whether the ministry would consider the deferment, Ismail said the amendments were not meant to harm the automotive industry but to protect consumers.

He also poured cold water on car dealers' call for the reinstatement of booking fees and deposit for vehicle sales.

Under the new law, car buyers only need to pay a one per cent booking fee once a bank approves the loan and the other nine per cent downpayment upon the signing of all documentation. Previously, buyers had to fork out 10 per cent of the total cost of the car they intended to purchase even before their loans were approved. If the loans were not approved or if the dealers absconded, the deposit would be forfeited.

These old practices were now outlawed by the new amendments.

Ismail pointed out that the number of complaints against car dealers were among the highest at the Consumers Tribunal.

"In the past, car buyers had to sign blank documents. If they refused, they would be told they would not get the cars. But when they signed, they would end up waiting, sometimes up to six months to get the car," he said.

"Even when a car of a different colour is delivered other than the one a buyer wanted, the dealer will tell the buyer to take it or leave it. Buyers were unable to cancel the deal or they would forfeit most of their deposit. Now, with the amended act, car dealers can no longer do that."

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Lotus turnaround plan gets government endorsement

NORWICH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government is endorsing the turnaround plan for Group Lotus as it is do-able and achievable.

He was briefed on the plan during a visit to the Group Lotus headquarters here Saturday. Group Lotus, a wholly-owned subsidiary of national carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd, is expectd to produce new sports cars under the plan.

Najib said he had a small degree of sceptism in the beginning because of the large amount of investments needed.

"But I'm going home as a strong supporter of the turnaround plan.

"I'd like to categorically say that you have the endorsement of the Malaysian government and the Khazanah Holdings board as well to go ahead with this turnaround plan," he said at a reception held in conjunction with the visit.

Total investments required for the five-year turnaround plan Group Lotus is embarking on was 480 million pounds.

Najib said he detected a high level of professionalism, enthusiasm and morale among those involved.

The prime minister further said he had a sense that the business plan was do-able and achievable.

"It might be bold, ambitious or even audacious, but it's nothing like setting for yourself such targets so that you can strive and go the extra mile, and achieve what you think you may not be able to achieve otherwise," he said.

Najib toured the Lotus facility accompanied by, among others, Proton Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, Proton Holdings group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir and Group Lotus chief executive officer Dany Bahar.

Najib's trip to Norwich came a day after he ended his four-day official visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of British Prime Minister David Cameron.

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Ahmad Sarbani did not commit suicide and not murdered: Forensics

KUALA LUMPUR: The Coroner's Court was today told that Selangor Customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed did not commit suicide nor was he murdered.

DSP Sharul Othman Mansor, 49,from the Bukit Aman Forensic Laboratory, said Ahmad Sarbaini had fallen while trying to leave through a window at a pantry on the third floor of the Federal Territory Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building.

He believed Ahmad Sarbaini attempted to jump to the roof nearby, but fell and landed on the badminton court on the first floor of the building.

The second witness, who was today called back to testify in the inquest into Ahmad Sarbaini's death, said from the window at the pantry, the roof looked near, but the actual distance was 3.02 metres.

Sharul Othman also said from investigation conducted, he found the location of Ahmad Sarbaini's body parallel to the window and after examining the body, noticed white paint mark on the buckle of the belt and trousers worn by the victim.

"Check at the pantry also found a scratch of about four centimetres on the window wall near the sink, where the deceased was believed to have attempted to leave through," he said when questioned by lawyer Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who represented MACC.

Questioned by lawyer Awtar Singh, who represented Ahmad Sarbaini's family, why there was no white paint mark on the cover of the deceased's handphone, Sharul Othman said the handphone cover was on the right side of the deceased's waist.

He said there was no evidence of a third party involvement in Ahmad Sarbaini's death because there was no mark or sign of struggle found in the pantry.

"If a struggle had taken place, there would have been dirty marks on the shoe soles and fingerprints in the room and there was also no sign of injury found, except the blood from his mouth due to the fall.

"The shirt worn by the deceased was also not torn and the buttons were intact," he added.

Sharul Othman said the rooms of the MACC officers, including that of assistant superintendent Sheikh Niza Khairy Sheikh Mohamad, was also neat and in order, as well as the witness room and the pantry on the third floor.

Earlier, Dr Mohd Sukri Hassan, 49, from the Chemistry Department, said analysis conducted on Ahmad Sarbaini's blood specimen, urine and stomach content found they did not contain alcohol, drug and dangerous poison.

Meanwhile, Saiful Fazamil Mohd Ali, 36, also from the Chemistry Department, said he conducted checks on two white paint specimens and found them to be similar.

"They could come from the same source, but don't know where the paint was from," he added.

Ahmad Sarbani, who was attached to the Port Klang Customs office, was found dead at the badminton court on the first floor of the Federal Territory MACC building at Jalan Cochrane here on April 6 this year.

He was reported to have gone to the office voluntarily to meet with a MACC investigating officer concerning a probe into a corruption case, involving 62 Customs officers.

The hearing before Coroner Aizatul Akmal Maharani continues on Aug 2.

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Astro can't raise prices without MCMC okay

Thursday, June 16th, 2011 00:51:00


PETALING JAYA: Astro must seek the approval of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) before raising the price of its paid television channel services, said the Minister of Information Communication and Culture Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

"The payment for basic services charged by Astro to its subscribers will not be changed. For whatever addition, Astro must discuss first with the MCMC before deciding to increase its service charges," he said.

Rais said the ministry would discuss with Astro on the issue and the notice issued by Astro to its subscribers was considered invalid as it did not get permission from MCMC beforehand.

He said this to reporters after attending the Film Industry Appreciation Night 2011 organised by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), here tonight. Also present was Finas Director-General Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim.

Astro recently announced that it would carry out a price adjustment on the packages offered effective July 11 with the subscription based on the subscribers' package selection.

Some subscribers may be charged an increase of between RM1 and RM15 per month, while some would enjoy a reduction of between RM4 and RM14.95 per month.

Meanwhile, on the development of the national film industry, Rais said the ministry, through Finas, had allocated about RM15 million to boost the production of creative and animated films.

The minister also said that he would consider amending Section 6 of the Finas Act in a bid to boost the industry, but refused to comment further.

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Dont push EC, Mohamad Sabu told

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 22:15:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) today reminded PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu not to be too pushy over the eight demands of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said today the demands were baseless because the memorandum that should be handed over by Bersih chairman Datuk S.Ambiga to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was still with Ambiga.

"They (Bersih) said they wanted to give the memorandum to the Agong. So, I wonder why the PAS deputy president wants to challenge the EC as it was Bersih which wanted to submit the memorandum to the Agong.

"I don't know whether they have given the memorandum or not. I find it inappropriate for the PAS deputy president to now challenge the EC and that he should let the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to peruse the memorandum first," Abdul Aziz told Bernama when contacted today.

Mohamad Sabu at a press conference today was reported to have warned EC to fulfil the eight demands if they did not want to see another street rally.

The eight demands are cleaning up the electoral list, reforming the postal voting system, using indelible ink, allowing campaigning for at least 21 days, free and fair access to the media, strengthening the public institutions, and curbing corruption and dirty politics.

Abdul Aziz, however, said the last four demands were not under EC's jurisdiction.

He said EC had in the past renewed and amended the election laws and EC regulations.

"We welcome any suggestion from any quarters but it has to be concrete and sincere to improve the electoral system. It is not proper to negotiate but then you point a gun to someone's head. When you disagree, you demonstrate. This is uncivilised," he said.

Asked whether EC was still opening its door for negotiation with Bersih, Abdul Aziz said there were several aspects that needed to be looked at first.

"I have to see their sincerity and status, and I don't want to discuss with 'a gun pointed at my head'," he said.

He also questioned Bersih's decision not to pass the memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong when they had the chance to do so on July 5, four days before the illegal street rally in the federal capital.

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