05/04/2026

theSunday Special XV ON SUNDAY APR 5, 2026

Driving schools on rooftops, really?

IF you think that the our driving schools haven’t changed in years, well think again, because according to reports, the road transport depart ment (JPJ) is now allowing driving schools to be set up on the rooftops of buildings. You read that right, according to JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramly, the department has introduced new guidelines for the establishment of driving schools to be built in warehouses, commercial land and even on the rooftops of multi-sto rey buildings. It must be said though that this is only limited to Class D and B vehicles, so it is only for cars and motorcycles but allowing driving schools on roof tops is questionable.

can degrade over time. This is impor tant for motorcyclists to know and should be thought in classrooms. New drivers should be thought how to change a flat tyre. They should also be urged to wear reflec tive vests if the car breaks down on a highway. New drivers seem to have lost the ability to merge onto a highway with fast moving traffic. Using a round about properly seems to be an art form that is quickly dissipating. I understand the need to set up new driving schools, but not on roof tops please. Let’s also introduce new modules to teach new drivers and rid ers while we are at it. That is a more pressing matter that can actually save lives on our roads.

use of commercial areas but not rooftops. For me, that is as risky as allowing an unli censed individual to drive on a federal highway. I urge the top guns at JPJ to look are more pressing matters like the standard of our driving and riding. New motorcyclists need to be thought things like the value of wearing proper

Instructors will be training individuals who have never driven or rode a motorcycle. Allowing them to drive on a rooftop is dangerous.

According to calculations, a car only needs to be trav elling at 38kph to be able to breakthrough a wall built with regular nine-inch bricks. A motorcycle on the other hand does not need to be travelling very fast for the rider to be flipped over the wall. Of course, JPJ says that proper safety standards will have to be met. I have no doubt that everything will be done to keep everyone involved safe. But why rooftops? Have we run out of land already? I can understand the

WRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLON

gear, including reflective material. They also need to understand that helmets have an expiry date and should be replaced every three to five years. Sweat, UV exposure and even hair gels can wreak havoc to a helmet’s shell and adhesives. The shell itself

hits speed bump Chinese automaker’s CKD plans in limbo amidst Miti conditions

QUESTIONS are now being raised over BYD’s previously announced plans to establish a local assembly (CKD) plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak, with reports indicating that the project may have stalled. According to reports citing The Edge , the Chinese automaker is said to be reassessing its investment after failing to reach an agreement with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) on key conditions tied to the pro ject. The plant, which was previously expected to begin production in the sec ond half of 2026, was intended to be fully funded by BYD. However, negotia tions appear to have hit a roadblock over policy requirements imposed on the proposed facility. Among the reported condi

over the timeline of BYD’s localisation strategy in Malaysia, particularly as the government tightens policies surround ing fully imported (CBU) electric vehi cles. A minimum price threshold of RM250,000 has been introduced for CBU EVs, encouraging carmakers to consider local assembly as a more viable route. At present, it remains unclear whether BYD will revise its proposal, renegotiate terms, or delay its CKD plans altogether.

sary to protect Malaysia’s existing auto motive ecosystem, which supports an estimated 700,000 jobs. He pointed out that national carmak ers Proton and Perodua both maintain around 50% local content in their vehi cles and collectively account for a sig nificant portion of annual vehicle sales in the country. The development raises questions

tions are a requirement for up to 80% of vehicles produced at the Tanjung Malim plant to be exported, while the remain ing 20% allocated for the domestic mar ket must consist of models priced above RM200,000. These terms were confirmed by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani, who said the conditions could not be agreed upon by both parties. The minister added that such meas ures are neces

The outcome could also have implications for other Chinese brands such as Zeekr and

XPeng, which are understood to be exploring local assembly initiatives.