Scania Crowns Top Bus and Truck Drivers for 2011
Official Press Release from Scania Malaysia
Malaysians emerged champions in Scania Driver Competitions (Malaysia/Singapore) finals
SHAH ALAM, 28 March 2011 – Defending Champion Ghazali Bin Hasan from Sani Express Sdn Bhd was crowned Top Bus driver in Scania Driver Competitions (Malaysia/Singapore) 2011 finals at Scania’s headquarters in Bukit Jelutong yesterday. Ghazali defended his championship title which he held since 2007, by beating off a strong field of contenders from Malaysia and Singapore.
Meanwhile, TNT Express Malaysia demonstrated its strength in driver training when its contestant Mohd Hisham Bin Yusof took top honours to emerge as Top Truck driver in yesterday’s regional competition. TNT Express, the developers of the Asia Road Network, also recently tasted success in Scania Driver Competition (Thailand) when Khun Somphet Jan-Im scooped the ‘Best Driver’ award in the truck category. Both winning truck drivers are part of TNT’s leading Asia Road Network team.
The runners-up for the bus category were Mohamad Mydin bin Yahaya from Rapid Penang and Bambang Surya Wijaya from WTS Travel & Tour. For the truck category, Abdul Rasri Bin Sakka from LTS Total Logistics Solutions and Roslan bin Md Ali from Taipanco took the second and third spot, respectively.
From Left-Right: Truck Drivers: Roslan bin Md Ali, Second Runner-up, Abdul Rasri bin Sakka, First Runner-up, Mohd Hisham b Yusof, Champion, James Armstrong, Managing Director of Scania (Malaysia), Sim Say Kiong, Deputy Director General of JKJR Malaysia, Idros bin Puteh, General Manager of Scania (Malaysia), Bus Drivers: Bambang Surya Wijaya, Second Runner-up, Mohamad Mydin bin Yahaya, First Runner-up, and Ghazali Bin Hasan, Champion.
A total of RM90,000 worth of cash and vouchers were offered during the competition. The champion from the Truck and Bus categories took home RM10,000 cash each, while the fleet owner of the winning driver were presented with Scania workshop vouchers worth RM15,000.
“I am impressed by the impeccable driving skills and professionalism displayed by both bus and truck drivers throughout the competition. The Scania Driver Competition 2011 also aims to help drivers achieve maximum economy by focusing on their driving habits and styles,” said James Armstrong, Managing Director for Scania (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
With today’s rising fuel costs and ongoing environmental concerns, he pointed out that skilled drivers can help deliver energy efficient transport, reduce emissions and contribute towards safer roads.
“The difference in fuel economy between the driver with the most efficient driving style, and that with the least efficient was 7.41 litres per 100 kilometers. To put this in perspective, a company with a fleet size of 100 trucks running around 100,000 kilometers a year for each truck stand to save more than RM1.33 million a year,” said Armstrong.
“We are delighted with our drivers’ stellar performance at the Scania Drivers Competition, both in Malaysia and Thailand,” stated David Stenberg, General Manager of TNT’s Asia Road Network, on hearing news of Mr Hisham’s win in Malaysia. “We place great emphasis on training drivers about the importance of road safety and we are proud that the efficiency and professionalism of our team have been showcased yet again.”
“Sani Express would like to congratulate Scania Malaysia for having successfully organized Scania Driver Competitions 2011. Such prestigious event that serves to increase professionalism and improve driver skills for both buses and trucks in Malaysia should be lauded by the transportation industry and public at large. We are proud to be part of this competition and look forward to participate in the next Scania Driver Competition,” said Dato’ Wan Mohamad Sani, Managing Director of Sani United Sdn Bhd, commenting on Mr Ghazali’s win.
Defending Champion Ghazali Bin Hasan from Sani Express winning the top bus driver title again.
A total of 300 drivers participated in this year’s competition, completing formal applications and undergoing the first rounds of theory tests. From these, the 12 finalists from both countries were selected and given the chance to display their skills, maturity, road safety competence and fuel economical driving techniques in a series of theoretical and rigorous practical tests.
The practical tests included eight maneuvering challenges namely Bull’s Eye, Tight Spot, Slalom, L-reverse, The Plank, Side Parking, The Hole, and Knock The King. Each test relied heavily on the precision and skill of the driver to maneuver his vehicle as accurately as possible. The other practical test was a road test, where the drivers were tested on good check-before-driving routines, safe and defensive driving on the road; and fuel economy driving.
The Scania Driver Competitions started as the Young European Truck Driver (YETD) competitions in 2003, and is today the world’s largest driver competition. In 2010 and 2011, the competitions were held in 30 countries throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa.
Supported by Malaysia’s Road Safety Department (JKJR), Scania Driver Competition 2011 is one of the few road safety initiatives undertaken jointly by the JKJR and Scania.
Pictures: Official Scania release
