
First two ETS trains for Johor line undergoing tests
Transport minister Loke Siew Fook with one of two ETS3 trains that have been assembled at the plant in Batu Gajah today. (Facebook pic)
IPOH : The first two sets of ETS3 trains for the southern line to JB Sentral have been assembled and are undergoing technical tests, says transport minister Loke Siew Fook.
'If all the tests proceed smoothly, the trains are expected to begin operations by August,' he said.
'The remaining eight train sets are being assembled in stages at the plant in Batu Gajah. All 10 sets are expected to be completed and fully operational by early next year to enhance the country's rail service capacity,' he said after visiting the KTM depot in Batu Gajah.
The trains are being assembled at the plant of the supplier, China Railway and Rolling Stock Corporation. Loke said more than 85% of the workers were Malaysians, reflecting strong potential for the transfer of knowledge and expertise to local talent.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Motorcycling-Unstoppable Marc Marquez wins Aragon Grand Prix to complete perfect weekend
MotoGP - Aragon Grand Prix - Ciudad del Motor de Aragon, Alcaniz, Spain - June 8, 2025 Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez celebrates on the podium after winning the MotoGP race with second placed BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Alex Marquez REUTERS/Pablo Morano ALCANIZ, Spain (Reuters) -Marc Marquez proved once again that he was the master of the circuit at MotorLand as the Ducati rider won the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to extend his lead in the championship on Sunday. Marquez's brother Alex finished second for Gresini Racing while Marc's teammate Francesco Bagnaia came third as Ducati bikes swept the podium. Marc had completed the perfect weekend last year to win his first race in 1,043 days at the same circuit and he repeated his feat as the polesitter and sprint winner claimed a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the track. Such was Marc's dominance this weekend that he became the first rider in 10 years to lead every session -- including warmups, practice and qualifying -- since he did it himself at the German Grand Prix in 2015. "It was an amazing weekend. Leading all the practices, full focus, just full concentration," said Marquez, who now leads Alex by 32 points in the championship. "As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance. "And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top." The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels. Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock. PERFECT LAUNCH Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season on Saturday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into turn one. Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on. Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him. The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane. But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium. Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc. (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)


The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
Proton e.MAS 7 becomes Malaysia's fastest-selling EV, 3,632 units sold as at May 31
PETALING JAYA: As the Proton brand marks its first anniversary, Proton Holdings Bhd subsidiary Pro-Net reported that 7 continues to be the No. 1 electric vehicle (EV) in Malaysia, with 3,632 units sold as at May 31 – comprising 3,399 units locally and 233 exported. Achieving this milestone within just five months since deliveries began in January, the 7 has come Malaysia's fastest-selling EV. This achievement comes just one year after the launch of the Proton brand. Unveiled in June 12, 2024, the brand introduced its flagship model, the 7, on Dec 16, 2024, which has since emerged as a frontrunner in Malaysia's fast-evolving EV segment. Despite pricing pressures across the EV market, the 7 continues to perform strongly, signalling a clear reflection of the trust Malaysians place in the Proton brand and its commitment to quality. 'This strong show of support from Malaysians is incredibly encouraging. It validates our strategy, strengthens belief in the Proton brand, and reaffirms the value of investing in home-grown innovation,' said Pro-Net CEO Zhang Qiang. 'The 7's success is a strong indicator of where the market is heading and we're proud to be leading that charge.' More than just selling cars, Pro-Net is also actively expanding the ecosystem that removes barriers to everyday EV adoption and a better ownership experience. In just one year, Proton has included more than 2,500 public charging points in the Integrated Live Charging Map inside the 7 and in the app, offering a coverage of over 90% nationwide. To support EV customers nationwide, 44 Proton dealerships have been appointed, with 32 already operational. The brand has also expanded its after-sales footprint with six more 3S centres opening soon, adding to the 24 3S centres that have been servicing customers. 'We are deeply grateful to all Malaysians who have supported Proton from the very beginning,' said Zhang. 'Your enthusiasm, trust, and belief in our vision have made this journey possible. As we look ahead, we remain committed to making electric mobility more accessible, more reliable, and more Malaysian than ever. The future is electric, and it's proudly ours to build together.' As part of the Proton First Anniversary celebration, the Peace of Mind Campaign offers existing owners a complimentary 32-point vehicle inspection, covering key areas such as brake pads, battery, electronic systems, lighting, tires, wipers and air conditioning. The campaign also includes a free software inspection. Thie initiative runs from June 1, to July 1.


Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Switching to solar one of the best decisions
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 Text Size: It's time for more Malaysians to join this green revolution and experience the truly rewarding benefits. Beyond the significant financial benefits, I am proud to be a responsible Malaysian citizen, actively supporting the government's goals of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a 70pc renewable energy mix by 2030. Every kilowatt-hour generated from my rooftop contributes to a greener, more sustainable future for our nation. Advertisement For any residential homeowner contemplating the switch, my advice is simple: do not hesitate. You will not regret it. I recently had 14 solar panels installed, boasting an 8.68kWh capacity. In just two weeks, I have already generated close to 500kWh! As my average monthly electricity bill hovers around RM500, I am highly confident of reaching a breakeven point within three to four years on my initial investment of RM24,000. This calculation is further sweetened by a generous RM4,000 rebate from the Solar For Rakyat Incentive Scheme (Solaris), making the financial case even more compelling. One of the most empowering aspects of my solar system is the accompanying real-time monitoring app. This allows me to track my daily yield, see exactly how much energy my panels are generating, and even view the precise environmental impact. Advertisement In just two weeks, I've already contributed to a 490kg CO2 reduction, saved 195kg of standard coal, and made a contribution of 0.27 equivalent planting. These tangible figures truly bring home the positive difference each solar homeowner can make. Solar energy, once perceived as a luxury, is now a practical and affordable upgrade for landed homeowners. The improved access, lower entry costs and supportive government initiatives like the Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme have truly democratised solar power. The NEM 3.0 scheme, particularly NEM Rakyat, is a game changer. Any excess electricity my solar panels generate is exported to the grid, earning me credits that effectively offset my usage. It's a brilliant mechanism that allows us to become both producers and consumers of clean energy. I was also pleased to read about the government's foresight in increasing the domestic quota for the NEM Rakyat programme to 600MW, a testament to the overwhelming public interest. This commitment, reaffirmed by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, underscores Malaysia's dedication to expanding rooftop solar initiatives as a key pillar in achieving our national energy transition aspirations. Let's not forget a key advantage we have in Malaysia: we are blessed with sunshine all year round! So, for those still on the fence, I encourage you to get a professional assessment of your roof's solar potential. Compare offers from certified solar panel providers and thoroughly understand the NEM application process, and the incentives you qualify for. The resources available through the Energy Commission and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda) websites are invaluable. Switching to solar power has been one of the best decisions I've made for my home and for our planet. It's time for more Malaysians to join this green revolution and experience the truly rewarding benefits. CYS The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]