Not safe on N-S Highway, even in convoy By Carolyn Quek & Kimberly Spykerman (c) Straits Times SingaporeTHIS is the car that was wrecked in a daring robbery along the North-South highway in Malaysia on Friday. The Ferrari 430 Spyder was bought only 10 months ago and cost the owner about $900,000. It was on its way to meet a convoy of about 20 Ferraris and Maseratis, which had set out earlier that morning for Genting Highlands. But the lone Ferrari found itself pursued by a Malaysia-registered Mercededes-Benz just before Sungei Besi, the exit for Kuala Lumpur. The Ferrari driver, a businessman who was accompanied by his wife, tried to shake off the pair in the C-Class Merc - unaware that the same duo had made three attempts to rob members of the convoy earlier. In the end, he was undone by the weather. His metallic-grey car spun out of control and crashed into a railing and another car. The thugs used a crowbar to smash the vehicle, before dragging the owner out to rain punches on him. While his wife fled to get help, four other thugs joined in the attack, before running off with the man's two watches. Blood on his face, the victim flagged down oncoming vehicles for help. As luck would have it, a Maserati, which had been part of the convoy he was trying to join, drove by. The driver, lawyer Krishna Ramachandra, had himself managed to shake off that same Mercedes twice earlier. Members of the convoy, from the Singapore Ferrari Club, returned to Singapore yesterday evening. So too the Ferrari driver and his wife via another car driven by their chauffeur. The damaged Ferrari is being repaired at a workshop here. The robbery stunned motoring enthusiasts in car and motorbike clubs for whom convoy trips to Malaysia and beyond are becoming an increasingly common weekend past-time. BMW Motorcycle Club's committee member Matthew Chua said he was surprised that a convoy was targeted. 'In a group, it is highly unlikely they will attack you,' he said. Most representatives of motoring clubs said they were left well enough alone on the highway, especially if they maintained 'convoy discipline'. In most cases, there is always a designated leader as well as a 'sweeper' - usually the car that brings up the rear of the convoy. Vehicles are also equipped with long-range walkie-talkies to ensure that the members are able to maintain contact with each other throughout the drive. This is when they warn each other about slow or fast-moving vehicles and when a vehicle needs to make an unscheduled stop. In the case of the Ferrari, it was not hooked up to the communication system that the other cars in the convoy were on. Private fund equity manager Mok Weng Sun, 41, member and leader of the Porsche Club Singapore's racing team, said his club has formal rules on being part of a convoy. No car, for example, is allowed to overtake another and position has to always be maintained. When the club makes long trips in convoys of 30 to 40 Porsches, there are experienced drivers in the middle to hold the group together. While there have been no incidents of robbery or other crimes that he can recall, the club still makes sure it does not invite trouble. They try not to make too many stops or go into small towns off the highway. For toilet or meal breaks, they will keep to the bigger and more popular rest areas. Mr Mok said that while cars may occasionally try to get into a race with his Porsche, he ignores their challenges. 'The key is to not attract unneccesary attention and to stay out of trouble.' Mr Tony Goldman, 65, safety officer of the Harley Owners Group in Singapore, said: 'For motorcycles, we have to maintain a strict formation when we ride, and we also don't encourage overtaking.' Motorcyclists also either use blue-tooth walkie talkies attached to their helmets or stay in contact through mobile phones. All these safeguards are to ensure no member of the convoy gets left behind. Economic Development Board senior officer Justin Choo, 26, and his party of six found themselves lagging behind - and out of walkie-talkie range of - a convoy of seven cars heading up to Kuala Lumpur last December. They were in a rented Silver Toyota Wish cruising along the North-South Highway when they realised a black BMW tailgating and honking at them. 'I assumed that he was honking at us to get us to give way to him, but he didn't give us any time to react before he tried to cut in front of us,' he recalled. Several kilometres of zig-zagging later, the BMW cut in front of the Toyota and forced it to the side of the road. The driver got out and started hurling insults, claiming he had a parang in his car. Mr Choo said: 'He clearly had a chip on his shoulder because he kept insulting Singaporeans. We had to pacify him. We didn't even dare get out of the car. If not, things might have got out of hand.' The man got back into his car on the approach of a highway patrol vehicle. The fact that the Friday's convoy consisted of Ferraris and Maseratis - both flashy and expensive sports cars - might well have attracted attention. But the motor clubs say that it could happen to any car - luxury or not. Mr Melvin Goh, 52, managing director of Lamborghini Singapore, disagrees. 'It doesn't matter what car you're driving,' he said. 'The sheer fact that you're driving a Singapore car on a foreign road should make you more alert. And Singaporeans should drive more courteously. After all, it's the Malaysians' road - you have to give them leeway.' He alternates between driving his Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini to Malaysia once a week. As for Maserati owner Mr Krishna, Friday's scare is not going to stop him driving to Malaysia: 'This is certainly not going to deter me.' NST reporting: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/20080907091350/Article/index_html The Star reporting:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/7/nation/22262654&sec=nation
Not safe on N-S Highway, even in convoy
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535i
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I also noticed that some convoys tend to 'rule' the highway. Came across a group of Harley riders (SG plate) on the fast lane and they refuse to move over - and they are not even overtaking anyone ! :stupid: .. and some MY's superbikes as well.
I think it's more of an attitude problem. There is always - they other side of the story ...
Be careful out there ...
I think it's more of an attitude problem. There is always - they other side of the story ...
Be careful out there ...
Audrey93
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ouch.
robbery is happening each day and they're taking lives now as well..
inflations are going up sky high and yet salary remains the same.. people are pushed to the edge and are forced to rob.. especially these people are eyeing on big cars.. and probably.. out of jealousy too..
near my house, it happened, apparently someone was shot at McD.. it's a lady, shot at the neck, robbed, and I think she eventually died.. it's not even safe to hang out at McDs anymore..
robbery is happening each day and they're taking lives now as well..
inflations are going up sky high and yet salary remains the same.. people are pushed to the edge and are forced to rob.. especially these people are eyeing on big cars.. and probably.. out of jealousy too..
near my house, it happened, apparently someone was shot at McD.. it's a lady, shot at the neck, robbed, and I think she eventually died.. it's not even safe to hang out at McDs anymore..
E46Fanatic
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Looks like an E class Merc. WPU7699
Likely carjacked. I hope the cops find these fellas and gun them all down.
Singaporeans already think Malaysia is like some cowboy place. This doesn't help.
Likely carjacked. I hope the cops find these fellas and gun them all down.
Singaporeans already think Malaysia is like some cowboy place. This doesn't help.
shaifulo
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the AR folks, meanwhile have a different twist to the story...interesting
http://www.italiaauto.net/viewtopic.php?t=11338
http://www.italiaauto.net/viewtopic.php?t=11338
shaifulo
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535i;354648 said:
cut & paste....
The story actually goes like that....
A bunch of muthafraker driving in Felali....speed in the highway....zig-zag-zig-zag...then piss this KL 'taiko' who driving his Merc....then the 'taiko' said...if u accident later...i will sure come out and bang 'kau' u like hell....
So that time raining summore....so 'ngam' the Felali accident wor....what the 'taiko' waiting for....come out from his merc and bang 'kau' him lor...
And the Singapore newspaper try to said the different things....or maybe the Felali member try to cover up story...
535i
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ramsing;354658 said:harley also u cucuk ar....tsk tsk. dun bully all the rempits...hehe
120 kmh on the right lane - open road and not even overtaking ?? ... :stupid:
If u are infront of me doing 120 mph oso .. I will cucuk you ... make sure u got Ghee aaa .. :top:
535i
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shaifulo;354653 said:cut & paste....
The story actually goes like that....
A bunch of muthafraker driving in Felali....speed in the highway....zig-zag-zig-zag...then piss this KL 'taiko' who driving his Merc....then the 'taiko' said...if u accident later...i will sure come out and bang 'kau' u like hell....
So that time raining summore....so 'ngam' the Felali accident wor....what the 'taiko' waiting for....come out from his merc and bang 'kau' him lor...
And the Singapore newspaper try to said the different things....or maybe the Felali member try to cover up story...
Might be the truth ....
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the actual story might be different lar.:listen:..why did the merc driver wanna punch this sing driver for nothing...if they wanna think malaysia is cowboy town where else they can convoy?? maybe thailand, also have to pass bolehland:top:
mesti ada kerang di sebalik batu one!!
mesti ada kerang di sebalik batu one!!
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here comes the Malaysian version...Star Newspaper..
Abandoned: The Ferrari about to be towed away after it was involved in an accident at the 274th kilometre of the North-South Expressway near Nilai.
SEREMBAN: A Singaporean couple on their way to a hill resort for a holiday had a harrowing experience – not only were they involved in an accident but they were robbed as well.
The couple were travelling in a Ferrari on Friday when it collided with another vehicle at the 274th kilometre of the North-South Expressway, slightly damaging its front.
Within seconds of the accident, two men wearing baseball caps arrived in a Mercedes Benz and began shouting at the couple.
A witness said one of them was holding a piece of wood and hit the Ferrari with it before assaulting the driver who was already injured in the accident.
He said they fled after taking several items from the Ferrari.
The woman was not harmed as she ran off on seeing the two men approaching their car.
“Within a short while, a few more Ferraris arrived and took the couple away,” he said.
State police chief SAC I Datuk Osman Salleh confirmed the incident but added details were still sketchy.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the two men had impersonated Customs enforcement officers, he said.
It is learnt the couple had yet to lodge a police report as of yesterday evening.
Abandoned: The Ferrari about to be towed away after it was involved in an accident at the 274th kilometre of the North-South Expressway near Nilai.
SEREMBAN: A Singaporean couple on their way to a hill resort for a holiday had a harrowing experience – not only were they involved in an accident but they were robbed as well.
The couple were travelling in a Ferrari on Friday when it collided with another vehicle at the 274th kilometre of the North-South Expressway, slightly damaging its front.
Within seconds of the accident, two men wearing baseball caps arrived in a Mercedes Benz and began shouting at the couple.
A witness said one of them was holding a piece of wood and hit the Ferrari with it before assaulting the driver who was already injured in the accident.
He said they fled after taking several items from the Ferrari.
The woman was not harmed as she ran off on seeing the two men approaching their car.
“Within a short while, a few more Ferraris arrived and took the couple away,” he said.
State police chief SAC I Datuk Osman Salleh confirmed the incident but added details were still sketchy.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the two men had impersonated Customs enforcement officers, he said.
It is learnt the couple had yet to lodge a police report as of yesterday evening.
berserkdroid
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VKS;354682 said:
Abandoned: The Ferrari about to be towed away after it was involved in an accident at the 274th kilometre of the North-South Expressway near Nilai.
...collided with another vehicle at the 274th kilometre of the North-South Expressway, slightly damaging its front.
If that's "slightly damaged", I dread to think what a major damage would look like!
Mouse
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even if the above story is true, i still believe one should not rob or beat the others for showing off his powerfool felali, he can stop while watching the wreck and just clap clap clap and drive off, endshaifulo;354653 said:cut & paste....
The story actually goes like that....
A bunch of muthafraker driving in Felali....speed in the highway....zig-zag-zig-zag...then piss this KL 'taiko' who driving his Merc....then the 'taiko' said...if u accident later...i will sure come out and bang 'kau' u like hell....
So that time raining summore....so 'ngam' the Felali accident wor....what the 'taiko' waiting for....come out from his merc and bang 'kau' him lor...
And the Singapore newspaper try to said the different things....or maybe the Felali member try to cover up story...
Jules
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goes to show, no matter what car you drive - if u r an idiot, you will be an idiot behind any car.
( Dsiclaimer : "idiot" means an indifferent attitude, zero respect for car and conditions and no ability to handle the drive )
I do agree that robbing is not rite either, no matter what the circumstances was.
( Dsiclaimer : "idiot" means an indifferent attitude, zero respect for car and conditions and no ability to handle the drive )
I do agree that robbing is not rite either, no matter what the circumstances was.
VKS
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todays Star newspaper.....
Tuesday September 9, 2008
Negri police appeal for witnesses in Ferrari robbery
SEREMBAN: Police are appealing to people who saw a Singaporean couple in a Ferrari being robbed along the North-South Expressway near here last Friday to help in investigations.
State CID chief ACP Mohd Zaki Masroh said that since the incident happened in the afternoon, many motorists must have seen the incident.
“We need more leads as the robbers used fake registration plates,” he said.
The male driver of the Ferrari was also assaulted by the robbers.
The man and woman were on their way for a holiday to Genting Highlands when their car collided with a Hyundai about 1.30pm.
Within seconds of the accident, two men arrived in a Mercedes Benz and began shouting at the Singaporeans.
Both men, wearing baseball caps, allegedly introduced themselves as Customs officers.
One of the men, who was armed with a piece of wood, also hit the car several times while his friend searched the vehicle.
Mohd Zaki said the couple was robbed of a branded watch, a notebook and handphones all of which were estimated to be about RM150,000.
He said several of the couple’s friends arrived in other Ferraris shortly after and whisked them away.
“They lodged a report at the Genting High-lands police station the same night,” said Mohd Zaki.
He said the victim had claimed there were up to four men involved in the attack.
Police have classified the case under section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery.
Tuesday September 9, 2008
Negri police appeal for witnesses in Ferrari robbery
SEREMBAN: Police are appealing to people who saw a Singaporean couple in a Ferrari being robbed along the North-South Expressway near here last Friday to help in investigations.
State CID chief ACP Mohd Zaki Masroh said that since the incident happened in the afternoon, many motorists must have seen the incident.
“We need more leads as the robbers used fake registration plates,” he said.
The male driver of the Ferrari was also assaulted by the robbers.
The man and woman were on their way for a holiday to Genting Highlands when their car collided with a Hyundai about 1.30pm.
Within seconds of the accident, two men arrived in a Mercedes Benz and began shouting at the Singaporeans.
Both men, wearing baseball caps, allegedly introduced themselves as Customs officers.
One of the men, who was armed with a piece of wood, also hit the car several times while his friend searched the vehicle.
Mohd Zaki said the couple was robbed of a branded watch, a notebook and handphones all of which were estimated to be about RM150,000.
He said several of the couple’s friends arrived in other Ferraris shortly after and whisked them away.
“They lodged a report at the Genting High-lands police station the same night,” said Mohd Zaki.
He said the victim had claimed there were up to four men involved in the attack.
Police have classified the case under section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery.
