Haree Murughan Muniandy will be representing Malaysia at the Volvo Trucks Driver Challenge Global Finals in Gothenburg Sweden next month.
THE winner of Volvo Trucks’ annual Fuelwatch Challenge for 2018 has finally been announced, with Haree Murughan A/L Muniandy from ASTRO Productions Sdn Bhd earning the title for the first time.
The results were announced during a celebratory dinner at Volvo Trucks’ Port Klang dealer,
where 9 of the best truck drivers from Malaysia had gathered to await the results of the competition.
Following in second place was Hidayu Sabaran from Nittsu Transport Service (M) Sdn Bhd, and at third place was Mohd Harun Bin Mohd Yusop from Fima Freight Forwarders Sdn Bhd.
The grand prize winner of the Malaysian Fuelwatch Challenge received a RM 5,000 Bank Simpanan Nasional voucher and a trophy commemorating his victory. He will also be representing Malaysia in the Volvo Trucks Driver Challenge Global Final in Gothenburg, Sweden later this year.
“We would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Haree on winning this year’s Fuelwatch challenge. He has succeeded in embodying the core purpose of the Fuelwatch Challenge, which is intended to promote safe and fuel-efficient driving among truck drivers,” said Mitchell Peden, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Malaysia.
Volvo Trucks’ annual Fuelwatch Challenge is aimed at promoting maximum fuel efficiency and proper driving skills among truck drivers in Malaysia, through a unique and challenging competitive platform.
The competition is open to drivers across Malaysia with two separate categories, the closed category and the open category.
Commenting on his victory, Haree said “I am overjoyed to have won the Fuelwatch Challenge this year. As a professional truck driver, I have always admired the effort Volvo Trucks has put into educating drivers on the importance of fuel efficiency and safety in all aspects of driving.
After participating in the Fuelwatch Challenge Finals for the third time, the challenge has not only allowed me to further develop my skills and knowledge, but it also taught me to never give up until I have achieved my goal.”
The winner of the Fuelwatch Challenge is determined by the best combination of Fuel efficiency (measured using Volvo Trucks’ telematics system: Dynafleet 1 ), productivity and safety whilst also demonstrating that they have the ability to handle the different trucks.
This year also marks the first time since the inception of the Fuelwatch Challenge in Malaysia, where a female truck driver (Hidayu) made it into top 3. Hidayu said, “I am truly happy to have exceeded my own expectations in this challenge.
I have received a lot of support from my friends and family, and I hope my achievement will be an encouragement for all the women in Malaysia who want to join the trucking industry.”
Last year’s challenge saw the record being set, when Junaidah Ibrahim made it into the finals, inspiring female participation in this year’s challenge and resulting in 8 female truck drivers taking part in the qualifying stages this year.
“This is indeed a proud moment for female truck drivers in Malaysia. Hidayu and Kamila Mohamad Ribi both demonstrate to us that the skill required to drive a truck efficiently and safely is not gender limited.
It is clear that female truck drivers have the same ability as their male counterparts to drive at a high skill level on a competitive stage,” said Peden.
“We hope that these talented women will serve as examples of how gender is a non-issue when it comes to driving and I hope that in the future, we will see more talented women participating and potentially winning the Fuelwatch Challenge here in Malaysia.”
1,550 drivers had participated in the qualifications held nationwide between June and July earlier this year, with only the top 9 finalists gathered at Shah Alam for the final round of competition.
Also present during the dinner of the Fuelwatch Challenge prize giving ceremony was Dato’ Nazari Akhbar, Executive Director of Taipanco Sdn Bhd, who received 7 units of Volvo FH13 trucks in a vehicle handover ceremony. Till date, Taipanco has received 17 units of trucks from Volvo and this handover marks the first time that the company is adding the FH model into their fleet.
