MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT URGED TO CONDUCT STUDIES ON REGROOVED, USED TYRES          

   
    KUALA LIPIS (Malaysia), Sept 12 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government should
undertake a study of imported regrooved (second-hand) tyres and used tyres to
ascertain whether they contributed to an increase in road accidents in the
country.
    
    Some of the tyres, according to state housing, basic amenities and transport
committee chairman Mohd Soffi Abdul Razak, were used for just three or
four months during the winter season overseas.
    
    Thus, he said, they were dangerous as compared to retreaded tyres.
    
    Mohd Soffi advised motorists not to use imported regrooved tyres or used
tyres as they might explode easily due to their thinner layer.
    
    "The geometric conditions and hot temperature of the roads in our country
could lead to explosion (of the tyres) while speeding," he told reporters at the
Benta state constituency Aidilfitri open house here Sunday.
    
    Mohd Soffi, who is also Benta state assemblyman, cautioned traders not to
re-use such tyres to create more tread depth as it was "extremely dangerous".
    
    "Imported tyres which were used during the winter season overseas are not
suitable in our country as they only lasted for between three and four months in
certain countries, including Europe, Japan, United States and South Korea," he
said.
    
    -- BERNAMA