Ir. Ts. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim
Director-General,
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
Biography
Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim has been appointed as the Director General of Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Malaysia by the Minister of Transport Malaysia, The Honourable Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong effective from 5 May 2020. He has been appointed to his role in response to his strategic leadership, both in research and administration. Khairil is the Secretary General of ASEAN NCAP, one of ten NCAP’s in the world that encourage safer cars development in the market. In MIROS, he served as the Director of Vehicle Safety & Biomechanics Research Centre, one of the leaders in vehicle safety area that help researchers & engineers to realize their full potential in the safety system. To date, he has been supervising and developing multiple International and local research and development grants and projects in MIROS with a total worth RM 40 Million. On February 25th, 2010, MIROS has created the nation history by conducting Passenger Car Outdoor Crash Test, the first in Malaysia and South East ASEAN, this success story spread out to Europe, USA and others ASIAN countries. It was never in their mind, that country like Malaysia able to execute a crash test. Currently, the MIROS PC3 has conducted more than 100 crash tests since May 2012 and it is one of the official crash laboratories for ASEAN NCAP. In his junior years, Khairil left Okayama University of Science to devote his energies to several companies in Japan and Malaysia. It was his third job at Autoliv Hirotako that makes he choose the career of saving people life through safety equipment’s. The vision than brought to MIROS, in a broader position, to enhance manufacturer’s performance to produce a safer vehicle. Under Khairil’s leadership, ASEAN NCAP mission continually improves towards establishing a reliable independent consumer information for safer cars. More manufacturers have increased their vehicle safety capacity and ability as a result of safety rating and strategies implemented by the team. It is well accepted that to enter the ASEAN market, the minimum required rating is now 4 star which confidently translate to reduction of road fatality. MIROS has recognized his commitment by awarding him the Excellent Service Award in his first full-service year in 2009 and 2016 together Most Impact Researcher Award in 2010. He is also receiving special awards for his dedicated works and commitment throughout his tenure. The opportunities to work at several corners of the world has given him a chance to expand his professional capacity throughout his life and career. However, the privilege comes with immense responsibilities and exciting challenge set by MIROS. Admittedly, he will devote himself until vehicle safety becomes standard, not as an option
Future of Safer Vehicle in ASEAN
The New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) had a humble beginning starting with a development of a crash lab costing about MYR 5 million. With only basic equipment needed to operate the lab, ASEAN NCAP was privileged to have valuable staff who are high spirited and motivated to work regardless of the condition in order to achieve the objective of being the first crash lab in South East Asia. To date, ASEAN NCAP has developed two protocols. The first was implemented during Phase I of ASEAN NCAP tests until 2016 and the second protocol is currently running starting from 2017 until 2020. Both of these protocols have different objectives to achieve. The objectives were based on the automotive and road safety scenario at that particular time.
The current ASEAN NCAP protocol has definitely increased the vehicle safety level for the ASEAN region. Nevertheless, enhancements made to the new protocol will indeed make significant impact to the automotive scenario especially targeted for the emerging market like countries in South East Asia especially in relation to motorcyclist fatalities in the ASEAN Region.
The current ASEAN NCAP protocol has definitely increased the vehicle safety level for the ASEAN region. Nevertheless, enhancements made to the new protocol will indeed make significant impact to the automotive scenario especially targeted for the emerging market like countries in South East Asia especially in relation to motorcyclist fatalities in the ASEAN Region.