The regional event was held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang, Kuala Lumpur, with 19 finalists utilising a Scania G410LA6x2MSZ attached to a trailer carrying a 20-foot container for the truck category and a Scania Marcopolo K410IB4x2 coach for the bus category.
Also, for the first time, the event saw participants from Myanmar (two) and the Philippines (2) who competed against 10 drivers from Malaysia and six from Singapore.
It was Law Cheok Gheen who took home SEK20,000 (RM10,000) representing Zulco Sdn Bhd for the Bus category. The Malaysian also managed to earn his company a service voucher of SEK10,000 (RM5,000).
From left: Marie, Soe, Law, Rahman and Michelin Malaysia commercial director Alexis Richard (Bus category).
Taking second place in the same category was Soe Naing from Myanmar, representing Aung Kyaw Moe Express, who took home SEK10,000 (RM5,000)while Singaporean Rahman Khan from Ducktours clinched third place with SEK6,000 (RM3,000)
The truck category saw Saraveswaren Srues from Malaysia representing Air Products emerged the champion and earned himself SEK20,000 (RM10,000) as well as SEK10,000 (RM5,000) service voucher for his company.
In second place was Singaporean Wong Yih Chien representing Transworld International winning SEK 10,000 (RM5,000) and Indonesian Kukuh Hendrawan representing PT Semen Gresik in third place with SEK6,000 (RM3,000).
From left: Marie, Wong, Sarveswaren, Kukuh, and Michelin Malaysia commercial director Alexis Richard (Truck category).
During the competition, each driver's abilities were tested through a series of timed maneuvering tasks which included a 'Knock the Cone' precision test and 'Boardwalk' obstacle test.
"We have seen an increasing interest in the SDC and that is a good indication that it has been a catalyst in getting heavy commercial vehicle drivers to upgrade their skills and that means safer drivers, safer conditions for all road users and better fuel economy for operators," said Scania South East Asia managing director Marie Sjödin Enström.
Enrolment for the competition began in 2016 with more than 1,000 drivers within the region signing up who went through the elimination rounds that tested their knowledge of road transport laws and regulations, alternative fuels, fuel-efficient and safe driving skills, load securing, occupational risks and health, and emergency procedures.
