List of Judges

Adam Aubrey

ADAM began his automotive journalism journey in 2013 with Cars, Bikes & Trucks in the New Sunday Times.

Since then, he has worn many hats—editor, content producer, and currently, editor at Zigwheels.my. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Adam delivers sharp, insightful commentary on cars, industry trends, and the evolving automotive landscape through his writing and videos.

Senior Motoring Journalist, Editor of MotaAuto.com

CHIPS YAP has been reporting on the motor industry for over 45 years, covering a broad spectrum of topics from industry developments to new product evaluations. He has also acted as consultant for foreign market research companies who have drawn on his extensive knowledge of the local auto industry.

Though he initially studied architecture, he realised that ‘writing was more satisfying than drawing lines’ and switched to journalism. Upon returning from the UK, he decided to specialise in the automotive industry as he was also interested in cars.

Over the 4 decades he has followed and reported on the industry, he has seen the evolution of cars and the numerous innovations that have been introduced. Having driven at least a thousand different vehicles, he is in a position to compare and see the changes made over time.

While the Chinese cars of today offer advanced features, he believes that the Japanese automakers are the ones that developed meaningful innovations which shaped the modern automotive industry.

“The industry will continue to advance and innovate in many ways and the era of EVs will bring new and exciting technologies that will make motoring even more enjoyable and safe,” he says.

As a judge for the Malaysia Car of the Year for many years, Chips feels that the winners presented each year provide consumers with a starting point when they are shopping for new models. They recognise the models which have excelled in the different segments of the broad spectrum of products in the Malaysian market.

Appreciates that human mobility has been a key enabler of advancing civilization. An enthusiastic driver and rider for over five decades, still celebrating each journey as a delightful learning experience.

A mature petrolhead who loves the planet but enjoys the sounds, shakes, and smells of ICE vehicles. Reflects on and respects the transformative transition towards vehicle electrification and autonomous driving, seeing it as significant as the invention of the wheel. Ever optimistic that the industry, while advancing towards Speed, Simplicity, and Safety, will be guided by the principles of Sustainability, Sensitivity, and Sensibility.

Managing Editor and Motoring Reporter

Minat terhadap kereta bermula apabilasaya pertama kali melihat Proton Satria GTI ketika pada remaja. Ia menjadi kegilaan peminat kenderaan ketika itu yang suka reka bentuknya, selain sebagai kereta sport kompak terbaik yang pernah dihasilkan oleh Proton.

Sebagai juri MCOTY, anugerah Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) saya berpeluang memberi panduan kepada pembeli untuk memilih kenderaan yang terbaik dalam aspek teknologi, keselamatan dan reka bentuk.

Anugerah ini menjadi penanda aras bagi industri automotif untuk meningkatkan usaha supaya terus meneroka batasan teknologi sambil memenuhi keperluan pengguna.

MCOTY mampu mencetus persaingan yang positif dalam industri automotif.

Masa depan industri automotif sangat menarik kerana teknologi seperti kenderaan elektrik dan kenderaan tanpa pemandu akan mengubah cara kita bergerak.

Adanya perkembangan ini bukan sahaja menjadikan kenderaan lebih mesra alam, tetapi juga lebih selamat dan mudah digunakan. Dengan sokongan kerajaan dan teknologi baharu, saya yakin industri ini akan membawa banyak manfaat kepada kita semua dan alam sekitar.

Journalist and Owner of Bigwheels Malaysia

Gokul is an ever-evolving automotive content creator who is well-versed in Malaysia’s passenger vehicle, motorcycle, and commercial vehicle segments. Currently the owner of Bigwheels Malaysia online portal and “Testpower” YouTube channel, he previously served as an editor at
Topgear Malaysia, Carlist.my, Bikes Republic, Mail Motor, as well as Cars, Bikes, Trucks (NST) just to name a few.

Although Gokul began his career as an English writer almost two decades ago, today, he is among the very few automotive content creators who produce automotive content in both Bahasa Malaysia and English. He is also planning to produce automotive content in Tamil language on platforms such as TikTok in the near future to cater to the Indian community in Malaysia.

Senior Writer di Engear TV.

Bermula dengan satu kekurangan berbanding manusia lain, namun Hanif anggap kekurangan itu bukanlah satu penghalang untuk terus maju ke depan.
Siapa sangka, dengan kekurangan itu jugalah minat terhadap bidang automotif mula berkembang ketika sedang sabar menanti sesi kemoterapi tamat di usia yang cukup muda.
Daripada zaman Proton Saga meluncur di atas jalan raya sehinggalah zaman Proton e.MAS 7 mengambil alih, Hanif percaya kereta bukanlah sekadar sebuah alat dari titik A ke titik B semata-mata.
Yang penting, teknologi yang disumbatkan itu perlu bersifat memudahkan dan selamat, bukannya bertujuan untuk menggantikan peranan manusia di sebalik roda stereng.

Starting with one shortcoming compared to others, Hanif considers this deficiency not a barrier to moving forward.
Who would have thought that it was this very shortcoming that sparked his interest in the automotive field while he patiently awaited the end of his chemotherapy sessions at a remarkably young age?
From the era of the Proton Saga cruising on the roads to the advent of the Proton e.MAS 7, Hanif believes that a car is not merely a tool for getting from point A to point B.

What matters most is that the technology integrated within must be easy to use and safe, rather than intended to replace the role of humans behind the steering wheel.

Lawyer / Motoring Industry Advisor and Off Road Enthusiast

Also known as Harry Sidhu, lawyer, writer, adventurer, photographer and raconteur.

As a senior lawyer, he has advised stakeholders in the motoring industry for the last 34 years on various issues. He has handled various litigation regarding the merchantability of vehicles which experience offered him an in depth insight into the much-touted “Lemon Law” for vehicles that is being very often written about of late, in the Malaysian media. He believes that Malaysia does not need a special Lemon Law Act, as Malaysia has sufficient legislature in place, that can accommodate the “Lemon Law” with some minor tweaking to the existing legislature. He is more interested to see an increased effort at enforcement of the laws.

A self-confessed car nut and enthusiast, in his spare time, he has been writing occasionally for the motoring media for a long time. His articles have appeared amongst others in the Sunday Times‘s “Cars, Bikes & Trucks”.

He is an avid sailor and has a keen interest in boats and anything that floats and the mechanics involved. He also has a deep interest in anything with wheels, be it 2 wheels,4 or more. He has participated in a few monumental off-road transcontinental adventure trips, including the 2010 Trans-Amazon 4×4 adventure in South America in the sweltering Amazon jungles. He also participated in the epic 2012 Trans Asia 4X4 adventure to trace the ancient winter silk route, driving from the westernmost part of Asia to the easternmost part of Asia.

Despite his core interest in ICE technology, he recognises the relentless EV movement, and its rapid innovation, but remains sceptical of a wholly holistic solution to Malaysia’s transportation needs judging by its current trajectory.

Freelance Automotive Journalist

Jay Wong’s passion for cars ignited at a young age when he encountered the sleek BMW 3 Series (E30), further deepened by witnessing the impressive performance of the BMW M1 (E26) at the Batu Tiga race circuit. This early exposure to iconic vehicles set him on a path to becoming a freelance automotive journalist, where he shares his enthusiasm and insights through detailed reviews.

He views the Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) award not just as a trophy, but as a symbol of excellence that recognizes vehicles excelling in safety, comfort, performance, and build quality, while delivering strong value.

For Jay, the Toyota Prius represents groundbreaking automotive innovation, marking a shift toward sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint in the industry.

His ideal dream car would feature a sleek design that balances modernity with timeless style, a powerful yet efficient engine, spacious comfort for long drives, and a luxurious, tech savvy interior that enhances both performance and driving pleasure.

Publisher, Managing Editor, Motoring Journalist at autocarmalaysia.com, Content creator and Co-food trekker @TransitTemptations on Instagram.

Lisa has been a motoring journalist for over 12 years, writing and editing various car and motorbike publications. Lisa is the Publisher and Managing Editor of Autocar Malaysia Singapore (formerly known asAutocar ASEAN) and is the only female motoring media owner in the country.

Lisa’s interest in driving began at three when she was given an electric car for her birthday. Cars and driving are a family interest which Lisa shares with her sisters and father.

As one of the judges, Lisa believes that the Malaysia Car of the Year should combine looks, features, innovation and technology, especially safety, within an affordable price range.

The car that best represents innovation in the automotive industry is the Ford Model T. The first mass produced car changed the landscape
of motorised personal mobility.

Similarly, the advent of electric vehicles has made the automotive market more competitive. In Malaysia, the numerous new brands have sped up the introduction of new, advanced automotive innovations and technology and elevated car buyers’ expectations.

Lisa’s dream car would be solar powered, autonomous and maintenance-free. The long list of essential equipment would include matrix laser headlights, LED tail lamps, keyless entry, walk-away auto locks, auto-fold mirrors, hot and cold ventilated seats and a fridge. It would also be capable of zero-to-a-hundred in sub-four seconds and be magically restocked with her favourite snacks and chilled carbonated water every
day because hydration is important.

Managing Editor Electronikar and Fast TV

With nearly three decades of automotive journalism expertise, Shamsul Yunos has been a steadfast voice in Malaysia’s motoring landscape since 1994. Beginning his career at the New Straits Times, where he served as News Editor for the Cars, Bikes and Trucks pullout in the early 2000s, he played a pivotal role in establishing the prestigious NST-Car of the Year awards. Today, he continues to share his insights through his weekly column in the same publication.

As a founding member of the Malaysia Car of the Year panel, Shamsul has witnessed first hand the automotive industry’s dramatic evolution.

Currently, he hosts Fast TV and Electronikar, platforms dedicated to exploring the transition to renewable energy in transportation.

As an independent automotive journalist, his work focuses on helping consumers navigate the significant transformation in mobility, particularly as the industry shifts toward electrification and sustainable solutions.

His unique perspective, shaped by years of front-line experience in automotive journalism, continues to provide valuable insights during this pivotal period of automotive innovation and environmental consciousness.

Editor, Chinese division at KeyAuto.my

With over a decade of experience in journalism and four years dedicated to the automotive industry, she has built a diverse portfolio of work in the field. Currently, she serves as the Editor at KeyAuto.my, where she explores all facets of the automotive world. Before this, she honed her expertise as an automotive journalist with Oriental Daily News, contributing to the automotive column, and later as a writer for MyWheels automotive platform.

As a judge for the Malaysian Car of the Year (MCOTY) awards, she believes the Car of the Year (COTY) plays a significant role in both recognizing the efforts of manufacturers and providing valuable insights for consumers. By highlighting the year’s most outstanding models, MCOTY helps buyers make informed decisions while encouraging carmakers to strive for continuous innovation and excellence.

What excites her most about the future of the automotive industry is the rapidly evolving technological landscape. She remains captivated by the ceaseless evolution of technology and automotive progress. Whether test-driving the latest models or uncovering trends shaping the industry, she is driven by a deep passion for sharing the stories behind the machines that move us

Organising Chairman of the Malaysia Car of the Year

Mobility Social Activist with social media platforms anchored under Yamin.com.my and Mobility Media

Yamin Vong shares the credit for birth of the Malaysia Car of the Year Awards 22 years ago with his former marketing director, Joseph Raj, who said that automotive journalists should give credit where credit was due to the car makers who produced the best cars in the world. As the editor of one of Malaysia’s most
popular weekly car supplements in the 2000’s, Yamin seized on this idea for a Car of the Year awards programme that would also guide readers who had questions about the cars that they needed and/or wanted to buy.

He duly selected four of his colleagues to join the panel of the first of Malaysia’s longest continuous Car of the Year awards programme. His criteria for selection were full-time employees who had at least 3 years experience in automotive journalism, including attending international car launches, international auto shows, and whose articles were timely, persuasive, insightful and educational.

Today, Yamin is proud that the panel of judges has grown in depth and numbers to 12 including two from the legal and medical professions. And of this panel, beside himself, Yamin has the honour of the membership of one from the original panel of judges

Freelance Automotive Journalist

Zachary Ho: 16-year motoring writer (ex-Autoworld Malaysia). Judges cars on real-world functionality—repair accessibility, ownership costs—and human connection: how design and tech serve daily lives. Rejects hype; believes vehicles must solve actual problems while moving people literally and emotionally. Trusted voice blending engineering logic with cultural insight.

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