Combi Malaysia Promotes Child Passenger Safety

The majority of private vehicles were not equipped to transport children in a proper manner, which emphasizes the necessity of educating Malaysian drivers about the value of supervision, education, and improved regulations in order to promote safety and avoid incidents involving the transportation of children.
According to a report by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), an agency under the Transport Ministry, children who are transported in private vehicles like cars, vans, and four-wheel drives are among the most vulnerable on the road. It also noted that 30.2% of casualties occur among children aged 5 to 9 and 43.8% among those aged 1 to 4.

In light of these concerning statistics, the Malaysian government issued a new regulation in January 2020 under the Road Transport Act 1978 – Motor Vehicles (Safety Seat-belts) (Amendment) Rules 2019, requiring all children under 135 cm in height to be buckled up in an authorized child restraint system (CRS).
However, the government decided to put the regulation on hold indefinitely for the time being in order to properly develop long-term solutions that won't burden the people, based on the rationale that those who own vehicles from lower-income groups would find it difficult to purchase one.

In the meantime, the emphasis has shifted to an advocacy strategy to educate parents about the value of car seats for kids. Combi Malaysia's representative, Eris Chew, acknowledged that perceived high costs and low awareness were two obstacles that Malaysian families faced when implementing CRS.
In addition to offering families easily accessible, certified, and dependable safety solutions, Combi Malaysia is dedicated to closing the gap and assisting in increasing awareness in order to help address this.

"Combi is a beloved Japanese baby brand known for its dedication to child safety, quality, and innovative design. At Combi Malaysia, we’re proud to build on over six decades of expertise to bring parents products that prioritise safety and enhance the parenting journey. We hope to set a new standard for child passenger safety in Malaysia", Eric said during the opening of Combi Malaysia’s flagstore opening in Mid Valley on Friday.

At the launch event, the leading Japanese baby product manufacturer unveiled its latest innovation, the CrossAge 360, the first Japanese car seat designed for children from birth to 10 years old weighing up to 36kg, with an emphasis on long-term use.

CrossAge 360 has been tested to satisfy the most recent safety regulations, particularly European Standard No. R129, also known as the R129 or i-Size. The R129 stresses tests the rearward-facing seats while accounting for the child's height and weight.

Its 360-degree rotating seat and easy one-hand swivel mechanism also make it easy and safe for parents to move the CrossAge 360 seat. The carseat's head and neck rest section can be adjusted by the parents to fit the child's height and developmental stage. To protect the baby's head and neck from impact, the CrossAge 360 is equipped with EggShock's Ultra-Shock Absorbent Material in addition to its ISOFIX Easy Installation and extended use.


Teoh Jun Wei, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research's (MIROS) Child Occupant Safety Advisor (COSA), stated during the panel discussion that parents ought to be aware of whether the seats adhere to the appropriate safety regulations. According to him, the most recent standard that adheres to a rigorous testing procedure is the European R129, also known as i-Size.
The primary rules introduced by R129 or i-Size are that seats are assigned according to a child's height rather than weight. Therefore, it's crucial to make sure your child's height fits within the seat's range. In order to determine whether a seat is appropriate for their child and when to switch them to a larger seat, parents should keep a close eye on their child's height.
Rearward-facing restraints are only appropriate for infants up to 15 months of age, according to R129. Until they are at least 15 months old, babies in R129 car seats remain facing backward.
To make sure the seats offer superior protection against side impact collisions, R129 also incorporates a side impact test. Although R129 car seats are compatible with vehicles with Isofix fitting points, parents should still confirm that the seat is authorized for their vehicle.

When asked if parents should spend more money or choose less expensive seats, Chew, a mother herself, advises parents to consider the seat's cost-effectiveness and safety standards for long-term use in accordance with the needs of the family. The ventilation of the seat and the materials used are additional factors to take into account considering the hot weather in Malaysia .

The second thing to make sure of, according to Chew, is how simple and secure it is to fasten the child seat to the vehicle. The majority of modern cars, regardless of brand, have rear seats with ISOFIX latch compatibility to facilitate easy car seats  installation.

As a mom of two, I believe that every parent wants the best for their child, particularly in terms of their safety. Whether you are browsing online or in a physical store, you will be overwhelmed by the selection as soon as you begin. Before making your choice, keep in mind that the "best" CRS will be the one that fits your child, car, budget, and—above all—that you will use correctly each and every time you fasten them.
Even though there are many options with reasonable price tags to choose from, picking the best car seat doesn't have to be difficult. A good car seat doesn't have to be costly or "premium" because it's about more than just keeping your child safe; it's about encasing them in a cocoon of love and safety.
I know we live in the era of internet shopping, and I also enjoy shopping from home, but there are some things you want to see in person, like car seats. This will let you feel the fabric, adjust to the latch and belt system, see how big the seat and base are, and assess the product's overall quality.

When putting your child in a car seat for the first time, it can be challenging because some children don't like being physically restrained and are accustomed to having more freedom of movement, or they may cry aloud because they want your attention.

Parents are undoubtedly stressed and frustrated by this situation, but it's crucial that they maintain calmness and communication during car seat protests because, ultimately, their safety is our top priority.