SHAH ALAM, Oct 17 — Selangor is investigating seven petrol stations after motorists complained that RON95 petrol suspected of being contaminated with water had damaged their vehicle engines, following similar allegations in northern states earlier this month.
Selangor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Muhamad Hanif Asa’ari said the ministry had received 10 official complaints involving the seven premises and collected 27 petrol samples for laboratory analysis.
“Investigations found that consumer complaints involved various symptoms of engine damage, such as abnormal engine noises, jerking, loss of power, engines failing to start and cases of burnt engine valves,” he was quoted by news outlet Harian Metro as saying today.
Hanif said some vehicle service centres had confirmed that water contamination in fuel tanks was responsible for engine damage in complainants’ vehicles.
Initial inspections found that all seven stations had valid Special Approval Licences and licences under the Petroleum Development Act 1974.
However, the ministry issued notices requiring the operators to provide relevant documents and information to assist the investigation.
The ministry is investigating possible offences under Section 5(1)(c), read together with Sections 6(1)(d) and 7 of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, concerning alleged false trade descriptions relating to the content of the petrol supplied.
Hanif urged oil companies and petrol station operators to maintain their underground storage tanks regularly and comply with fuel quality and safety standards.
Motorists who suspect they have been affected were advised to keep their petrol receipts and workshop inspection reports as evidence when lodging complaints with the ministry.
Earlier complaints in northern states
Earlier this month, Penang’s Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry office reported receiving 33 complaints involving about 30 petrol stations over alleged water contamination in RON95.
An inspection at a station in Batu Kawan found no evidence of water contamination.
In Kedah, the ministry collected samples from 11 stations after motorists reported vehicle breakdowns following refuelling.
In Perak, inspections at six stations in Ipoh, Taiping and Kuala Kangsar found no initial signs of water in the storage tanks examined.
Authorities said laboratory results were needed to determine whether the allegations were substantiated.
There is no confirmed evidence currently that the complaints in Selangor and the northern states are connected.