Selangor Probes 7 Petrol Stations Over Contaminated RON95 Claims
Selangor authorities are investigating seven petrol stations across Klang, Sungai Buloh, Puchong, and Shah Alam after motorists filed 10 official complaints alleging that water-contaminated RON95 fuel severely damaged their vehicle engines.
Selangor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Muhamad Hanif Asa’ari said enforcement officers seized 27 petrol samples from the targeted pumps for laboratory analysis by the Malaysian Chemistry Department. The investigation follows a wave of similar consumer grievances across northern Malaysia earlier in the month.
Engine Failures Prompt Ministry Seizures
Affected motorists reported widespread mechanical failures after refuelling, including abnormal engine noises, jerking, loss of power, and engines failing to start. According to Harian Metro, several vehicle service centres confirmed that water intrusion inside fuel tanks directly caused burnt engine valves and engine damage.
Initial inspections by the ministry confirmed that all seven retail locations hold valid Special Approval Licences and operating permits under the Petroleum Development Act 1974. However, officers served formal notices under Section 32 of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, compelling operators to surrender business records and supply documentation.
Probes Expand Beyond Selangor
Penang authorities logged 33 complaints across approximately 30 petrol stations, while Kedah officials pulled fuel samples from 11 separate locations following sudden vehicle breakdowns. Conversely, inspections at six stations in Ipoh, Taiping, and Kuala Kangsar yielded no immediate signs of water inside Perak storage tanks. State officials noted that laboratory testing remains necessary to verify whether the scattered allegations carry substantive proof.
Investigators Review Fuel Composition Under Trade Descriptions Act
Investigators are reviewing the Selangor cases under Section 5(1)(c), read alongside Sections 6(1)(d) and 7 of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, focusing on potential false trade descriptions regarding fuel composition.
Muhamad Hanif warned fuel companies and station owners to routinely maintain underground storage tanks and adhere strictly to mandatory quality standards. The ministry advised motorists who suspect contaminated fuel purchases to safeguard their official receipts and workshop inspection reports while awaiting final laboratory outcomes from the Chemistry Department.