KPDN Probes RON95 Contamination Complaints. Here's What Drivers Should Do

A quick stop for petrol shouldn't end with a trip to the workshop. Yet that's the concern following recent complaints of suspected water contamination in RON95 petrol.

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is investigating seven petrol stations in Selangor after receiving 10 complaints involving suspected fuel contamination and vehicle damage.

According to Selangor KPDN director Muhamad Hanif Asa'ari, enforcement officers collected 27 RON95 samples for laboratory analysis during inspections on 16 October. Whether the petrol supplied by these stations was contaminated remains unconfirmed.

What Should You Do If Your Car Acts Up After Refuelling?

If your car starts behaving unusually after refuelling, don't immediately assume the petrol is responsible. Several mechanical problems can produce similar symptoms.

However, if your vehicle begins jerking severely, loses power or develops unusual engine noises, avoid continuing your journey unnecessarily.

Find a safe place to stop and switch off the engine if it is safe to do so. If the vehicle cannot be driven safely, arrange for it to be towed to a qualified workshop or authorised service centre.

Ask the technician to investigate the cause of the problem. If fuel contamination is suspected, request a written inspection report explaining the findings.

Keep relevant photographs, diagnostic results and repair quotations. If possible, ask the workshop to document any suspected contamination before repairs or fuel-system cleaning are carried out.

Most importantly, don't throw away your petrol receipt.

KPDN has specifically advised affected motorists to retain their official petrol purchase receipts and workshop inspection reports to support complaints and investigations.

These records could help establish what happened and support any subsequent complaint or compensation claim.

What Problems Have Motorists Reported?

The complaints involve several vehicle symptoms, including unusual engine noises, jerking, loss of power and difficulty starting. KPDN has also cited reports of more serious engine-related incidents.

According to reports citing KPDN, inspections by vehicle service centres identified water in the fuel tanks of some affected vehicles.

However, finding water in a vehicle's fuel tank does not automatically establish where it came from. Determining whether the fuel supplied by a particular station was responsible requires further investigation.

The seven petrol stations under investigation are located in Klang, Sungai Buloh, Puchong and Shah Alam.

Similar complaints have also surfaced in other states, including Penang and Kedah. In Penang, KPDN expanded its investigation to examine the wider fuel supply chain.

There is currently no established link between the complaints reported across these states.

How Can You Lodge A Complaint?

Motorists who suspect they have purchased contaminated petrol can submit a complaint through KPDN's official e-Aduan portal.

Include as much supporting evidence as possible, particularly your petrol receipt, workshop inspection report and details of the incident.

Motorists should also consider contacting the petrol station operator or fuel company concerned and keeping written records of any correspondence.

However, filing a KPDN complaint does not automatically entitle a motorist to compensation. The complaint process allows authorities to investigate potential violations and take enforcement action where warranted.

Can You Claim Compensation For Engine Damage?

Potentially, although the outcome depends on the evidence and circumstances.One possible avenue is the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TTPM), which handles eligible consumer disputes involving goods and services.

According to TTPM's official guidelines, the tribunal generally handles claims of up to RM50,000, subject to its jurisdiction. Claims can be filed through the e-Tribunal portal, with a filing fee of RM5.

Claims generally must arise within three years and must meet the tribunal's eligibility requirements. The tribunal is intended for eligible individual consumers, rather than purchases made for business purposes.

Motorists would still need evidence supporting their claim, including the alleged damage, the circumstances surrounding the petrol purchase and the party they believe is responsible.

In other words, compensation is not guaranteed simply because a vehicle develops problems after refuelling.

What Happens Next?

The 27 RON95 samples collected in Selangor have been sent for analysis by the Malaysian Chemistry Department. According to KPDN, laboratory testing could take several months, although authorities have requested that the process be expedited.

Until the findings are available, motorists should avoid drawing conclusions about individual petrol stations based solely on complaints or unverified social media claims.

For anyone experiencing vehicle problems after refuelling, the sensible approach is to obtain a professional diagnosis, preserve relevant evidence and report suspected contamination through the appropriate channels.