43 RON95 petrol samples show low water content in preliminary tests

KUALA LUMPUR: Preliminary analysis of 43 RON95 petrol samples found that their water content was below 0.05 per cent.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the finding was contained in the Chemistry Department's preliminary report dated Oct 29.

He was replying to Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) in the Dewan Rakyat today, who asked about the results of tests on petrol samples collected following complaints of possible water contamination.

Latiff had also asked about suspected water contamination involving RON95 petrol from several petrol stations.

Armizan said 262 RON95 samples had been collected, comprising 259 from petrol stations and three from oil company depots.

The remaining samples were still being analysed, with the full report to be issued once testing was completed.

He said the ministry began receiving complaints on Oct 3 about allegations that RON95 petrol contained foreign substances that had damaged consumers' vehicle engines in several states.

The ministry had also received complaints of suspected water contamination in RON95 petrol at several petrol stations in Selangor.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1558159/ron95-water-contamination-claims-lab-tests-may-take-months-watch#google_vignette

As of Oct 31, inspections had covered eight petrol station brands across eight states and three oil company depots.

Armizan said the ministry held engagement sessions with Petron and Chevron, the owner of the Caltex brand, on Oct 9 and 21 to identify the cause of the alleged contamination.

"Both companies had also sent RON95 petrol samples from stations involved in the complaints to their respective laboratories, including overseas laboratories, for testing."

He said both companies had begun taking follow-up measures in response to substantiated complaints of vehicle damage while investigations were ongoing.

"Caltex and Petron had formulated customer recovery programmes involving assistance payments on a goodwill basis, subject to established criteria and without any admission of wrongdoing or liability at this stage."

He said payments would be made to customers who had submitted complete complaints with valid supporting documents.

Armizan said the ministry would continue investigating complaints and take action if any offences were found.

"Every complaint will be followed up with an immediate investigation, and if there are any offences, strict action will be taken in accordance with the laws in force," he said.

He said there was also a need to review and strengthen coordination and establish more comprehensive standards covering fuel quantity and quality.

"As such, we are conducting benchmarking exercises with several countries, including Singapore, the United Kingdom and Australia, to examine their standards and monitoring mechanisms.

"This also includes aspects such as accredited laboratory testing, trading standards enforcement, fuel monitoring programmes and transparent consumer reporting," he said.