Caltex, Petron begin paying motorists over RON95 damage claims

Caltex and Petron have begun making payments to motorists who reported vehicle damage after filling up with RON95 petrol, domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said today.

The ministry has been investigating complaints of RON95 petrol allegedly mixed with water, causing damage to vehicles in several areas.

Armizan told the Dewan Rakyat that the goodwill payments by Caltex and Petron were not admissions of liability or wrongdoing on their part.

Although the cause of the suspected RON95 petrol contamination has yet to be established, both companies have started making goodwill payments to motorists with verified claims, Armizan said.

He said motorists must submit complaints with valid supporting documents to qualify for the payments, which are subject to conditions set by the companies.

Motorists who feel the goodwill payments are insufficient can pursue other avenues to seek compensation, he added.

“They can lodge a complaint with the domestic trade and cost of living ministry, take civil action or refer their cases to the consumer claims tribunal,” he said.

Armizan was responding to Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai), who asked about compensation for affected motorists and the outcome of tests on petrol suspected of causing engine damage.

He said complaints received since Oct 3 appeared to involve certain Caltex and Petron stations, particularly in Kedah and Penang.

Of the 262 petrol samples collected nationwide, preliminary tests on 43 found water content below 0.05%, the lowest level that could be reported, he said.

The remaining samples are still being tested for water and other foreign substances.

Armizan said the problem appeared to involve petrol supplied during a particular period, although investigators had yet to establish its cause.

He also said several petrol stations remained closed following the complaints, with the ministry looking into losses suffered by the operators.

Armizan said the government was also studying fuel quality testing and monitoring practices in Singapore, the UK and Australia to improve oversight of petrol supplies in Malaysia.

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