Perak Domestic Trade Ministry receives 25 complaints over suspected RON95 contamination, water in tanks suspected

The Perak branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living received 25 complaints last month over suspected RON95 petrol contamination, believed to have been caused by water in fuel storage tanks. — Picture by Choo Choy May

First Published: Sunday, 01 Nov 2026 10:55 AM MYT

IPOH, Nov 1 — The Perak branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) received 25 complaints last month over suspected RON95 petrol contamination, believed to have been caused by water in fuel storage tanks.

Its director, Datuk Kamalludin Ismail, said the complaints came from five districts, namely Kinta, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Parit Buntar and Manjung.

He said the department had conducted inspections and monitoring following the complaints and collected samples of the petrol for analysis by the Department of Chemistry Malaysia.

“As of now, we have yet to receive the results from the Department of Chemistry. We will await the findings before deciding on further action,” he told reporters after flagging off about 1,200 participants in the Pink 5KM and Purple Fun Run 2026 organised by Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH) here today.

Kamalludin said the complaints received so far involved only RON95 petrol, with no reports concerning diesel or RON97.

He advised affected consumers to retain relevant documents and evidence to support claims through the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TTPM) or the civil courts.

Recently, several social media posts went viral, with users alleging that RON95 petrol suspected of being contaminated with water had damaged their vehicles.

Meanwhile, PCSH president Datuk Lee Hau Hian said the running event, organised in collaboration with Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun and the Perak branch of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, aimed to raise awareness of breast and gynaecological cancers.

He said the event was part of PCSH’s Beyond Pink 2026 — Prevention Can Save Her campaign, which highlights the importance of cancer prevention, early detection and public awareness.

Lee said participants also stood a chance of winning lucky draw prizes worth a total of RM10,000, sponsored by various parties.

He added that RM5 from each participant’s registration fee would be donated to several orphanages, care centres for persons with disabilities and homes for the elderly in Perak. — Bernama