Complaints of tainted fuel in Penang rise to 33

GEORGE TOWN: A total of 33 complaints involving 30 petrol stations have been lodged over alleged water-contaminated RON95 in Penang.

"So far, we have received 33 complaints, up from 21 two days ago.

"The increase shows that we are continuing to receive information from consumers, and these complaints are being acted upon," State Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director S. Jegan said during an inspection of a fuel distribution and storage depot in Perai on Thursday (Oct 8).

ALSO READ: Twenty-one complaints lodged over claims of tainted petrol in Penang

Jegan said eight samples had been taken from petrol stations, affected vehicles and workshops involving the first complainants and sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.

"We obtained samples from the stations as well as from consumers, including from their vehicles or workshops.

"We are still waiting for the results, so it is too early to draw any conclusion until we obtain the findings.

"Some complainants claimed their vehicles had suffered damage after refuelling, including engine problems, which they believe were caused by the fuel," he said.

Jegan said the analysis by the Chemistry Department in Petaling Jaya could take about a month, or two to three weeks at the earliest.

He said the ministry would base any further action on the laboratory findings and technical evidence.

ALSO READ: No water found in RON95 petrol from Batu Kawan station

Meanwhile, he said the ministry has expanded its checks of the supply chain, including looking at how fuel is handled before reaching stations and consumers.

"We have already gone to the consumers and petrol stations.

"This (inspecting storage and distribution depots) is the next level and we are looking at the supply chain from vessel to depot, from depot to tanker, then the petrol station and finally the consumer.

"The depot supplies fuel to the northern region and Kelantan, and we will also take samples from the depot for analysis," he said, adding that Petron has a different source and depot.

Jegan stressed that the inspection did not mean the ministry had identified the source of the alleged contamination.

"This does not mean we have concluded that the source of the issue is any particular stage of the supply chain or any particular oil company.

"It is part of our effort to obtain facts, information and a more complete picture before any decision or further action is taken," he said.

He said consumers experiencing problems suspected to be related to fuel quality should lodge complaints with the ministry and the relevant company, and those with evidence that their vehicle damage was caused by fuel they purchased may also file a claim with the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia, subject to its jurisdiction and requirements.

ALSO READ: Domestic Trade Ministry takes RON95 samples over water-mixing claims

Depot supply manager Michael Keh said although water could mix with petrol temporarily if it entered a fuel tank, the two would eventually separate because of their different densities.

"Sooner or later, due to the difference in density between oil and water, you will see that they separate.

"There should not be any water in our tanks.

"We check the underground tanks at our stations as well as our storage tanks here at the depot.

"If there is water, we take it out.

"But in this instance, we did not find any water," he said.

On Sunday (Oct 4), several motorists took to social media claiming their vehicles developed problems, including failing to start, after refuelling at petrol stations in Penang.

They alleged the RON95 had been contaminated with water, with some claiming their vehicles suffered engine problems and required repairs after refuelling.