25 Complaints Over RON95 In Perak. But How Can Drivers Tell If Fuel Is Bad?

Perak's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) received 25 complaints involving suspected RON95 petrol contamination in October 2026, with water in fuel storage tanks among the possible causes.

But if your car suddenly starts jerking, losing power or struggling to start after refuelling, how can you tell whether the petrol is responsible?

⚡ TL;DR: WHAT DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW

Drivers generally cannot identify contaminated petrol simply by looking at the fuel pump. Instead, possible warning signs may appear through changes in engine performance.

According to AAA's automotive guidance on bad fuel, symptoms worth watching include:

5 POSSIBLE WARNING SIGNS

Important: These symptoms do not prove petrol contamination. Mechanical or electrical faults can cause similar problems, so a workshop diagnosis is essential.

According to Bernama's 1 November report, Perak KPDN director Datuk Kamalludin Ismail confirmed that complaints came from Kinta, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Parit Buntar and Manjung.

INVESTIGATION AT A GLANCE

Laboratory status: Results pending as of 1 November 2026.

All 25 complaints involved RON95, with no complaints concerning RON97 or diesel recorded during the period. KPDN collected fuel samples for analysis by the Department of Chemistry Malaysia.

Earlier preliminary inspections on 6 October found no signs of water contamination in tanks examined at six petrol stations. However, those checks were not conclusive.

The 25 complaints therefore remain allegations of possible contamination, not 25 laboratory-confirmed cases.

If your vehicle starts behaving unusually after filling up, take these three steps:

Do not discard your petrol receipt. It may help establish where and when you refuelled if you later need to file a complaint or support a compensation claim.

📖 RELATED READING

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

Our earlier guide explains how to document suspected fuel problems, report complaints and explore compensation options.

Motorists who suspect a fuel-quality problem can lodge a complaint through KPDN's official e-Aduan portal, attaching receipts, workshop findings and other supporting evidence.

The Petroleum Dealers' Association of Malaysia (PDAM) has also urged motorists to report suspected incidents to KPDN and the relevant oil companies rather than relying solely on social media allegations.

REPORT A COMPLAINT

Use KPDN e-Aduan and include your supporting documents.

EXPLORE A CONSUMER CLAIM

Eligible consumers may consider the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TTPM), which generally handles claims up to RM50,000, with a RM5 filing fee.

Compensation is not automatic. Any claim must satisfy the applicable requirements, and evidence connecting the fuel purchase to the alleged damage will be important.

KPDN's next steps will depend on the Department of Chemistry Malaysia's laboratory findings. Until those results are available, the suspected cause of the reported fuel problems remains unconfirmed.

For motorists, the takeaway is simple: watch for unusual engine behaviour, get a proper diagnosis and keep your refuelling records.

Possible warning signs include difficulty starting, engine jerking, loss of power, rough idling and stalling. However, these symptoms can also result from mechanical faults. A workshop inspection is needed to identify the likely cause.

No confirmation had been announced as of 1 November 2026. KPDN was awaiting laboratory findings from the Department of Chemistry Malaysia. The 25 complaints should not be treated as 25 confirmed contamination incidents.

Stop somewhere safe, arrange assistance if necessary and have the vehicle inspected. Keep your petrol receipt, station details, workshop report and repair invoices. If contamination is suspected, lodge a complaint with KPDN.

Potentially. Eligible motorists may explore claims through TTPM or the civil courts, depending on the circumstances. TTPM generally handles eligible consumer claims of up to RM50,000. Compensation is not guaranteed and supporting evidence is important.