UK Traveller Worries Brushing Her Teeth with Penang Tap Water Isn’t Safe, Gets Ridiculed by M’sians

LocalTravel
15 Feb 2026 • 3:59 PM MYT
WORLD OF BUZZ
WORLD OF BUZZ

#1 social news site in M'sia that delivers you the latest & trending news from politics, entertainment, life, and more.

image is not available

The post UK Traveller Worries Brushing Her Teeth with Penang Tap Water Isn’t Safe, Gets Ridiculed by M’sians appeared first on WORLD OF BUZZ.

A British woman travelling in Malaysia recently drew the attention of netizens after posting a question to the ‘Travel Malaysia’ Facebook group.

In the now-deleted post, the woman revealed she was visiting Penang with a group and raised concerns regarding the safety of the state’s tap water.

image is not available

For illustration purposes

 

To brush or not to brush?

While it is common for foreign travellers, particularly those from developed nations, to inquire whether Malaysia’s tap water is drinkable, this traveller went a step further by questioning whether the water was even safe for brushing her teeth.

She asked:

“Hi all! We are currently in Penang, and I’m just wondering if anyone knows if it’s safe to brush your teeth with the tap water? Thanks!”

image is not available

 

“Does your country have internet?”

The British traveller’s inquiry then sparked a flurry of responses from Malaysians in the public group, many of whom met the question with ridicule.

One commenter sarcastically told her to be “extremely careful” with Penang’s tap water and suggested she use Perrier, the expensive French brand of natural sparkling mineral water, to brush her teeth, or they “may fall off.”

image is not available

Meanwhile, another netizen assured her that while tap water in Malaysia is not drinkable, it’s safe to use for brushing teeth and other daily uses.

Besides that, one commenter who was perplexed by the woman’s inquiry asked her whether it was her first time travelling abroad. He went on to sarcastically question whether her home country has internet or an education system.

image is not available

 

This is not the first time that foreign travellers have been paranoid about using the tap water in Penang. In 2024, a couple travelling in the state went viral for not showering for 3 days due to the “yellow water” at the hotel they were staying at. 

 

Also read: You Can Drink Tap Water in Selangor ‘Without Any Health Risks’ by 2028, The State Exco Claims

image is not available

The post UK Traveller Worries Brushing Her Teeth with Penang Tap Water Isn’t Safe, Gets Ridiculed by M’sians appeared first on WORLD OF BUZZ.

View Original Article