SHAH ALAM – A video that recently went viral on social media shows a group of youths and adults in Makassar carrying out a deeply concerning act by taking turns drinking vehicle engine oil.
According to reports, the act was done on the belief that it could boost stamina and physical energy.
Footage uploaded by several social media users has sparked shock among netizens, with many describing the act as highly dangerous to human health.
In the video, those involved were seen consuming engine oil directly, without any safety measures or scientific explanation to support its supposed benefits.
Responding to the incident, Secretary of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in South Sulawesi, Professor Muammar Bakry, stressed that the practice is forbidden under Islamic law.
He emphasised that consuming chemical substances such as engine oil can severely harm health and may even be fatal if left untreated.
“This act clearly goes against the principle of preserving life and health, which is an obligation for every individual under Islamic teachings,” he said in an official statement on Wednesday.
Following the incident, the local Health Department has deployed teams to track and monitor those involved.
A Makassar Health Department official said the move aims not only to ensure their safety but also to educate the public on the dangers of toxic substances.
The official added that the department is planning public awareness campaigns on the risks of consuming non-food substances, including chemicals and industrial solvents, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Medical experts have warned that engine oil contains toxic substances such as heavy metals, aromatic hydrocarbons and other harmful chemical additives if ingested.
Short-term exposure may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and damage to the liver and kidneys, while long-term exposure could affect the nervous system and increase the risk of cancer.
A toxicology expert from Hasanuddin University, Dr Lestari, stressed that there is no scientific evidence supporting claims that drinking engine oil can improve stamina or energy.
Instead, she warned that it is a high-risk act that can threaten lives.
The incident has drawn widespread attention from netizens as well as local and national media.
Many have condemned the act as irresponsible and urged the public not to imitate such dangerous behaviour.