BTH: Op Gasak, LPG subsidy & SMEs demand clarity [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: A nationwide crackdown on the misuse of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has sparked growing concern among Malaysia's small business community, as food stall operators, laundrettes, and retailers brace for rising costs and stricter enforcement.
Launched on May 1, Ops Gasak — short for Operasi Gas Memasak — is an aggressive enforcement campaign by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, aimed at clamping down on illegal decanting, smuggling, and the misuse of household LPG in commercial and industrial settings.
While micro and small-scale traders have been granted temporary relief, allowing them to continue using subsidised LPG without permits until October 31, the broader enforcement push remains firmly focused on larger-scale abuse and non-compliant industrial users.
Joining Beyond the Headlines to weigh in on the implications is SME Association of Malaysia president Dr Chin Chee Seong, as the government doubles down on its pledge to ensure LPG subsidies are used appropriately and not exploited at the expense of taxpayers or honest traders.
As the situation evolves, small businesses are encouraged to stay informed about regulatory changes and participate in stakeholder engagement sessions to voice their concerns and suggestions.
More in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines. Watch on NST Online's YouTube channel.
This episode was recorded on Jun 5
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysiakini
17 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
MCA claims credit for subsidised LPG ban reversal
MCA is taking the credit for the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's announcement that micro and small traders in the food and beverage sector can continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a permit. MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong said party president Wee Ka Siong and vice-president Lawrence Low were among the earliest to raise concerns over the recent enforcement of LPG subsidy restrictions. "This development directly...
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
MCA tells govt to define small businesses entitled to LPG
KUALA LUMPUR: The government must specify which micro and small businesses are entitled to use subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). MCA vice-president Datuk Lawrence Low said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) must define what constitutes a "micro and small-scale food and sales business" amid growing confusion over the enforcement of subsidised LPG use under Ops Gasak. Low said the lack of details had left many traders uncertain and anxious. "Who exactly are these businesses? Are they classified by the volume of LPG they consume, their income levels, or some other benchmark? "Or will enforcement officers be left to make these determinations on the ground during Ops Gasak? The absence of clear criteria invites inconsistency and could result in unfair treatment," he said. Low, who is also chairs MCA's Economic and SME Affairs Committee, added that the confusion was compounded by a letter issued by Petronas, dated April 30, which prohibited the supply of subsidised LPG to commercial premises. "Why hasn't KPDN instructed Petronas to retract this letter? It is the root cause of the uncertainty and pressure being felt by small business owners," he said. The government had launched Op Gasak on May 1 to clamp down on the misuse of susidised LPG cylinders. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali had said household and small businesses could use fewer than three 14kg LPG cylinders at a time without obtaining a scheduled controlled goods permit. Yesterday, Armizan said the exemption for small businesses would remain in effect until amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 were finalised.
![SME group: KPDN failed to consult us on Op Gasak [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fgasut2_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1749182422.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
SME group: KPDN failed to consult us on Op Gasak [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Small and medium enterprise (SME) associations should be involved in industry policymaking from the outset, rather than only being consulted after decisions are made. SME Association of Malaysia president Dr Chin Chee Seong cited a recent policy briefing by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) as a positive example, where associations were invited to provide early feedback before any policy changes were finalised. "That kind of engagement is good for both sides," he told the NST's Beyond the Headlines. "We want to be involved from day one—before policies are drafted or approved—so we can help shape regulations that are fair and practical for small businesses. It becomes much harder to make changes once a policy is already in place." However, he said this level of engagement was lacking from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), particularly in the context of enforcement operations such as Op Gasak. "Other ministries are more proactive. We work closely with Miti (Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry), Matrade (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation), the Digital Ministry, Communications Ministry—even LHDN (Inland Revenue Board) and Customs. They engage SMEs regularly, maybe because their portfolios are more business-focused," Chin said. "But with KPDN, not so much. I've even written to them requesting a meeting, but there's been no response. Maybe they feel it's not part of their KPI. But they should engage us—many of our members deal directly with consumers, and we can provide important feedback." Op Gasak, which runs from May 1 to Oct 31, aims to curb illegal activities such as gas decanting (transferring LPG from subsidised to non-subsidised cylinders), smuggling, and the misuse of subsidised LPG by medium and large-scale businesses. Under the operation, eateries, including hawker stalls, are required to use the 14kg purple-coloured commercial gas cylinders priced at RM70. On Thursday, however, the government announced that micro and small-scale food and retail businesses may continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB) until October. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the exemption would remain in effect throughout the Op Gasak enforcement period and until amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are finalised. On Thursday, however, the government announced that micro and small-scale food and retail businesses may continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB) until October. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the exemption would remain in effect throughout the Op Gasak enforcement period and until amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are finalised.
