Focus on subsidised LPG smuggling, large-scale abuse not petty traders, hawkers, says Dr Wee
PETALING JAYA: Enforcement against subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) gas abuse under Ops Gasak should focus on large-scale operations and at the borders and not on petty traders and hawkers, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
"The issue at hand is the smuggling activities at the border and abuse of targeted subsidies. It should not be to punish small traders who are trying to earn a living.
"The PETRONAS directive on April 30, which references the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, clearly shows the effects of enforcement action against small traders," the Ayer Hitam MP said in a video posted to TikTok.
"The official letter by PETRONAS directed all gas dealers to stop selling 12kg and 14kg subsidised LPG gas cylinders to commercial premises, including restaurants, hawkers stalls and mamak shops," he said.
The MCA president said this directive created confusion and fear among thousands of small traders who were now worried about action being taken against them although they were using small cylinders.
"The videos and complaints on raids from small traders showed that action was taken not only on big businesses, as alleged.
"If petty traders are allowed to use subsidised gas, bring the proposal to Cabinet and make a final decision that from now, all petty traders can use subsidised LPG gas," Dr Wee added.
On Sunday (June 1), Dr Wee had asked the government to give hawkers a clear assurance that they can continue using subsidised LPG so that food prices would not be raised.
He said this in response to concerns raised by hawkers and consumers nationwide, following the possible hike in prices due to Ops Gasak.
'If it is true that hawkers and small traders are still allowed to use the subsidised LPG, do not beat around the bush.
'Give the people a clear answer in black and white,' he said after opening the Ayer Hitam MCA division annual general meeting here on Sunday.
As of May 1, eateries, including hawker stalls, are required to use the 14kg purple-coloured commercial gas cylinders priced at RM70.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry launched Ops Gasak, taking place from May 1 to Oct 31, to look into the misuse of subsidised LPG.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Petronas not exiting Canada, says group CEO
KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has reiterated that the company is not exiting Canada. 'Canada is not on our exit radar. We're not exiting Canada. We are constantly entertaining overtures and proposals. 'That is going to be the natural course of business and it (Canada) is a very resource-endowed geography,' president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz said at an editors' briefing here today. Tengku Muhammad Taufik said, in fact, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is coming on stream from Canada, with the first cargo in a couple of weeks. He said there will be a regular shipping out of LNG from Canada, which is at 25 per cent. 'We have 53 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of reserves. It is strategically positioned between that coast of Canada and Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and even China. 'Some other LNG routes are compromised by geopolitical hostility... That is another advantage. That was the rationale to do this. We built that node. We wanted to make sure it's strategically positioned, having locational advantage. Petronas hopes to have more engagements and constructive dialogues for the national oil firm to activate additional LNG leverage in Canada. 'We hope that the Canadian (new) government will be more appreciative and supportive of it becoming a new, cleaner energy source for the rest of the developing world,' he added. Tengku Muhammad Taufik stressed that it was crucial for Petronas to preserve its position in market share in the LNG space in Canada while also looking at how to build its upstream portfolio effectively. Responding on a question whether Petronas will look to liquidate some assets or diversify, Tengku Muhammad Taufik said Petronas would continue its asset rationalisation to keep its operations lean. He noted that the divestment exercise was done in Argentina as Petronas could not make its assets worked in the country and found an interested party to acquire them. In April this year, Buenos Aires-based Vista Energy has reportedly acquired Petronas' 50 per cent stake in the La Amarga Chica oil field in Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale basin for about US$1.5 billion (RM7.1 billion). The second-biggest crude oil producer in the area will pay US$900 million upfront for the stake, with one-third of that sum financed through a loan from Banco Santander SA, while the remainder will be paid in two instalments in 2029 and 2030.
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Small traders may use subsidised LPG until regulation amendments this October
Armizan says no legal action will be taken against this group of traders during the transition period. – Bernama photo PUTRAJAYA (June 5): Micro and small-scale traders in the food and beverage sector may continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a special permit until the amendments to the Control of Supplies Regulations (PPKB) 2021 are finalised this October. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said no legal action will be taken against this group of traders during the transition period. 'Small and micro food and beverage traders will be allowed to obtain supplies of subsidised LPG cylinders without the need for a scheduled controlled goods permit,' he told a press conference here. He said the Cabinet, in its meeting today, agreed to the ministry's proposal to amend the regulations, which initially came into effect on Oct 15, 2021, under the previous administration. Armizan added that the amendments would, among others, take into account the specific needs of micro and small-scale food and beverage traders, while also ensuring legal clarity in terms of compliance and enforcement. Armizan said the ministry aims to finalise the amendments once Op Gasak concludes on Oct 31. He added that enforcement against leakages involving illegal decanting activities and misuse by industrial users under Op Gasak would continue. 'The Op Gasak report will serve as a basis for us to determine the way forward in ensuring we have suitable legal provisions that are clear and take into account the needs of those providing services to the public, especially food and beverage businesses,' he said. He added that the amendment process will be coordinated through a technical committee established on May 1, chaired by the ministry's secretary-general, and involving relevant ministries and agencies. 'In addition to government representatives, we are also engaging a range of stakeholders. In fact, I will be holding an engagement session with 10 food and beverage business associations tomorrow. 'We welcome any proposals to ensure that these amendments are truly practical and beneficial for the intended target groups,' he said. The Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 limits the ownership and use of subsidised LPG exceeding 42 kilogrammes at any one time without a scheduled controlled goods permit. – Bernama amendments Armizan Mohd Ali Cabinet kpdn LPG cylinders regulations traders
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Industry association urges permanent LPG permit exemption for small businesses
KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) has urged the government to make permanent the exemption from the Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB) for micro and small-scale food and retail businesses using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). "We hope the amendments to the Control of Supplies Regulations 2021 will recognise the unique needs of micro and small enterprises and introduce a permanent exemption for those in essential sectors like food and retail. "At the very least, a simplified, tiered or digital-friendly permit process should be introduced," said its president Datuk William Ng today. Samenta welcomed the cabinet's move to exempt micro and small-scale businesses, describing it as a timely and much-needed relief for businesses grappling with rising operational costs and declining consumer spending. "Many of these businesses operate on thin margins, and the ability to continue accessing subsidised LPG without the added administrative burden of obtaining a PBKB helps ease pressure on both cost and compliance," Ng said. However, the group cautioned that reinstating the permit requirement in full could harm informal and micro businesses, which may struggle with the administrative process, including documentation and digital access. "It could also unintentionally drive some of them out of the formal supply chain or into non-compliance, creating enforcement challenges and disrupting livelihoods," he said. Ng also called on the government to strengthen engagement with industry bodies ahead of future policy changes. "We urge the government to ensure that future regulations consider the realities faced by smaller businesses, and to enhance consultation with industry groups like Samenta before implementation," he added. Earlier today, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the Cabinet had agreed that micro and small-scale food and retail businesses may continue using subsidised LPG cylinders without a PBKB until October. Armizan said that the exemption would remain in effect throughout the Ops Gasak enforcement period and until amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are finalised.
