Get ready to pay more at eateries
PETALING JAYA: Consumers will ultimately have to bear the cost as all eateries, including hawker stalls, are now required to use the 14kg commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).
The MCA president said the use of the commercial cylinder is costlier by 170% compared with the household subsidised gas cylinder sold at just RM26.
He said the cost of preparing food will be directly affected with the increase in the price of gas.
'What does the 170% increase have to do with the cost of living?
'If you want to eat rice or noodles, you have to cook it first. To cook, you need fire. For fire, you need gas. If the price of gas goes up, then the price of food will also go up.
'Who has to bear this price increase? The answer, of course, is consumers,' said the Ayer Hitam MP in a video posted on social media yesterday.
He added that traders also need a permit if they use more than three 14kg LPG cylinders a month, and failing which, are subject to action under Op Gasak by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
According to Dr Wee, there was no need to be too strict on small-time food vendors who barely earn enough to make ends meet.
He questioned why the government is unable to provide subsidies to small traders despite being the world's fifth largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.
'What is the point of billions of investments if we cannot cover gas subsidies, said to be RM3.4bil in 2024?
'What is the point of increasing the Sales and Service Tax (SST) rate from 6% to 8% if the revenue collected is not returned to the people through subsidies?' he added.
As of May 1, eateries, including hawker stalls, will be required to use the 14kg purple-coloured commercial gas cylinders priced at RM70.
The ministry also launched Op Gasak to combat any misuse of subsidised LPG and has so far made seizures amounting to RM883,000.
On May 23, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the LPG subsidy cost the government RM3.4bil.
He said that premises using more than three commercial gas cylinders must apply for a permit under the regulations of the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Act 2021.
The government had planned the switch to commercial gas in 2019 but postponed its enforcement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
2nd phase of Beras Melaka distribution to begin in July
JASIN: The second phase of Beras Melaka distribution is expected to begin in July, with retail sales through outlets under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama). Melaka Fama director Nor Azhar Abdul Hamid said 4,000 packs of rice will be offered to the public in this phase, matching the amount distributed during the first rollout. "We aim to gradually increase the quantity, but it will depend on the harvest season and the size of the padi fields in Melaka. "Each distribution phase takes about three to four months, as it relies on the rice harvesting cycle," he told reporters at the Semarak Aidiladha 1446H Special Sales Programme at the Jasin Farmers' Market here today. During the first phase, 4,000 packs of Beras Melaka were sold at RM26 each for a 10kg pack. Designated Fama retail points for the rice include farmers' markets (pasar tani), Agrobazaar Kedai Rakyat, the Agro Madani Sales Programme, and the People's Representative for the People (WRUR) initiative.
Borneo Post
5 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Call for State autonomy against unfair gas cylinder rules
David Ong KOTA KINABALU (June 4): Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President David Ong strongly urges the Sabah State Government to exercise its constitutional autonomy and refrain from implementing the Federal Government's new gas cylinder regulations that burden small business operators and the rakyat. Under the new regulation, eateries are required to switch from subsidized household gas cylinders priced at RM26 to commercial purple cylinders costing RM70 — a staggering 169% increase. For small restaurant operators using 100 cylinders per month, this translates into a monthly cost jump from RM2,600 to RM7,000 — a crippling RM4,400 rise. This measure comes at a time when businesses are already struggling with compounding cost pressures from SST hikes, rising electricity tariffs, and the minimum wage adjustment to RM1,700. Ong stressed that Sabah is one of Malaysia's largest natural gas producing States, contributing significantly to the nation's energy wealth. It is fundamentally unjust for the Federal Government to supply gas at higher costs to the very state that produces this resource. Current evidence shows East Malaysian consumers already face price discrimination. Gas cylinder deposits cost RM90 in Sabah/Sarawak compared to RM80 in Peninsular Malaysia – highlighting an ongoing pattern of inequitable treatment. 'We urge the Sabah State Government to utilize its constitutional powers to safeguard the welfare of its people from federal policies that disproportionately affect Sabahans. The State should immediately pursue special arrangements with the Federal Government to secure preferential pricing for gas used in Sabah, just as East Malaysians have been granted continued diesel subsidies in recognition of regional cost differences,' Ong said in a statement. Additionally, he said the State should implement targeted exemptions or support schemes to protect hawkers, coffeeshops, and small eateries until a fair and regionally appropriate policy is established. Sabah inherently faces higher transportation and distribution costs due to its geography and limited supply networks. At the same time, many food operators here earn less than their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia yet bear higher operational costs, he pointed out. Despite these disadvantages, he said Sabah continues to contribute significantly to Malaysia's gas revenue via royalties and taxes — yet receives no preferential benefit. This disparity must end. 'The burden of rising gas prices will inevitably lead to higher food costs, hurting all Sabahans — particularly low-income families and threatening the viability of small eateries. The timing of enforcement under 'Operation Gasak' is especially insensitive, as it comes during a period of widespread economic strain. 'I call upon the GRS Government to defend the interests of Sabahans by exercising the State's rightful autonomy. Such powers exist precisely to counter federal policies that fail to reflect the realities and challenges of Sabah. 'Sabah must not be punished for being a gas-producing State. We demand fair treatment and urge immediate action to suspend the implementation of these regulations in Sabah until just and practical solutions are put in place,' Ong added.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Second phase of Beras Melaka distribution to begin in July- FAMA
JASIN: The second phase of Beras Melaka distribution is expected to begin in July, with retail sales through outlets under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA). Melaka FAMA director Nor Azhar Abdul Hamid said 4,000 packs of rice will be offered to the public in this phase, matching the amount distributed during the first rollout. 'We aim to gradually increase the quantity, but it will depend on the harvest season and the size of the padi fields in Melaka. 'Each distribution phase takes about three to four months, as it relies on the rice harvesting cycle,' he told reporters at the Semarak Aidiladha 1446H Special Sales Programme at the Jasin Farmers' Market here today. During the first phase, 4,000 packs of Beras Melaka were sold at RM26 each for a 10-kilogramme pack. Designated FAMA retail points for the rice include farmers' markets (pasar tani), Agrobazaar Kedai Rakyat, the Agro MADANI Sales Programme, and the People's Representative for the People (WRUR) initiative.
