It's a gas-tronomic issue
Stark difference: The subsidised LPG gas cylinder seen here costs RM26 while a commercial variation is priced at RM70.
Eatery owners want more clarity over rules on LPG use
PETALING JAYA: A switch to commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by hawkers could lead to consumers having to pay higher food prices, says the Petaling Jaya Coffeeshop Association.
'We do not want to pass down any cost as it does not solve any problem.
'At the end of the day, we will lose customers. People will eat out less due to smaller spending power and ultimately, the impact comes back to us,' said association president Keu Kok Meng.
A subsidised LPG gas cylinder costs RM26. But the commercial variation is priced at RM70, which means an almost three times increase in cost.
The controversy over LPG emerged when the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry began Ops Gasak from May 1 to Oct 31 to look into the misuse of subsidised LPG.
According to the ministry, LPG subsidies is intended for households. It is not a trade or commercial subsidy. But any party is allowed to use a maximum of 42kg (three cylinders of 14kg size) at any one time without requiring a permit.
However, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has highlighted a PETRONAS directive dated April 30 that gas dealers should stop selling 12kg and 14kg subsidised LPG cylinders to commercial premises such as restaurants, hawkers stalls and mamak shops.
The matter had led to anxiety among small traders and hawkers, Dr Wee said, adding that they should be given an assurance that they can continue using subsidised LPG.
Keu told a press conference yesterday that it had been a tough time for hawkers.
Taking into account the cost of commercially priced LPG, he said a bowl of noodles could go up by more than RM1.
Citing the example of a stall selling prawn noodles and using two subsidised gas cylinders a day amounting to RM52, Keu said a switch to commercial gas would mean that the cost would be RM140 instead.
He claimed that enforcement officers carrying out Ops Gasak had taken action against a place in Setia Alam, Selangor, although the ministry had previously explained that the inspections of food and beverage outlets are conducted as an 'advocacy' move.
'It is stressful to hear about seizures being made,' he said, adding that there should be clarity about Ops Gasak.
Keu said they had written to various stakeholders on this issue including the ministry, MPs and MCA leaders.
Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, who was present at the press conference yesterday, said he had sought clarification on the matter from the Selangor office of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
He also proposed the ministry consult stakeholders like food courts, restaurants and coffeeshop operators, as well as MPs, before implementing such measures.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
6 hours 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
6 hours 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.
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Barnama
Traders May Use Subsidised LPG Until Regulation Amendments Finalised
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, June 5 (Bernama) -- 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.
