Latest news with #JuhaidiYeanAbdullah
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Traders welcome postponement
PETALING JAYA: The postponement of the enforcement on food traders using subsidised gas and the permit application requirement has been welcomed as a move that will give small businesses some breathing room. These businesses had been left confused over the ruling which mandates that any trader using more than 42kg of gas at 'any one time' has to apply for a permit and may not use subsidised gas. Many small traders use one tank or two tanks at a time but may have another one or two on standby. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said yesterday that micro and small-scale food and beverage traders will be exempt from enforcement of the rules under Ops Gasak. The Cabinet had agreed to review regulations related to traders' use of subsidised LPG cylinders, based on recommendations submitted by his ministry, yesterday. Putrajaya Hawkers and Small Traders Association Juhaidi Yean Abdullah said every 20% increase in essential goods across the board will directly cause 5% of small traders to go out of business. 'When the cost of any essential goods increases, it has a direct impact on the members, that's how sensitive the situation is. 'The government can give aid to the public but they don't realise the people end up spending more because of rulings like this, so it essentially becomes a cycle,' he noted. 'Think about canteen food – what used to cost RM1 will cost RM1.50 or more, so parents have to increase the school lunch money. 'I am wondering if they had asked the stakeholders before they came up with the decision,' Juhaidi added. Petaling Jaya Coffeeshop Association president Keu Kok Meng hailed the exemption as a good move. 'Of course, it makes sense to allow small-scale operators to use the subsidised gas. But sooner or later, the government must announce in a proper manner whether to minimise the price of the non-subsidised gas. 'If they want us to use the commercial gas, please reconsider the price, which is too high,' he said. The subsidised gas costs RM26 while the commercial ones go for RM70. Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association president Govindasamy Jayabalan wanted a longer postponement of implementation of commercial gas usage – for up to two years. This, he said, would give time for restaurant owners to adjust pricing. 'The temporary postponement is good, but we hope they can extend it to two years so people can be informed about the situation and accept the price increase. 'Gas is extremely essential in the food business. There is already a lot of price increases, like chicken and eggs. We cannot be running on losses,' he said. In response to the shift to commercial cylinder usage, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong reminded the government that customers will have to fork out more for food at eateries. He also dismissed the need for a permit for LPG cylinders, stating that there was no need to be strict on small-time food vendors who barely earn enough to make ends meet. As of May 1, eateries, including hawker stalls, have been required to use commercial gas cylinders priced at RM70. The ruling was passed in 2019 but the enforcement began last month.
Malay Mail
19-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Putrajaya traders get smarter tools as Penjaya, DOSM roll out data-driven platform
PUTRAJAYA, May 19 — The Putrajaya Hawkers and Small Traders Association (Penjaya) has launched its first official website and digital dashboard, offering real-time data to help its 320 members make smarter business decisions and engage more effectively with local authorities. Developed together with the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Penjaya president Juhaidi Yean Abdullah said the platform features real-time data that allows faster engagement with local authorities, better planning, and wider promotion opportunities for traders. 'This initiative helps us move towards a more professional and data-driven approach,' he said in his speech at the launch of Penjaya dashboard at the Hotel Park Inn By Radisson here. Juhaidi said the website marks a new chapter for the association, which was formally registered in 2012 and now represents over 320 members in Putrajaya, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur. The six-month collaboration with DOSM involved census methods, consultations, and data validation processes, resulting in what Penjaya describes as a credible and reliable database of its members. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the dashboard could also be used to design more targeted development and intervention programmes, particularly for youth groups. 'Data on age, education level, and business location can be used to plan entrepreneurship training, start-up assistance, and short-term support that is more accurately tailored to actual needs on the ground,' he said in a press conference. When asked if the initiative would be expanded to traders nationwide, Mohd Uzir said this is currently in the planning stages. In the same press conference, National Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders of Malaysia president Datuk Zainal Abidin Abdul Majid said the biggest advantage is that entrepreneurs can now request government assistance with a clear and accurate budget. 'For example, in the past, when applying for funding through the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development, we could only estimate the amount needed. 'But if we have accurate statistics, say each trader needs RM1,000 and there are 500 traders, then we know we need exactly RM500,000. It becomes precise and data-driven,' he added.
