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Free Malaysia Today
13 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Let laundromats use subsidised gas tanks too, group urges govt
Using commercial LPG cylinders will add to the financial pressure faced by laundromats, said the Malay Unified Laundry Association. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A group representing laundromat operators has urged the government to allow them to use subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, in addition to micro- and small-sized food and beverage traders. The Malay Unified Laundry Association (Mula) said it was disappointed that the domestic trade and cost of living ministry's review of 2021 regulations pertaining to LPG cylinders was only focused on these F&B traders. It said the laundromat subsector mostly comprised small- and medium-sized enterprises that depend on the subsidised gas tanks for their dryers. This applied to both on-premise or coin-operated laundromats. 'Using commercial LPG cylinders will add to the financial pressure faced by laundromat operators who generally only serve domestic users. 'Also, most of them are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and face other increases in operational costs,' it said in a statement. The association suggested that the ministry engage industry players to get a clear picture of their situation, saying an inclusive policy regarding LPG cylinders would benefit everyone. Currently, any business using over 42kg of LPG at any one time must apply for a scheduled controlled goods permit. Yesterday, domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said the Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 will be reviewed with a focus on the needs of micro- and small-sized F&B businesses, and to ensure clarity regarding the regulation. Until the review is finalised, no legal action will be taken against micro- and small-sized businesses in the F&B sector regarding the use of subsidised cooking gas tanks. However, the ministry will continue to combat the illegal use of subsidised LPG cylinders by non-eligible industries and the decanting of gas from subsidised cylinders to non-subsidised ones before being sold at a profit. Commercial LPG cylinders cost nearly RM70 each – almost three times the rate of subsidised gas tanks.
Malaysiakini
07-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Laundry operators urge govt to postpone 'Ops Gasak' enforcement
Laundry operators urged the government to defer the enforcement of 'Ops Gasak' over the use of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) until an engagement session is held with industry players and a mutual agreement is reached. Malay Unified Laundry Association (Mula) chairperson Zarina Ismail said laundry operators depended on subsidised LPG for business, and were at risk of shutting down due to their inability to absorb the steep rise in costs...
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Laundry operators call for one-year moratorium on LPG subsidy removal
KUALA LUMPUR: Laundry operators have called on the government to impose a one-year moratorium on the removal of subsidised LPG under Ops Gasak, which began on May 1. They said that this delay is necessary to assess the potential consequences on businesses and to ensure a balanced solution that protects both operators and consumers. The Malay Unified Laundry Association (Mula), along with the Malaysia Laundry Association (MLA) and the Self-Service Laundry Operators Association (PPDLDM) in a joint statement said their members depend on subsidised LPG for their business. "The subsidy removal, enforced through Ops Gasak which prohibits the use of subsidised LPG in non-domestic premises including laundries, has made it mandatory for operators to switch to commercial LPG, which costs approximately 2.5 times more than subsidised LPG. "This sharp increase in fuel costs has had a significant impact on the viability of operations," Mula President Zarina Ismail said. The small and medium-sized laundry operators lack the financial capacity of larger businesses to absorb this cost hike without raising service prices, she said. "This could adversely affect their competitiveness and may even lead to business closures if appropriate adjustments are not made," Zarina warned. Hence, industry players have called on the authorities to implement a one-year moratorium on enforcement to allow for a comprehensive review. They also urged for a suspension of enforcement actions on the laundry sector until a mutual agreement is reached and to allow laundries to continue using subsidised LPG. Earlier it warned that consumers are expected to pay more for laundry services after operators across Malaysia decided to raise prices in response to a steep hike in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) costs. Regular washing services are expected to increase to RM10 from RM7 per kilogramme, while dry-cleaning for items such as shirts may rise to RM15 or RM16 from RM12 each. Persatuan Pengusaha Dobi Melayu (Mula) secretary-general Mohd Hafizul Razali said the shift to commercial LPG, priced at around RM65 to RM70 for a 14kg cylinder, represents an increase of more than two and a half times the previous subsidised rate of RM27 to RM30. "Whether we like it or not, laundry operators now have no choice but to adjust prices," he told NST, adding that industry players cannot absorb the cost increase.
