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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
SME group: Op Gasak enforcement poorly communicated to businesses [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Association of Malaysia has raised concerns over the lack of early and clear communication regarding Op Gasak, an ongoing operation targeting misuse of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), saying it has left many small traders confused and anxious. Its president, Dr Chin Chee Seong, said the enforcement move, which involves scrutiny of gas usage and permits, was not properly communicated to industry players, particularly micro and small enterprises. "There may have been official dissemination of information, but nothing was directly conveyed to us or to other associations that represent small businesses," he told the NST's Beyond the Headlines. Chin said the operation's name itself — Op Gasak — was vague and raised more questions than answers. "Some SMEs are unsure if this is a swift government action or a harsh crackdown. When it involves subsidies, especially for gas, it's a sensitive issue for micro enterprises. Many of them aren't even classified as SMEs officially, yet they are affected." He said small traders were confused about compliance requirements, particularly the cap on subsidised gas cylinders. "Many of them didn't even know that after using three 14kg domestic cylinders, they must switch to the commercial 50kg tank — which costs almost double at RM70, even though it's the same gas," he said. While these regulations have existed for some time, Chin said they were not widely communicated because enforcement was previously lax. "Now, with stricter enforcement under Op Gasak, many feel blindsided. Different media sources have shared conflicting information, which contradicts what the ministry announced. This inconsistency has made things worse," he added. He called on authorities to engage more closely with business associations to ensure clearer communication in future. "When we're not engaged, we're confused too — and we don't know how to advise our members. There have been too many new policies recently that were rushed without proper consultation," he said. Op Gasak, which runs from May 1 to Oct 31, aims to curb illegal activities such as decanting (transferring gas from subsidised LPG cylinders to non-subsidised ones), smuggling, and the misuse of subsidised LPG by medium and large-scale industrial sectors. Eateries, including hawker stalls, will be required to use the 14kg purple-coloured commercial gas cylinders priced at RM70. On Thursday, however, the government announced that micro and small-scale food and retail businesses may continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB) until October. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said 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
27-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Digital Innovation Part Of ASEAN 2045
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- ASEAN is reinforcing its commitment to a seamlessly connected region through the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan, which now places digital innovation and technology adoption at the heart of its long-term goals. According to the Plan, the strategic goal for digital innovation is to achieve a community with continuous digital innovation and enhanced cybersecurity, advancing payments and financial markets' connectivity and efficient cross-border flow of information. 'ASEAN's digital economy is growing rapidly, and to unlock the region's digital economic potential and promote digital inclusion, adopting and integrating frontier technologies – such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and big data – is essential. 'While technologies and solutions offer significant benefits, their implementation poses challenges, including widening digital divide and increasing online safety and cybersecurity concerns, which will need to be addressed through advancing digital innovation, cross-border data flows, and promoting safe, inclusive access to and adoption of digital technologies and services,' it stated. Digital innovation is one of six strategic areas of the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan, which envisages connecting ASEAN by enhancing the physical, institutional, and people-to-people linkages across the region. The other five strategic areas are sustainable infrastructure, smart and sustainable urban development, seamless logistics and supply chain, regulatory excellence and cooperation, and people-to-people connectivity, which are also crafted to support the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. In pursuing these goals, several strategic measures have been identified, including promoting digital data governance to support inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development across ASEAN; promoting the development of and improving the use and accessibility of open data; and supporting the adoption of existing and emerging technologies by all people and businesses, with the focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs), women, youth, and persons with disabilities to enhance competitiveness and productivity. Other strategies include advancing seamless regional payments connectivity; enhancing collaborative research and development of digital technology; strengthening cooperation on cybersecurity measures to protect digital ecosystems, enhance online safety, combat online scams, and enhance trust in digital services, including use of online security technologies and applications. Also enhancing information inclusiveness and accessibility and strengthening collaboration in digital media and information literacy to foster digital literacy among ASEAN citizens and address fake news, disinformation, and misinformation; and strengthening and nurturing digital talent mobility in ASEAN.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Chandrababu Naidu virtually inaugurates 11 MSME parks, lays foundation stone for 39 more
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday virtually inaugurated 11 MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) parks, including one at Narampet village in Atmakur mandal of SPSR Nellore district, where he unveiled the pylon along with other Ministers and local leaders. He also laid the foundation stone virtually for 39 MSME parks in the State. All together, these 50 MSME parks would be developed with an investment of ₹592 crore. The State government would create at least one MSME park in each constituency. In the first phase, the MSME parks would be developed in 40 constituencies with an investment of ₹2,000 crore, said Mr. Naidu, giving a call to people of the State to set up new industries. 'The NDA government's main goal is to create an entrepreneur in every household. The MSME parks are developed with plug-and-play facilities. We will provide electricity, sheds, and all other basic infrastructure. Anyone can directly come forward to set up a factory. By FY 2027–28, 15,000 MSME units will be established, creating 2 lakh jobs in the State,' Mr. Naidu said. 'We are committed to providing jobs to 20 lakh people. Large-scale investments are coming into the State due to the trust in the government, generating employment for youth. The MLAs should take responsibility for creating jobs in their constituencies. Even farmers can set up MSME parks. The government will give the necessary approvals,' the Chief Minister said. He said nano parks could be set up in the land up to an extent of 10 acres, the MSME parks might come up between 10 and 100 acres of land, and major parks in more than 100 acres. Women should also become industrialists and become financially empowered, the Chief Minister said, reiterating his ambition to create one entrepreneur from each family. MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas said the government's goal was to develop 175 MSME parks in 175 constituencies in the State and provide employment opportunities to lakhs of youth by setting up industries. As part of this, the inauguration ceremony of 11 MSME parks developed in the State and the inauguration of 39 MSME parks was held. He said that these parks were being developed on about 1,500 acres at a cost of ₹592 crore. The establishment of these parks would provide direct employment opportunities to 50,000 people and indirect employment opportunities to one lakh people. The establishment of these parks had taken a powerful step towards achieving Swarnandhra, he added. Industries Minister T.G. Bharath said having confidence on the vision of the Chief Minister, many industrialists were coming forward to invest in the State. The State witnessed an overall investment of ₹8.5 lakh crore in 10 months because of a brand called 'Chandrababu Naidu', he added.
