Make sure you've done your research before pointing fingers, Wee tells Armizan
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has called on Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali to provide evidence supporting his claim that Wee was involved in approving the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021.
In a video posted on Facebook today, Wee strongly refuted Armizan's statement and demanded proof for the allegation.
"I have reviewed the parliamentary Hansard and the relevant bill to confirm which section mentions that a permit is required for using more than three cylinders of subsidised gas.
"Furthermore, are food and beverage businesses actually prohibited from using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)?" he asked.
Previously, the media reported that Armizan had reminded Wee to review the regulations that were enacted when the former transport minister was in the cabinet.
Armizan was quoted as saying that the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 — which stipulate that any party using more than 42kg of LPG is required to apply for a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit — had already been enforced since Oct 15, 2021, under the previous administration when Wee was a member of the cabinet.
Wee demanded that Armizan issue an apology for alleging his involvement in approving regulations related to supply control while he was in the cabinet in 2021.
The Ayer Hitam member of parliament said that based on a review of the 2021 parliamentary Hansard, the amendment at the time was solely aimed at granting broader enforcement powers to officers of the then Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
He said the amendment to the Control of Supplies Act (Amendment) 2021 was never intended to regulate the use of subsidised LPG.
"I reviewed every line in the Hansard of the Dewan Rakyat during the debate, where MPs from constituencies such as Jempol, Bayan Baru, Pasir Gudang, Jelutong, Kota Melaka, Bukit Bendera, Pokok Sena, and Sepang presented their arguments.
"However, not a single MP at the time raised the issue of requiring a permit for three cylinders of subsidised LPG, nor did anyone discuss the commercial use of LPG by food outlets," he said.
He said then Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, in his reply in parliament in March 2022, also made no mention of any regulation concerning subsidised gas cylinders.
"Datuk Armizan, why fabricate stories and make baseless accusations against me?
"You weren't even in the Dewan Rakyat at the time, but you can always check the Hansard.
"Do your homework before accusing me.
"You're being unfair to me, you know? Or at the very least, just call Nanta to get confirmation.
"Surely you have his phone number? If not, I can give it to you," he said.
Wee said Armizan should not have accused him of being involved in the amendment related to the requirement for storing more than three cylinders of subsidised LPG and questioned the accuracy of the minister's source of information.
He said the regulation concerning the use of subsidised LPG cylinders not exceeding 42kg might merely be an internal directive or administrative instruction from the ministry, and not part of the 2021 amendment.
Wee said the law was never enforced until it was first implemented under the Pakatan Harapan 1.0 administration in 2019, before being revived again through Op Gasak this year.
He said Armizan should issue an apology for the confusion and the allegations made against him.
"You (Armizan) owe me an apology for your mistake.
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