logo
BTH: Op Gasak, LPG subsidy & SMEs demand clarity [WATCH]

BTH: Op Gasak, LPG subsidy & SMEs demand clarity [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: A nationwide crackdown on the misuse of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has sparked growing concern among Malaysia's small business community, as food stall operators, laundrettes, and retailers brace for rising costs and stricter enforcement.
Launched on May 1, Ops Gasak — short for Operasi Gas Memasak — is an aggressive enforcement campaign by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, aimed at clamping down on illegal decanting, smuggling, and the misuse of household LPG in commercial and industrial settings.
While micro and small-scale traders have been granted temporary relief, allowing them to continue using subsidised LPG without permits until October 31, the broader enforcement push remains firmly focused on larger-scale abuse and non-compliant industrial users.
Joining Beyond the Headlines to weigh in on the implications is SME Association of Malaysia president Dr Chin Chee Seong, as the government doubles down on its pledge to ensure LPG subsidies are used appropriately and not exploited at the expense of taxpayers or honest traders.
As the situation evolves, small businesses are encouraged to stay informed about regulatory changes and participate in stakeholder engagement sessions to voice their concerns and suggestions.
More in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines. Watch on NST Online's YouTube channel.
This episode was recorded on Jun 5

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fomca lauds new 'B40-friendly' electricity tariffs
Fomca lauds new 'B40-friendly' electricity tariffs

The Star

time9 hours ago

  • The Star

Fomca lauds new 'B40-friendly' electricity tariffs

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) has expressed full support for the implementation of the new electricity tariff structure under Regulatory Period 4 (RP4). The new tariffs will take effect from July 1, 2025, to Dec 31, 2027, under the Incentive-Based Regulation (IBR) framework. Describing it as timely, progressive and beneficial for Malaysian households, Fomca chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan said the new tariffs reflects a fairer and more transparent energy pricing system. "This initiative comes at a crucial time when many households are facing financial pressures due to inflation and the rising cost of living," he said. Saravanan said the revised tariff structure reduces the average base tariff from 45.62 sen/kWh to 45.40 sen/kWh, contributing to an estimated 19% reduction in total average electricity costs compared to the previous regulatory period. Although the rate cut may appear marginal, he said it is supported by structural reforms that provide greater protection to domestic consumers, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups. Saravanan said the introduction of the "Energy Efficiency Incentive" allows households that consume 1,000 kWh or less per month to avoid any tariff increase, thereby rewarding energy-efficient users and encouraging responsible consumption. "The updated structure also includes a more detailed billing system, with breakdowns of energy generation, network usage, capacity charges, and retail costs. "This level of transparency empowers consumers to understand their bills better and provides clarity on how costs are derived," he said. The expanded "Time of Use" scheme now includes weekends and off-peak weekday hours from 10pm to 2pm the next day, enabling consumers to enjoy further savings by shifting high-usage activities to these periods. Fomca also welcomed continued protection for vulnerable groups, including a RM40 monthly rebate for hardcore poor households under the e-Kasih programme, and dedicated tariffs for the agriculture, water, sanitation, and rail sectors. A 10% rebate for educational institutions, places of worship, and registered welfare homes will also remain in place. Saravanan said the replacement of the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through mechanism with the new Automatic Fuel Adjustment system would enhance price responsiveness to global fuel and currency movements. He however stressed the need for clear communication on any resulting price changes. He urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to step up enforcement against unjustified price hikes in essential goods that may be triggered by the tariff adjustment. "Fomca will continue to monitor the implementation closely and advocate for ongoing consumer engagement, education and regulatory enforcement to maximise the impact of this policy reform," he said. The Energy Commission on Friday (June 20) announced that starting July 1, 2025, over 23.6 million domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia will benefit from fairer and more progressive electricity rates under the newly approved tariff schedule for Regulatory Period 4 (2025-2027). This includes changes to the average base tariff rate, the tariff structure and the fuel cost adjustment mechanism, implemented under the Incentive-Based Regulation framework. – Bernama

Mobile Rahmah Sale At Bawang Assan Community Hall Tomorrow
Mobile Rahmah Sale At Bawang Assan Community Hall Tomorrow

Barnama

time10 hours ago

  • Barnama

Mobile Rahmah Sale At Bawang Assan Community Hall Tomorrow

SIBU, June 20 (Bernama) -- The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) in Sibu will organise a mobile Rahmah Sale at the Bawang Assan Community Hall, here, tomorrow (Saturday, June 21). Irene Wong, special assistant to Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew, said the mobile sale will offer a variety of selected daily necessities at special prices to reduce the burden on the people's cost of living. 'The sale has received overwhelming response from the community as it directly benefits consumers by offering quality goods at lower prices,' she said in a statement today.

Turkish competition authority launches probe into Google's PMAX
Turkish competition authority launches probe into Google's PMAX

The Star

time11 hours ago

  • The Star

Turkish competition authority launches probe into Google's PMAX

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkey's antitrust authority will launch a probe into Google's Performance Max (PMAX) to determine if the AI-powered ad campaign product violates competition laws, it said on Friday. In a statement, the competition board said the probe will examine whether Google has engaged in unfair practices against advertisers and if it has hindered competition through data consolidation with PMAX. Google's Performance Max uses AI and automatically finds the best placements for a brand's ads across Google services including email, search and YouTube. (Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Joe Bavier)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store