Fuziah: Gas tank ops to collect data, not to penalise

JOHOR BARU: No enforcement action will be taken under Ops Gasak against micro businesses such as self-service laundromats and small eateries until the end of the operation, says the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
This follows confusion and concern among traders who rely on subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in their operations.
Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh (pic) said the presence of enforcement officers at premises was solely to collect data and feedback, which will later be presented to the Cabinet as part of a review of the Supply Control Regula­tions (Amend­ment) 2021.
'I want to stress that no action will be taken against small food stalls, roadside traders or self-service laundromats until Ops Gasak concludes on Oct 31.
'When our enforcement team is on the ground, they are mainly there to gather data. Even stakeholder engagement sessions are part of our process to understand LPG usage and its implications for end users.
'The engagement session is valuable because it gives traders a chance to ask questions and raise concerns about licensing,' Fuziah said at a press conference after attending a meeting with Johor LPG industry stakeholders held at a hotel here yesterday.
She said the reason Ops Gasak was enforced since May 1 was because subsidised LPG was being misused by some ineligible commercial sectors, particularly hotels.
'I personally visited hotel laundry areas where subsidised gas was used to wash towels and bedsheets. This is an example of leakage.
'We guarantee that enforcement will not be taken if subsidised LPG is used by micro traders until Oct 31. Once we complete the data collection, it will be tabled as recommendations for policy consideration,' Fuziah said.
She added that the Cabinet had agreed to revisit the amendments to the Supply Control Regulations, but no final decision has been made.
'So again, I want to emphasise – no action will be taken against stalls, roadside traders or laundromats until Ops Gasak ends, and a clearer direction is determined,' she said.
However, Fuziah reminded business owners that those storing more than three cylinders of subsidised LPG must still apply for a permit for safety reasons.
Ops Gasak was launched on May 1 to tackle the misuse and diversion of subsidised LPG cylinders, especially involving medium- and large-scale industry players.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Star

40 minutes 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

Barnama

an hour 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.

Malaysian Reserve

4 hours ago

• Malaysian Reserve

Senior pol-sec: Appointments to fill two vacant Cabinet posts is PM'S prerogative

PASIR PUTEH — The new appointments to fill the two vacant Cabinet posts left by PKR leaders, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, fall entirely under the jurisdiction of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, according to his Senior Political Secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. Speaking to reporters after officiating the 68th Annual General Meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kamil here, Shamsul Iskandar said that decisions regarding Cabinet composition are solely the Prime Minister's prerogative. 'All decisions regarding the Cabinet rest with the Prime Minister. We must give him the necessary space and time to assemble the most effective line-up to continue governing the country, and that decision must be respected,' he said. Commenting further on Rafizi's decision not to return to Cabinet, Shamsul said the former Economy Minister's choice should be accepted by all quarters. 'I believe Rafizi's decision must be respected. If he has made up his mind, that's his right,' he said. On the status of Nik Nazmi as Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Shamsul Iskandar clarified that Nik Nazmi is currently on leave. 'Let's wait. He is still on leave and we'll see how things develop,' he added. On May 28, Anwar said that he had received official letters from both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi requesting leave and to step down from their Cabinet posts, effective June 17 and July 4, respectively, following their defeat in the recent party polls. Rafizi failed to defend his seat as PKR deputy president after losing the contest to Nurul Izzah Anwar, while Nik Nazmi lost the election for the post of vice-president. — BERNAMA