BUTTERWORTH: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has detected 52 cases of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) misappropriation by industry players since the launch of Ops Gasak on May 1, involving seizures totalling RM850,730.
Its Deputy Minister, Dr Fuziah Salleh, said this involved inspections at 1,421 premises nationwide as of May 14, with Penang alone recording 11 cases on Thursday (May 15).
She said the offences included premises storing and using LPG without valid permits and wholesalers supplying subsidised LPG to unlicensed entities.
“Without a permit, they cannot supply LPG, let alone subsidised LPG. That's a more serious offence, and in such cases, there is no excuse. As industry players, they are expected to understand and comply with guidelines before starting a business.
"We will investigate and take strict action under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 and the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011," she said at a press conference on Ops Gasak, here on Friday (May 16).
Earlier, Fuziah and the ministry's Penang team raided three premises providing laundry services for hospitals and hotels in Seberang Perai. They found that the premises were storing and using LPG without valid permits.
Fuziah further stated that the offences were not only viewed from the legal perspective but also involved safety concerns, as LPG is highly flammable and improper storage could pose significant risks not only to the premises but also to the public.
She said any premises intending to store LPG must apply for a permit, depending on the quantity needed, and obtain approvals from relevant authorities, such as the Fire and Rescue Department.
Since the announcement of Ops Gasak, she said the ministry has received numerous inquiries and engagement requests, particularly from laundry operators, indicating that they are aware of their obligations to comply with the law.
"That's why the ministry is pushing forward with this operation and will continue with engagement sessions. Some operators have even emailed me to request meetings and discussions, especially self-service laundromats," she added.
Ops Gasak, which was launched on May 1, will run until Oct 31 to address the misuse and misappropriation of subsidised LPG across the country, with a special focus on monitoring industrial sector usage. – Bernama
