PUTRAJAYA: Food traders will not be subjected to any enforcement action over the use of subsidised gas until October, nor will they require a permit for using more than 42kg of gas at a time, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said the Cabinet had agreed to review regulations related to traders' use of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders based on recommendations submitted by his ministry.
"No action will be taken against micro- and small-scale food and beverage traders for using subsidised LPG cylinders," he said during a press conference after a Cabinet meeting on Thursday (June 5).
The Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021, which came into force on Oct 15, 2021, limit the use of subsidised LPG to a maximum of 42kg at any one time for commercial purposes. Those exceeding this limit must obtain a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit and only use non-subsidised LPG.
There had been concerns that consumers would inevitably bear the brunt of the cost of operators using LPG at commercial prices.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong had urged for hawkers to be clearly informed if they could continue using subsidised LPG so food prices would not be raised.
Armizan said while amendments are being made to the regulations, traders could continue using subsidised LPG cylinders without requiring a controlled goods trading permit.
"The Cabinet also agreed with the recommendation for the review and amendment of the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021, to be coordinated by a technical committee by my ministry's secretary-general, involving relevant government ministries and agencies, as well as obtaining recommendations and views from various stakeholders," said Armizan.
He said that aside from government agencies, he would be meeting with 10 food and beverage associations.
"We welcome suggestions from all parties on how to ensure legal amendments are practical and effectively targeted," he said.
He added that the target to finalise the legislative amendments was be the conclusion of Ops Gasak on Oct 31.
"In addition to decanting (transferring gas from subsidised LPG cylinders to non-subsidised ones), activities, we also want to address leakages in industrial usage," he said, adding that Ops Gasak would continue to address these two issues.
Ops Gasak, which runs from May 1 to Oct 31, aims to curb illegal activities such as decanting, smuggling, and the misuse of subsidised LPG by medium and large-scale industries.
