PUTRAJAYA: The makciks and uncles selling nasi lemak, pisang goreng and fried koay teow by the streets and in night markets need not worry.
Small and micro-scale food and beverage traders will be exempted from enforcement measures under the ongoing Ops Gasak.
“No action will be taken against these traders in relation to the use of subsidised LPG cylinders for the needs of their businesses,” says Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (pic).
He said the Cabinet has agreed to review the regulations on the use of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders by such traders.
This decision was based on the recommendations submitted by his ministry, he told reporters after a post-Cabinet meeting yesterday.
The Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021, which came into force on Oct 15, 2021, limits the use of subsidised LPG to a maximum of 42kg at any one time for commercial purposes.
Any shop exceeding this limit must obtain a permit and switch to non-subsidised LPG.
Ops Gasak, which began on May 1 until Oct 31, is meant to curb illegal activities such as decanting (transferring gas from subsidised LPG cylinders to non-subsidised ones), smuggling, and the misuse of subsidised LPG by medium and large-scale industrial sectors.
During this period, Armizan said micro and small-scale food and beverage traders are allowed to obtain the subsidised LPG cylinders without requiring a permit for controlled goods trading.
“No legal action will be taken for the time being. Small and micro-scale food traders are not required to apply for permits until the legislation is finalised,” he said.
The amendments would take into account the needs of micro and small-scale food and beverage traders in a targeted manner and establish legal clarity to ensure effective compliance and enforcement.
“The Cabinet agreed with the recommendation for a review and amendment of the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021.
“It is to be coordinated by a technical committee by my ministry’s secretary-general, involving relevant government ministries and agencies,” Armizan said, adding that views would be sought from various stakeholders.
Aside from the government agencies, he said he would meet with 10 food and beverage associations.
“Besides engaging with individual traders, we welcome suggestions from all parties who may have proposals on how to ensure that any legal amendments are practical and effectively targeted,” he said.
Asked if there is any timeline to conclude the amendments, Armizan said: “Our target is to finalise the proposed legislative amendments when Ops Gasak concludes on Oct 31.”
He explained that this was due to the need to address issues related to decanting and leakages in industrial usage.
Ops Gasak would still proceed to check on those two issues, he added.
Several eateries association and MCA have been voicing their concerns that consumers will have to pay more for their food if these small business operators end up having to use commercial LPG in their operations.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong had urged the authorities to give assurance to the hawkers that they could continue using subsidised LPG so that the patrons would not end up having to pay the price.
