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.
