KUALA LUMPUR: A study is being carried out on barring the use of overseas-registered credit cards at outdoor payment terminals in petrol stations, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said these are among the additional steps being considered to curb leakages under the Budi 95 RON95 targeted petrol subsidy.
"We are seeing if this mechanism can be expanded. At the same time, monitoring and operations by plainclothes ministry officials will be carried out at known hotspots," he said in his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Feb 9).
Armizan said the ministry also took a serious view of threats allegedly issued to petrol station operators over the sale of RON95.
"Such actions are criminal offences and those affected can lodge police reports," he said.
Regulations barring occupants of foreign-registered vehicles from buying subsidised RON95 will be enforced from April 1, he added.
"Currently, the regulations lean heavily towards licence holders or petrol station operators (who sell to foreigners).
"We are reviewing legislative amendments to (cover) individuals attempting to pump subsidised petrol illegally," he said.
This comes following calls to hold perpetrators accountable instead of the liability solely being borne by petrol station operators.
On another matter, Armizan said the ministry is finalising the drafting of policies related to new e-commerce legislation which is targeted for tabling in the next Parliament meeting.
He added that the ministry is also utilising existing legislations to tighten enforcement against an influx of foreign products and services flooding the domestic market.
This includes the Consumer Protection Act 1999 and Competition Act 2010, among others.
Armizan also said that the updated guidelines for foreign business involvement, set to be tabled soon, will ensure that the domestic market is not controlled by foreign entities, while creating a level playing field for micro, small and medium enterprises.
He explained that although e-commerce falls under the ministry’s jurisdiction, it is still subject to the digital ecosystem which covers various ministries and agencies.
"In line with this, a more consolidated approach is being taken to strengthen cooperation across agencies alongside empowering the role of digital platforms," he said.
Separately, Armizan said all quarters, including small traders, are welcome to join the Madani Rahmah sales programmes as strategic partners.
"We always encourage participation among small traders, including local sundry store operators, and cooperatives," he said in response to concerns raised over how these programmes could negatively affect the sales of smaller businesses.
He also noted that the majority of the 2,100 operators of Madani Rahmah sales nationwide comprised smaller stores and retailers.
