The government has announced that micro and small-scale food and retail traders may continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB) until October. This decision was reached during the Cabinet meeting earlier today and applies throughout the enforcement period of Ops Gasak.

Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, confirmed the decision stating that the exemption would remain in place until the planned amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are completed.

“The meeting also agreed that no legal action will be taken against micro and small-scale food and retail businesses for using subsidised LPG cylinders at their business premises. Such traders will be allowed to obtain supplies of subsidised LPG cylinders without requiring a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit,” he said. 

Ops Gasak, which began on 1 May and will continue until 31 October, is an enforcement initiative targeting illegal practices such as gas decanting, smuggling, and the misuse of subsidised LPG by larger industrial operators. The operation will proceed under existing laws, namely the Control of Supplies Act 1961, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the current Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021. No new policies or subsidy reductions will be introduced during this period.

Armizan noted that the findings from Ops Gasak would form the basis for assessing and revising the current regulations. “The core of the upcoming amendments will take into account the specific needs of micro and small-scale food and beverage traders. Engagement sessions with various stakeholders will be held to gather feedback and create legal clarity, ensuring effective compliance and enforcement moving forward.”

He also announced that a technical committee, to be chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general, will oversee the regulatory review and amendment process.

At present, the regulations, which took effect on 15 October 2021, cap the use of subsidised LPG for commercial purposes at 42kg at any one time. Businesses that exceed this limit are required to obtain a PBKB and shift to non-subsidised LPG.

(Source: NST)

• TAGS:
• Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali
• liquefied petroleum gas cylinders
• LPG Permit Exemption
• LPH cylinders subsidy
• Ops Gasak
• Small Traders
• Subsidy