Gas Tank Rule Came When You Were Minister Armizan Reminds Wee

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 Armizan Mohd Ali says the current government has not introduced any new changes for subsidised LPG cylinders.
Armizan Mohd Ali denied that hawkers and traders are prohibited from using subsidised cooking gas. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali has taken a swipe at MCA president Wee Ka Siong for criticising the ministry’s enforcement of quotas for cooking gas cylinders at eateries
Armizan reminded Wee that the rule requiring a permit for use of more than three 14kg cylinders at one time was initially introduced in 2021, when Wee was a member of the Cabinet.
He said the current government was merely enforcing that rule and has not introduced any new regulations regarding subsidised cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
“There are no new policies or regulations, let alone any cutting or abolishing of government subsidies for LPG cylinders,” Armizan said in a statement.
“The regulation was enacted under the previous government, which as I recall, Wee was a minister at the time. Perhaps he overlooked it since it was another ministry’s policy. Wee should have provided his opposition to the new rule at that time,” he added.
Wee had been critical of a nationwide operation on LPG cylinders, to combat the misuse and leakage of subsidised LPG, particularly by commercial and industrial users.
Armizan had said the operation was aimed at tackling the use of subsidised LPG by non-eligible sectors, as well as illegal decanting of gas from subsidised cylinders to non-subsidised ones before being sold at a profit.
Wee and several opposition MPs criticised the enforcement operation, claiming it burdened small businesses as they would be forced to switch to commercial LPG cylinders that cost nearly RM70 each – almost three times the subsidised rate.
In a Facebook video earlier today, Wee said limiting the use of subsidised LPG cylinders for food premises would drive up food costs and burden consumers.
However, Armizan said only businesses that use more than three 14kg cylinders, or over 42kg of LPG, at any one time are required to obtain a scheduled controlled goods permit.
“It is not true that all hawkers and traders are prohibited from using subsidised LPG cylinders,” he maintained.
Armizan reiterated that the enforcement of the law was aimed at ensuring the subsidised LPG were being delivered in a targeted manner and to avoid it being exploited by high-end restaurants. - FMT

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