Mca Claims Credit For Subsidised Lpg Ban Reversal

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MCA is taking the credit for the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's announcement that micro and small traders in the food and beverage sector can continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a permit.
MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong said party president Wee Ka Siong and vice-president Lawrence Low were among the earliest to raise concerns over the recent enforcement of LPG subsidy restrictions.
"This development directly proves that the issues raised by MCA were indeed valid.
"It shows that MCA was not engaging in slander or criticism for political gain, but was instead speaking up in the public interest, based on facts and realities observed on the ground," he said in a statement today.
Neow (above) said the ministry's move will ease the anxieties of small food traders and ensure that consumers are not burdened further.
"The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry must now provide detailed clarification on the guidelines and explain who exactly falls under the micro and small-scale food and retail business category.
"This is crucial to prevent confusion, not only among traders but also among enforcement personnel operating on the ground," he added.
Neow said MCA will continue to monitor the issue and emphasised the party's commitment to playing its role as a check-and-balance to the government.
Trading barbs
Earlier today, Bernama reported Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Ali as saying that no legal action will be taken against these traders until amendments to the Control of Supplies Regulations 2021 are finalised in October.
Wee and Armizan had been trading barbs over the issue, with Wee questioning why eateries have been instructed to use commercial gas cylinders instead of subsidised gas cylinders for households.
He also questioned why traders must request a permit for using more than three gas cylinders a month.
Armizan hit back, saying that the regulation stemmed from the previous government, which Wee was part of.
“With all due respect, I suggest that Wee reviews the regulations enacted while he was a minister,” he told the former transport minister. - Mkini

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