Why Can T Subsidise Gas If We Re 5th Largest Exporter Wee

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Why can’t Malaysia subsidise gas for small traders if the country is the fifth-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), asked MCA president Wee Ka Siong.
ADSCiting a report from the International Gas Union last year, he said Malaysia had exported approximately seven percent of the LNG in the world in 2023.
“Great in the eyes of the world, but Malaysians themselves do not receive the benefits,” he said in a video posted to Facebook.
He went on to condemn the government’s subsidy rationalisation, asking why the billions of investments Malaysia receives are not going towards subsidising gas consumption for the people.
He said MCA supports the government’s goal to target subsidies and handle leakages, but warned against this affecting other bigger issues.
He further questioned why eateries have been barred from using subsidised gas cylinders for households, instead being instructed to use commercial gas cylinders.
He said commercial gas cylinders cost RM70, a 170 percent increase compared to the subsidised cylinders, which cost RM26.60 for the same weight of 14kg.
“So in the end, who will bear the cost of this price increase? Who will have to pay more?
“The answer is, of course, the people as consumers,” he said.
According to The Rakyat Post, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry began a policy on May 1, restricting subsidised LNG to households under Ops Gasak.
Impacting various sectors
Besides that, Wee questioned why traders have to request a permit for using more than three gas cylinders a month.
ADS“If they don’t have a permit, they will be subject to action. Their goods and premises will be seized through Ops Gasak,” he said.
In the video, he shared part of a statement from the ministry stating that any business or traders consuming more than 42kg of LNG must apply for a scheduled controlled goods permit.
It stated that sectors impacted by this policy include manufacturing, food and beverage, animal husbandry, laundry services, large-scale restaurants, and food chains.
Wee added that the businesses of small traders do not lead them to riches, but instead help them to put food on the table. - Mkini

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