SME group: Op Gasak enforcement poorly communicated to businesses [WATCH]
Its president, Dr Chin Chee Seong, said the enforcement move, which involves scrutiny of gas usage and permits, was not properly communicated to industry players, particularly micro and small enterprises.
"There may have been official dissemination of information, but nothing was directly conveyed to us or to other associations that represent small businesses," he told the NST's Beyond the Headlines.
Chin said the operation's name itself — Op Gasak — was vague and raised more questions than answers.
"Some SMEs are unsure if this is a swift government action or a harsh crackdown. When it involves subsidies, especially for gas, it's a sensitive issue for micro enterprises. Many of them aren't even classified as SMEs officially, yet they are affected."
He said small traders were confused about compliance requirements, particularly the cap on subsidised gas cylinders.
"Many of them didn't even know that after using three 14kg domestic cylinders, they must switch to the commercial 50kg tank — which costs almost double at RM70, even though it's the same gas," he said.
While these regulations have existed for some time, Chin said they were not widely communicated because enforcement was previously lax.
"Now, with stricter enforcement under Op Gasak, many feel blindsided. Different media sources have shared conflicting information, which contradicts what the ministry announced. This inconsistency has made things worse," he added.
He called on authorities to engage more closely with business associations to ensure clearer communication in future.
"When we're not engaged, we're confused too — and we don't know how to advise our members. There have been too many new policies recently that were rushed without proper consultation," he said.
Op Gasak, which runs from May 1 to Oct 31, aims to curb illegal activities such as decanting (transferring gas from subsidised LPG cylinders to non-subsidised ones), smuggling, and the misuse of subsidised LPG by medium and large-scale industrial sectors.
Eateries, including hawker stalls, will be required to use the 14kg purple-coloured commercial gas cylinders priced at RM70.
On Thursday, however, the government announced that micro and small-scale food and retail businesses may continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit (PBKB) until October.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the exemption would remain in effect throughout the Ops Gasak enforcement period and until amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are finalised.
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