Latest news with #DomesticTradeMinistry
Malay Mail
13-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Govt ready to act on unjustified price hikes after SST revision, says deputy domestic trade minister
KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Authorities will step up efforts to monitor the prices of basic necessities, including food at eateries, following the Sales and Service Tax (SST) revision, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh said. According to The Star, Fuziah said the ministry is ready to take action against food operators who increase prices unnecessarily due to the SST adjustments. 'We have already launched Ops Kesan 4.0,' she said. 'This is to protect consumers by detecting price movements and any attempts to exploit the SST adjustments. We will continue to monitor them,' she said. She added that the ministry is prepared to receive complaints from the public. 'We hope all parties can play their roles and we will look into all the complaints,' she said. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has begun nationwide enforcement operations under Ops Kesan 4.0 to curb unjustified price increases and profiteering linked to the SST revision, which came into effect on July 1. Minister Datuk Armizan Ali said on July 8 that the enforcement will be guided by four key elements, starting with the scrutiny of goods and services listed under the revised SST scope. He said the second element involves ensuring registered businesses exceeding the SST threshold register with the Customs Department. Other factors include examining pricing margins to determine whether they reflect profiteering in violation of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. 'Businesses are advised to consider all four aspects before making any price or service fee adjustments,' Armizan said. He also urged businesses to consult the Customs Department and the Finance Ministry for policy and compliance clarification while seeking guidance from the ministry's Enforcement Division for matters involving profiteering indicators.
Free Malaysia Today
26-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Subsidised cooking oil sold as prayer oil with 228% markup, claims group
The Penang Hindu Association said some unscrupulous suppliers are rebranding subsidised cooking oil as prayer oil and selling it for hefty profits. PETALING JAYA : The Penang Hindu Association (PHA) has raised concerns over the misuse of subsidised cooking oil by suppliers who repackage and resell it as prayer oil at inflated prices. In a statement, the group said subsidised cooking oil, which retails at RM2.50 per litre, was being repurposed and sold as prayer oil at RM8.20 per litre or more – a profit margin of over 228%. 'These subsidies have been misused by some unscrupulous suppliers who profit from rebranding the cooking oil as prayer oil and selling it for hefty profits,' said PHA. The association said the issue was not new, as domestic trade and cost of living ministry officers had caught traders engaged in similar practices before. In January, for instance, a Johor man was caught by the ministry's officers repacking 5,100 bottles of subsidised cooking oil as prayer oil. PHA urged the ministry to intensify its monitoring efforts and conduct thorough inspections of the sourcing and pricing of prayer oil sold at temples and retail outlets. It also called for the full implementation of the cooking oil price stabilisation scheme system (eCOSS) to help track subsidised cooking oil from refineries to retailers. 'We also urge the ministry to instruct prayer oil traders to clearly state on the labels the source and retail price of the prayer oil,' said PHA. Domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali previously told FMT that eCOSS had been introduced in 2023 to track the supply chain of subsidised cooking oil. Since last year, repackers and refineries have been required to submit subsidy claims based on eCOSS records. However, the system only tracks distribution from refineries to repackers, wholesalers and retailers, leaving a gap at the retail level, he said. Such limitations increase the risk of leakage, including smuggling and the fraudulent repackaging of subsidised cooking oil for resale at higher prices. The government spent RM1.945 billion in 2024 to provide 60,000 tonnes of subsidised oil packets monthly at RM2.50 per kg under eCOSS. However, the scheme drew criticism after enforcement operations revealed that foreigners were among those benefitting from the subsidised cooking oil. This led to renewed calls for the replacement of the subsidy with a cash transfer system based on verified household consumption to ensure that only deserving Malaysians receive the aid.
Malay Mail
21-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Armizan: Govt to complete e-commerce law review by August, balance growth with consumer protection
KOTA KINABALU, June 21 — The review of e-commerce legislation, which began in April last year to develop a more responsive legal framework for regulating the industry and protecting consumer interests, is expected to be completed by August. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the review is now in its final phase before the recommendations are submitted to the Cabinet for approval and subsequently tabled in Parliament for the drafting or amendment of relevant laws. He said the key laws under the ministry's jurisdiction include the Consumer Protection Act 1999 and the Electronic Commerce Act 2006. 'Our aim is to finalise the review by the end of this year, including securing Cabinet approval on whether to introduce a new legal framework or amend existing laws to make them more conducive, comprehensive, and relevant to current challenges,' he told reporters after launching the Sabah-level 2025 Business Digitalisation Programme at Universiti Malaysia Sabah today. Armizan added that the review also seeks to identify gaps in existing legislation, assess regulatory scope, and benchmark Malaysia's e-commerce laws against international practices He said the review also considers issues and needs of both the industry and consumers, and will propose new legislation or amendments along with the most effective regulatory approach for Malaysia's e-commerce landscape. 'At present, there is no direct regulation of platform operators or sellers in the e-commerce space. No decision has been made yet on whether to introduce a licensing regime or adopt a compliance-based approach. 'Our objective is not merely to establish a legal framework, but to create a regulatory mechanism that supports the growth of businesses using e-commerce platforms. We do not want future legislation to become a hindrance to the sector's potential,' he said. Armizan also announced that a townhall session with industry players will be held on July 17 to gather feedback and input on the proposed regulatory framework. He said several engagement sessions have already taken place, involving 63 entities from the public and private sectors, as well as industry representatives, in addition to surveys with e-commerce firms and users. 'All feedback obtained from these engagements and the review process will be thoroughly analysed and consolidated into comprehensive policy recommendations,' he said. Armizan noted that the e-commerce sector is projected to generate RM1.65 trillion in revenue this year. — Bernama
Malay Mail
09-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
No legal action for traders as LPG cylinder rules await October amendment to 2021 Control of Supplies Regulations, says Armizan
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has clarified that the the use of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders involves the Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 and not the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Act 2022 (Act A1652). He pointed out that he was referring to the 2021 amendment, which was enacted and gazetted in 2021 and came into effect on Oct 15, 2021 during a press conference on Thursday, and expressed hope that there would be no public confusion over the issue. 'In the press conference on June 5, I clearly mentioned the Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021. In the same conference, a media statement was also distributed... I urge (all parties) not to confuse the public with references to laws that I did not mention,' he posted on Facebook today to refute claims by certain parties that all eateries would be required to use the commercial 14-kilogramme (kg) purple LPG cylinders, priced at RM70 each, instead of the green cylinders for domestic use priced at RM26. At Thursday's press conferences, Armizan announced that micro and small traders in the food and beverage sector were allowed to continue using subsidised LPG cylinders without needing a special permit until the new amendment to the 2021 amendment is finalised this October. No legal action will be taken against traders during the transition period, he added. — Bernama
Malay Mail
05-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Small F&B traders can use subsidised LPG without permit until Oct, says domestic trade minister
PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Micro and small-scale traders in the food and beverage sector may continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a special permit until the amendments to the Control of Supplies Regulations (PPKB) 2021 are finalised this October. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said no legal action will be taken against this group of traders during the transition period. 'Small and micro food and beverage traders will be allowed to obtain supplies of subsidised LPG cylinders without the need for a scheduled controlled goods permit,' he told a press conference here. He said the Cabinet, in its meeting today, agreed to the ministry's proposal to amend the regulations, which initially came into effect on Oct 15, 2021, under the previous administration. Armizan added that the amendments would, among others, take into account the specific needs of micro and small-scale food and beverage traders, while also ensuring legal clarity in terms of compliance and enforcement. Armizan said the ministry aims to finalise the amendments once Op Gasak concludes on Oct 31. He added that enforcement against leakages involving illegal decanting activities and misuse by industrial users under Op Gasak would continue. 'The Op Gasak report will serve as a basis for us to determine the way forward in ensuring we have suitable legal provisions that are clear and take into account the needs of those providing services to the public, especially food and beverage businesses,' he said. He added that the amendment process will be coordinated through a technical committee established on May 1, chaired by the ministry's secretary-general, and involving relevant ministries and agencies. 'In addition to government representatives, we are also engaging a range of stakeholders. In fact, I will be holding an engagement session with 10 food and beverage business associations tomorrow. 'We welcome any proposals to ensure that these amendments are truly practical and beneficial for the intended target groups,' he said. The Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 limits the ownership and use of subsidised LPG exceeding 42 kilogrammes at any one time without a scheduled controlled goods permit. — Bernama
