Latest news with #PriceControlandAnti-ProfiteeringAct2011
The Star
20-06-2025
- The Star
Student reports economy rice stall for steep prices
Compiled by FARIK ZOLKEPLI, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN A REPORT by a university student in Perak, who was charged RM18 for a plate of economy rice, led to authorities taking action against the stall, Sin Chew Daily reported. The local student was shocked when he was charged RM18 for a plate of rice with potato, broccoli and some meat at a stall in Tanjong Malim last month. When asked the reason for the price, the stall owner explained that he had taken a large portion of pork belly, which cost RM10. The remaining RM8 was made up of RM3 each for potato and broccoli, and RM2 for rice. The student lodged a report with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry on May 31 and an investigation was launched on June 3. The student told the daily that he received a letter from the ministry on June 17, concluding that the stall had violated provisions in the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and was told that action had since been taken against the stall. > The daily also reported that the popularity of PopMart's Labubu dolls had led to knockoffs appearing in the market. A jeweller in Shenzhen, China, was spotted selling gold-plated jewellery of a rabbit-like creature with pointed teeth. Many Internet users said it bore a striking resemblance to Labubu. The jeweller in Shuibei denied that the character was Labubu, saying it only resembled the doll. A spokesman from PopMart said that if businesses were profiteering on the likeness of Labubu, it could be an infringement of intellectual property rights. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Armizan: Committee set up to review subsidised LPG regulations
KUALA LUMPUR: A technical committee has been established to review the need for amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021, particularly in relation to the use of subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the committee, chaired by the ministry's secretary-general, has been operational since the launch of Ops Gasak on May 1. "A full report from Ops Gasak will serve as the primary basis for consideration in improving the current regulations. "Among others, recommendations and input from various parties will also be considered before being brought to the Cabinet," he said in a statement yesterday. Ops 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. Armizan said Ops Gasak is being carried out under the Control of Supplies Act 1961, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021, without the introduction of new policies or subsidy cuts. "There has been no subsidy removal, as alleged by certain parties. However, this enforcement exercise is to ensure that subsidies reach their intended recipients," he said. He acknowledged that some issues have arisen within the food and beverage sector, but said the current approach towards such premises focuses on advocacy and inspection, with no legal action taken so far. The Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021, which came into force on Oct 15, 2021, limits the use of subsidised LPG to a maximum of 42kg at any one time for commercial purposes. Any party exceeding this limit must obtain a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit and switch to non-subsidised LPG. Armizan said some food and beverage traders have raised concerns that the regulation places pressure on their business costs, which in turn could affect food prices. "However, it must be understood that LPG subsidies are intended for household use, not commercial operations. "Current regulations still allow the use of up to 42kg, equivalent to three 14kg cylinders, without the need for a permit," he said. He said any intention to use more than three subsidised cylinders at a time would require an amendment to the existing regulation. "Such considerations must take into account various factors, including the scale of the business and food pricing. "For example, chicken rice is sold at prices ranging from RM8 to over RM20 per plate, yet all traders currently receive the same subsidy," he said. Armizan stressed the importance of monitoring mechanisms and control elements, such as the use of permits, to prevent illegal activities like decanting for below-market sales or smuggling abroad. "For instance, subsidies for a business using five cylinders daily could amount to RM6,510 a month, and up to RM13,020 for those using 10 cylinders daily, all funded by public money," he said. He said all recommendations, data and insights from the implementation of Ops Gasak would serve as the main reference in determining whether amendments to the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are necessary, and if so, what form they should take.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Clearing the air on purpose of ongoing Ops Gasak
THE Cooking Gas Operation (Ops Gasak) is currently underway from May 1 to Oct 31, 2025. Its main focus is to curb illegal activities such as decanting, smuggling, and misuse of cooking gas by medium- and large-scale industries. The legal authority underpinning Ops Gasak is the Supply Control Act 1961, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the Supply Control (Amendment) Regulations 2021, known as PPKB (Amendment) 2021. This operation does not introduce any new policy or regulation, let alone involve any cutting or removal of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies, as alleged by certain parties.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ops Gasak's main focus is to curb decanting, smuggling and misuse
The Cooking Gas Operation (OPS GASAK) is currently underway from 1 May to 31 October 2025. Its main focus is to curb illegal activities such as decanting, smuggling, and misuse by medium- and large-scale industries. The legal authority underpinning OPS GASAK is the Supply Control Act 1961, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the Supply Control (Amendment) Regulations 2021, known as PPKB (Amendment) 2021. This operation does not introduce any new policy or regulation, let alone involve any cutting or removal of LPG subsidies, as alleged by certain parties.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Gas cylinder rule introduced when you were in government, Armizan tells Wee
KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali has hit back at Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong over his criticism of the ministry's rule concerning the use of gas cylinders at eateries. Armizan reminded the MCA president to verify his facts, pointing out that the rule requiring eateries to obtain a permit for using more than three 14kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders at any one time was introduced by previous administrations, during which Wee was a member of the Cabinet. Referring to the enforcement of Op Gasak, Armizan said the unity government had neither reduced subsidies nor introduced new policies. He stressed that the current administration was merely enforcing regulations and policies approved by previous governments. "The legal authority for Op Gasak is derived from the Supply Control Act 1961, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and "Under the Supply Control (Amendment) Regulations 2021, any party using more than 42kg of LPG is required to apply for a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit. "This regulation was made and enforced on Oct 15, 2021, during the previous administration, in which, to my recollection, Wee was a member of the Cabinet (at the time)," said Armizan in a statement on his Facebook. Op Gasak, which runs from May 1 to Oct 31, is an enforcement campaign aimed at preventing leakages of LPG subsidies. "Perhaps because the 2021 regulation fell under another ministry, he (Wee) may have overlooked it, and his team may not have advised him accurately before he made a public statement. "As such, with due respect, I suggest that Wee review the regulations that were enacted during his tenure as a minister in the government. "However, it is irresponsible to make public statements that mislead the people." Armizan also said the ministry has not taken action, including issuing compounds or carrying out seizures, against food vendors who have yet to obtain the required permits during the Op Gasak campaign period. "At this stage, our focus is on advocacy, verification and raising awareness of compliance obligations within the existing legal framework." He said the ministry is open to feedback and proposals for improvement and has received suggestions from various parties, including leaders from DAP.
