Latest news with #RM40
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
JB car washes reclassified as high-risk over Singapore-only allegations
JOHOR BARU: Car wash centres in the city have been reclassified as high-risk businesses following repeated breaches of regulations, prompting tighter licensing conditions and stricter enforcement by the Johor Baru City Council. Its mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said the decision was made during a recent meeting of the council's licensing committee, in response to persistent non-compliance among operators. "Operators have consistently failed to adhere to wastewater treatment standards, caused damage to public roads, and neglected to maintain proper premises. "They will now be subject to increased scrutiny, including mandatory worker registration and infrastructure inspections," he said after chairing its full council meeting at Menara MBJB today. He warned that failure to comply could result in licence suspension or cancellation under existing laws and regulations. The move follows public backlash over a car wash outlet in Taman Abad that allegedly prioritised Singapore-registered vehicles while turning away local customers. A viral post last week claimed that foreign workers at the outlet had refused to service Malaysian cars, citing "full bookings from Singaporean clients". In response, Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor instructed all local councils to take firm action against outlets that exclusively served foreigners, calling such practices unacceptable and grounds for licence termination. Haffiz said the city council's enforcement officers had conducted checks but found no formal complaints lodged, and the claims remained unsubstantiated. "We are monitoring the situation closely. If such discriminatory practices are confirmed, we will revoke the licence," he said, adding that premium 'water wax' services, priced from RM40, were being marketed primarily to Singaporean customers. Earlier, the New Straits Times reported that some outlets charged up to RM80 for "water wax" treatments. There are currently 543 licensed car wash outlets operating under the city council's jurisdiction. Last year, 53 unlicensed centres were shut down. As of June this year, a further 33 illegal operators have been identified and are being dealt with.
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Foreigners nabbed for decanting subsidised LPG
Major haul: Mohd Hazimin (left) inspecting a LPG cylinder seized on site in Malim Jaya. — Bernama JOHOR BARU: Enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) have uncovered an illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility at a warehouse in Ulu Tiram here. Johor KPDN director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said the operation which was jointly carried out by enforcement teams from KPDN Putrajaya and Johor, led to the seizure of 1,357 LPG cylinders worth an estimated RM280,000. She added that five foreign men, aged between 30s and 40s, believed to be workers, were also arrested during the raid, which was held on Monday (July 28). 'We believe the suspects were involved in illegal LPG decanting activities. A tanker believed to be filled with LPG was also found on-site, along with equipment used to siphon gas from domestic cylinders into the vehicle,' she told a press conference at the scene here on Monday. She also added that the illegal activity was carried out without proper safety measures, posing serious risks to both the workers and nearby residents. 'Initial investigations indicate that subsidised LPG, which is meant for household use, was being misappropriated and sold through unauthorised means,' she said adding that the case was being investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961. Lilis Saslinda said the offence carries a fine of up to RM1mil, imprisonment for up to three years, or both upon conviction. In MELAKA, Bernama reported that three Myanmar nationals were nabbed for misappropriating subsidised LPG worth RM40,000 in a raid under Ops Gasak in Malim Jaya here, said the ministry's state director Dr Mohd Hazimin Jamaludin. The suspects, aged from 23 to 24, were detained in the 7pm raid on Monday while transferring subsidised LPG into 50kg industrial cylinders using illegal connector hoses. The enforcement team seized 107 units of 14kg subsidised LPG, 59 units of 50kg cylinders, and 20 rubber hoses.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Ministry busts factory siphoning subsidised gas for industrial use in Melaka
MELAKA: A factory in Malim Jaya, which had only recently begun operations, was raided by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry for allegedly siphoning subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for industrial use. Acting on three weeks of intelligence, enforcement officers swooped in around 7pm yesterday under Op Gasak 2025, seizing equipment and gas cylinders worth an estimated RM40,000. Melaka Domestic Trade director Dr Mohd Hazimin Jamaludin said three Myanmar nationals, aged between 23 and 24, were caught red-handed during the raid. "They were seen transferring subsidised 14kg LPG into 50kg industrial cylinders using modified hoses without authorisation," he said at a press conference today. He added that the gas siphoning operation lacked basic safety measures and was carried out covertly at night. "The factory appeared abandoned and had no signs of being a registered business. "Everything was sealed off from the outside. Had anything gone wrong, it could have triggered a massive explosion due to the number of gas cylinders inside. "They used a dangerous homemade method — heating the 14kg cylinders with kettles filled with hot water and cooling the 50kg ones to speed up the siphoning," he said. Officers seized 104 units of 14kg LPG cylinders, 41 units of 50kg cylinders (including one unbranded tank), and 20 rubber hoses. Zinc sheets used to conceal the activities were also found. The case is being investigated under the Supply Control Act 1961, which carries a fine of up to RM1 million, three years' jail, or both for individuals, and up to RM2 million in fines for companies.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
New electricity tariff structure offers transparent breakdown, says Fadillah
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's revised electricity tariff structure for Peninsular Malaysia now includes a detailed cost breakdown and new energy efficiency incentives for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the new structure - announced by the Energy Commission (ST) on June 20 and implemented from July 1, 2025 - features a transparent itemisation of charges to help consumers better understand the cost components of electricity supply. 'For the first time, the electricity tariff structure clearly displays the energy charge, capacity charge, network charge and retail charge for each consumer category,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29). He said this marked a departure from the previous format, which only listed the energy charge and minimum charge. The improved transparency is part of the government's broader effort to raise public awareness and encourage smarter energy use in line with the national energy transition agenda, he said. 'This is an early step towards educating Malaysians to become more energy-conscious consumers,' he added. Fadillah also said that the tariff classification for non-domestic users will no longer be based on economic activity but rather on connection voltage levels. 'This ensures that non-domestic consumers are charged tariffs that reflect the true cost of supplying electricity, while eliminating discrimination based on sector,' he said. The change, he explained, supports sustainability by offering a fair and equal platform for all non-domestic users, regardless of industry. As part of efforts to promote energy efficiency, the government has introduced direct incentives for consumers, including MSMEs with monthly electricity usage of 200kWh or less. 'These targeted incentives are aimed at encouraging efficient energy use among the domestic group and small businesses, which in turn helps balance electricity demand and boost renewable energy generation,' said Fadillah. In addition to these incentives, Fadillah also confirmed that the government has allocated RM40 million under the NUR@Petra programme (Nikmat Untuk Rakyat), aimed at helping households purchase energy-efficient appliances. 'The NUR@Petra programme currently offers rebates of up to RM400 for the purchase of 4- or 5-star energy-efficient air-conditioners and refrigerators,' he said, adding that the move is part of the broader push to reduce electricity consumption through smarter technology adoption. He further clarified that the RM40 monthly electricity rebate, which remains targeted at B40 households, is no longer strictly tied to the e-Kasih database. He said eligibility now also takes into account electricity consumption levels, particularly for households using 600kWh or less per month. 'This rebate system is now partly usage-based, ensuring that support reaches those who genuinely practise prudent energy use, not just those listed under a specific income category,' he said. He stressed that good energy management would not only lower utility costs but also support the broader shift towards cleaner energy sources. Additionally, he said the new tariff structure is designed to drive interest among non-domestic users in adopting renewable energy (RE) as a competitive alternative. 'With greater transparency in cost components, we hope more businesses will explore RE options as part of their corporate responsibility towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,' he said. Fadillah assured that the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, in collaboration with ST and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), is rolling out infographics and public engagement materials to ensure that users fully understand the changes. Consumers may also contact TNB's careline for further clarification to avoid confusion or anxiety over the new tariff system, he added.
Barnama
a day ago
- Barnama
Illegal LPG Decanting Operation Foiled In Malim Jaya
MELAKA, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Melaka branch busted a misappropriation operation involving subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) worth RM40,000 during a raid under Op Gasak 2025 in Malim Jaya here yesterday. Its director Dr Mohd Hazimin Jamaludin said three Myanmar nationals, aged 23 and 24, were arrested during the 7pm raid while transferring subsidised 14-kg LPG into 50-kg industrial cylinders using illegal connector hoses. 'This premises was used for decanting without any valid approval, a serious violation that exploits government subsidies meant for the public,' he told a press conference here today.
