CYBERJAYA, May 15 — Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has clarified that Ops Gasak does not intend to withdraw the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy but to curb leakages and optimise the use of existing allocations.
The operation, which was launched earlier this month, is unrelated to any subsidy removal but rather involves the ministry’s enforcement division proactively enforcing existing laws.
“We are aware that certain parties are concerned and have urged us to reconsider our approach. However, I want to stress that this is not a move to withdraw the subsidy; the subsidy remains.
“What we are doing through Ops Gasak is ensuring that leakages are plugged,” he told the press after officiating the Retail Market Access Seminar and Retail Sector Entrepreneur Appreciation ceremony today.
Ops Gasak was launched on May 1 under the ‘Kita Gempur’ initiative framework. It aims to ensure that subsidised LPG is not misused by ineligible industries or smuggled abroad.
Commenting on calls by laundry operators to postpone the enforcement of Ops Gasak within the industry, Armizan urged them to reassess their business models and make the necessary transitions without delay.
“This is because certain business sectors have already ensured compliance by using non-subsidised LPG.
"Do we want double standards? Should those using unsubsidised LPG be forced to compete with domestic consumers who are purchasing subsidised LPG?" he said.
Laundry operators recently appealed to KPDN to review Ops Gasak, expressing concerns over the industry's sustainability, claiming that the industry contributes to job opportunities and the local economy.
Among the proposals submitted was a request for conditional exemptions allowing micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) laundry operators to continue using subsidised LPG under regulatory supervision.
— Bernama
