Mindful of a potential nationwide boycott by traders, the Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism Ministry has agreed to a single licensing system for all sundry shops to sell essential goods.
A plan to introduce a separate licence to sell sugar, flour and cooking oil had resulted in the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Association of Malaysia threatening to stop selling the items.
Federation president Lean Hing Chuan agreed today to cancel the boycott following the decision to scrap the separate licensing scheme.
Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, after a meeting with Lean in Parliament today, said the single licensing system would be introduced to avoid burdening sundry shop operators.
“Licensing would continue. However, because of complaints that too many licences are needed, we agreed to reduce the [number of] licences to one,” said Ismail.
“The new system will come into effect next month," he added.
Sundry shop operators currently need to apply for separate licences from the ministry to sell liquid petroleum gas, for calibration of scales, and for sale of controlled items during festive seasons.
They are also required to apply for a licence from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries for rice sales.
Matter ironed out with MCA leaders
The meeting between Lean and Ismail was mediated by MCA president and deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek and Liow Tiong Lai respectively.
Ismail said that the proposal to unify all licences issued by different agencies for sundry shop operators would be submitted to the Cabinet soon.
He said his ministry had also agreed to scrap its proposal for sundry shop operators to provide daily reports on sale of essential goods.
Sundry shops in towns near borders, however, would only be allowed to get a supply of 200kg of sugar and flour monthly in a bid to stop smuggling activities.
A plan to introduce a separate licence to sell sugar, flour and cooking oil had resulted in the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Association of Malaysia threatening to stop selling the items.
Federation president Lean Hing Chuan agreed today to cancel the boycott following the decision to scrap the separate licensing scheme.
Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, after a meeting with Lean in Parliament today, said the single licensing system would be introduced to avoid burdening sundry shop operators.
“Licensing would continue. However, because of complaints that too many licences are needed, we agreed to reduce the [number of] licences to one,” said Ismail.
“The new system will come into effect next month," he added.
Sundry shop operators currently need to apply for separate licences from the ministry to sell liquid petroleum gas, for calibration of scales, and for sale of controlled items during festive seasons.
They are also required to apply for a licence from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries for rice sales.
Matter ironed out with MCA leaders
The meeting between Lean and Ismail was mediated by MCA president and deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek and Liow Tiong Lai respectively.
Ismail said that the proposal to unify all licences issued by different agencies for sundry shop operators would be submitted to the Cabinet soon.
He said his ministry had also agreed to scrap its proposal for sundry shop operators to provide daily reports on sale of essential goods.
Sundry shops in towns near borders, however, would only be allowed to get a supply of 200kg of sugar and flour monthly in a bid to stop smuggling activities.
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