Domestic trade ministry’s LPG cylinder operation explained

 No legal action is being taken against F&B operators at present and the feedback from stakeholders will be considered in reviewing the 2021 regulation.

From Armizan Mohd Ali

Op Gasak is being carried out from May 1 to Oct 31 with the main focus on combating illegal decanting, smuggling and use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders by large- and medium-sized industries.

The legal authority for Op Gasak is derived from the Control of Supplies Act 1961, Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 or PPKB (Amendment) 2021.

No new policies or regulations are being introduced, and there are certainly no cuts or abolition of LPG subsidies, as alleged by certain parties.

Certain issues have arisen with the implementation and enforcement of PPKB (Amendment) 2021 involving certain business sectors, specifically the food and beverage (F&B) industry.

For that reason, inspections at F&B premises under Op Gasak are currently focussed on compliance checks and advocacy. No legal action is being taken against these F&B businesses.

Once the operation concludes, a report on Op Gasak will serve as one of the key references for reviewing the relevance of the PPKB (Amendment) 2021, in relation to LPG cylinders.

Since Op Gasak commenced on May 1, a technical committee chaired by the domestic trade and cost of living ministry secretary-general was formed to look into the matter.

In addition to the Op Gasak report, recommendations and views from various stakeholders will be considered before any proposals are brought to the Cabinet.

Under the previous government, amendments were made in 2021 to the Control of Supplies Regulations. One of the amended provisions fixed a limit on the use of LPG cylinders for trade or business purposes.

Specifically, the PPKB (Amendment) 2021 states that any business using over 42kg of LPG at any one time requires an application for a scheduled controlled goods permit.

This means that any party using more than 42kg (that is more than three of the 14kg cylinders, normally used by domestic users) must apply for a permit and cannot use subsidised LPG cylinders.

This amendment has been in force since Oct 15, 2021.

There are views that the 2021 regulations have impacted business costs for F&B traders, which in turn could affect their prices if they are not allowed to use subsidised cylinders.

The underlying basis of the LPG subsidy is that it is a household consumption subsidy, not one intended for trade or commercial use.

However, current regulations allow the use of up to 42kg at any one time without requiring a permit.

F&B traders have expressed the need to use more than three subsidised LPG cylinders at once.

If this need of theirs is to be considered, amendments to the 2021 regulations — specifically to the 42kg limit — will become necessary.

We must also take into account other factors, such as the limit on subsidised cylinders per business and the type and scale of the business (micro, small, medium or large).

Moreover, if food prices and cost of living are cited as justifications, the prices charged by these businesses should also be examined.

For example, one trader sells chicken rice at RM8 per plate, while another sells it for over RM20. This is a big price difference despite both of them benefitting from the same LPG subsidy.

A very important factor to consider is the financial implication on government allocations, which are public funds.

For instance, the estimated subsidy for a business using five LPG cylinders a day is RM6,510 per month, based on RM43.40 in subsidy per cylinder. For a business using 10 cylinders daily, the monthly subsidy totals RM13,020 (300 cylinders/month).

At the same time, monitoring mechanisms such as the requirement for scheduled goods permits are crucial.

Based on the ministry’s enforcement, there is a risk of decanting from subsidised supplies to businesses when there is no record-keeping or sale limits in place for verification.

Decanting refers to the illegal transfer of LPG from subsidised cylinders to non-subsidised ones for commercial resale below market price, including for smuggling abroad.

All these considerations, together with the recommendations and views of various parties, will be taken into account to determine whether the PPKB (Amendment) 2021 should be revised.

If amendments are deemed necessary, the parameters and scope of the amendments must be carefully determined.

Therefore, the Op Gasak report is a key reference point in charting the way forward for improving the 2021 regulations. - FMT

Armizan Mohd Ali is the domestic trade and cost of living minister.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

Vanguard or victim? Rafizi closing the door on himself

 Why weren’t his ‘reformasi’ principles offended until he tasted defeat in his party polls?

From Jeffri Saling

I read Terence Netto’s defence of outgoing economy minister Rafizi Ramli with some amusement.

He has gone to lengths to portray Rafizi as a gallant hero who stepped down in a valiant effort to stem the tide against those who would compromise the principles of “reformasi”.

While I would never challenge Rafizi’s great contributions to the party and the country, I am also equally sure that they are being exaggerated.

How visible was he as economy minister these past two and a half years? What did he really do?

Is he really that approachable, because the feedback, even from his supporters, is often that he is aloof.

How come his “reformasi” principles weren’t offended until he himself tasted defeat in the party polls? This isn’t even the first time he reacted in a churlish manner, taking a step back when his contributions are needed.

I wonder how staff members feel about his move, given that he has left them jobless.

Given that he is an acclaimed vanguard of the reform movement, is it not immature and irresponsible of him to walk away when he is most needed?

Let’s not forget that the party leaders attempted to work with him after the polls.

Now he is standing in the corner playing the victim. Does this really help the cause he professes to be fighting for?

I fear that Rafizi is closing the door on himself. - FMT

Jeffri Saling is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

Ringgit closes slightly higher on cautious sentiment

 Traders are slipping into a wait-and-see approach ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting, says analyst.

KUALA LUMPUR:

 The ringgit closed higher against the dollar today, as traders remain cautious ahead of US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping’s expected meeting this week, said an analyst.

SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said traders are slipping into a wait-and-see approach ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting, which could be a key factor in market risk for the rest of the week.

“Given that the US is the world’s leading importer and China its largest exporter, their relationship could shift market sentiment in favour of the dollar, easing concerns about supply chain disruptions and imported inflation.

“This dynamic leaves emerging currencies like the ringgit in a reactive position – caught between two economic superpowers whose trade decisions heavily influence global pricing trends,” he told Bernama.

At 6pm, the local note inched higher to 4.2425/4.2485 versus the greenback from last Friday’s close of 4.2530/4.2605.

At the close, the ringgit traded lower against a basket of major currencies.

It slipped against the Japanese yen to 2.9695/2.9739 from Friday’s close of 2.9531/2.9585, eased vis-a-vis the euro to 4.8415/4.8484 from 4.8169/4.8254, and depreciated against the British pound to 5.7337/5.7418 from 5.7284/5.7385 previously.

The local note traded mixed against its Asean peers.

It was slightly higher versus the Indonesian rupiah at 260.1/260.6 compared to 260.4/261.1 on Friday, and gained against the Philippine peso to 7.61/7.63 from 7.62/7.64 previously.

However, it fell against the Singapore dollar to 3.2967/3.3016 from 3.2938/3.3002 on Friday and weakened vis-a-vis the Thai baht to 13.0334/13.0603 from 12.9507/12.9790 previously. - FMT

TUESDAY JOKES - 267

 

Sabah, Malaysia

There is an overweight guy who is watching TV. A commercial comes on for a guaranteed weight loss of 10 pounds in a week. So the guy, thinking what the hell, signs up for it. The next morning an incredibly beautiful woman is standing at his door in nothing but a pair of running shoes and a sign about her neck that reads, “If you can catch me, you can have me.” As soon as he sees her, she takes off running. He tries to catch her but is unable. This continues for a week, at the end of which, the man has lost 10 pounds. After this, he tries the next weight loss plan; 15 pounds in a week. The next morning an even more beautiful woman is standing at the door, in similar conditions. The same happens with her as the first woman, except he almost catches her. This continues for a week, at the end of which he, as suspected, weighs 15 pounds less. Excited about this success, he decides to do the master’s program. Before he signs up, he is required to sign a waiver and is warned about the intensity of this plan. Still, he signs up. The next morning, waiting at the door is a hulking 300-pound muscle man with nothing but a pair of running shoes, a raging erection, and a sign around his neck that says, “If I catch you, you’re mine!” The man was supposed to lose 25 pounds in the week; he lost 34!

 

“Babe is it in?” “Yea.”

“Does it hurt?” “Uh-huh.”

“Let me put it in slowly.” “It still hurts.”

“Okay, let’s try another shoe size.”

 

A teacher was wrapping up class and started talking about tomorrow’s final exam. He said there would be no excuses for not showing up tomorrow, barring a dire medical condition or an immediate family member’s death. One smart male student asked, “What about extreme sexual exhaustion?”, and the whole classroom burst into laughter.

A woman went to a lawyer to discuss about divorcing her husband.
“Don’t you love him anymore?” asked the lawyer.
“Oh, I still love him,” she replied, “but all he ever wants is make love, I can’t take it anymore.”
“Instead of divorcing him, why don’t you try charging him every time he wants to make love?” the lawyer suggested.
The exhausted wife decided to give the plan a try.
As soon as she walked into the house that night her husband put the move on her.
“Not so fast,” she replied. “From now on it’ll be $10 in the kitchen, $20 in the living room, and $50 in the bedroom.”
“Well, then,” he said. “Here’s $50.”
The wife began walking to the bedroom.
“Hold on,” he said, grabbing her hand. “That’ll be five times in the kitchen!”

 

A girl realized that she had grown hair between her legs. She got worried and asked her mom about that hair. Her mom calmly said, “That part where the hair has grown is called your monkey. Be proud that your monkey has grown hair.” The girl smiled. At dinner, she told her sister, “My monkey has grown hair.” Her sister smiled and said, “That’s nothing; mine is already eating bananas.”

 

With their faith in humanity restored after the pandemic, a couple attends a concert and return home late. They find their house has been robbed. Valuables have been taken from throughout the house, from the basement to the attic. And, there is a note on the door reading, “Well, you still have your car. I have to put my kid through college somehow, don’t I?”

 

Three people get arrested and are taken for questioning. The officer talks to the first girl, asking, “What’s your name?” She says, “Yo”. The officer asks, “What are you in for?” She responds with, “Blowing bubbles.” The officer takes her picture and lets her go. He asks the second girl, “What’s your name?” She responds with, “Yo-Yo”. The officer asks, “What are you in for?” She responds with, “Blowing bubbles.” The officer takes her picture and lets her go. He talks to the guy and says, “Let me guess, your name is Yo-Yo-Yo.” The guy replies, “No, it’s Bubbles.”

 

A little boy with diarrhea tells his mom that he needs Viagra. The mom asks, “Why on Earth do you need that?!” The little boy says, “Isn’t that what you give daddy when his willy doesn’t get hard?”

 

Hillary Clinton died and, Lord knows why she went to heaven. St. Peter approached her and says “Hillary, I know you’re ‘somebody’ down on Earth, but up here, you’re just another person. And, I’m swamped right now, so have a seat and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.”

So Hillary sits down and begins looking at her surroundings. She notices a huge wall that extends as far as the eye can see. And on that wall, there are millions and millions of clocks. She can’t help notice that on occasion some of the clocks jump ahead fifteen minutes.

When St Peter returns she asks “What’s the deal with the clocks?”

St Peter replies “There is a clock on the wall for every man on Earth”.

Hillary asks “Well what does it mean when the clock jumps ahead 15 minutes?”

St Peter replies “That means that the man that belongs to that clock has just committed adultery”.

Hillary asks, “Well, is my husband’s clock on the wall?”

St Peters replies, “Of course, not. God has it in his office and is using it for an electric fan”.

As usual, we remind you to take your Memo Plus Gold daily. It will help to keep you alert and mentally sharp. For more information or to order for Memo Plus Gold, please visit : https://oze.my

Kadir Jasin evaluates if PKR has made a ‘prized catch’ by netting the nomadic-natured Tengku Zafrul

 

INVESTMENT, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has the moral obligation to give up his ministerial portfolio if he ever wishes to leave UMNO given that position was accorded to him as a UMNO member.

By not resigning, he contributed a ministerial position to PKR while UMNO lost a ministerial seat at least for the time being, according to veteran journalist and blogger Datuk A. Kadir Jasin.

We shall wait and see whether Tengku Zafrul’s leap is just a puppet show or causes open war between UMNO and PKR,” he penned on his Facebook page.

“Will UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi simply ask for his party’s cabinet quota to be maintained or will he object to PKR accepting Tengku Zafrul? Will he prioritise UMNO’s dignity or maintain the lifeline given to him by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim?”

Delving farther, Kadir deemed Tengku Zafrul as “not a big catch for PKR” but on the contrary, would “ease UMNO’s burden” given the many stories of external interference regarding his entry into politics and his appointment as finance minister in 2020.

“He was appointed a senator and finance minister during the tenure of backdoor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s government but his political adventure was never brilliant,” recounted the national journalism laureate.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz is often seen with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s official trips abroad or at international events (Image credit: Tengku Zahful/Facebook)

‘A job hopper’

“He lost the 15th General Election in 2022 to Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Amanah) but won a seat in the UMNO Supreme Council in 2023.”

This led to the political critic in Kadir taking a swipe as Tengku Zafrul for contending that “his image is also not as brilliant in the corporate world”.

“He is known as a job-hopper. His curriculum vitae since 1996 shows that he has changed jobs and positions 14 times. This means that he has not spent more than two years in each position,” revealed Kadir.

“As a financial specialist, Tengku Zafrul must have made mathematical calculations and statistical analysis on his chances of remaining in UMNO and moving to PKR.”

With his senatorship expiring end-2025, Kadir nevertheless described as “a slap in the face” foe Tengku Zafrul the very fact that he was “demoted” to be a MITI minister when his ambition has been to retain his finance minister portfolio in the Madani government.

“Although the one who took over the position of Finance Minister was Anwar himself, Tengku Zafrul knows that Anwar is not an economist or financial expert,” Kadir noted.

“But it’s nevertheless painful when Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, a technocrat like him, is appointed as the Second Finance Minister”.

Datuk A. Kadir Jasin

Hidden agenda

Reviewing the various wild predictions and conspiracy theories surrounding Tengku Zafrul’s actions, Kadir said some had commented that he (Tengku Zafrul) is less confident of UMNO’s leadership or it could be that Anwar has promised something better.

“As a result, speculation arose that a Selangor Legislative Assembly by-election could be orchestrated to allow him to win easily and subsequently be appointed as Menteri Besar,” shared the former group editor-in-chief of mainstream New Straits Times.

“This has caused several quarters in PKR, including the current Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to feel the heat although he had eventually denied such speculation.

“Moreover, the very fact that Tengku Zafrul chose to bid farewell to UMNO and offer himself to PKR occurred almost simultaneously with the Cabinet resignations of former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and ex-vice president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has caused many to assume there’s hidden agenda in the pipeline.”

At the end of the day, Kadir regarded Tengku Zafrul’s actions have somehow brought to light the practice of party hopping that the Madani government has been being trying hard to curtail.

“Not to mention when it involves the PM’s own party and that of the Deputy PM – one between the teacher and the pupil. We shall wait for the next chapter to unfold,” added Kadir. –  Focus Malaysia