Tan (right), Tamizi (third left) and others conduct spot checks at the fish market.
LIMBANG: Consumers in Limbang and Kapit divisions still have to pay more (RM35) for a cylinder of subsidised 14kg LPG despite the implementation of the state-wide Price Standardisation Scheme.
State director of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, Stanley Tan, said the problem arose after many of the appointed contractors withdrew citing very low profit margin.
He said a meeting would be held with the contractors soon to discuss the matter so that consumers in the two divisions could enjoy the government’s approved standard price of RM26.60 per cylinder.
“We also have to speedily appoint new contractors who are willing to supply the goods under PSC,” he told reporters during a spot check at the tamu (market) here yesterday.
The ministry’s state commercial head Sukarman Hamid, its deputy enforcement chief here Mohd Tamizi Mohd Amin and senior officials including Wendy Dasu were among those in the inspecting party.
Tan went on to say that the ministry hoped to solve the problem (price disparity) by May 1.
Meanwhile, officials from the ministry would also monitor the situation including possible smuggling of subsidised petrol and diesel to neighbouring countries.
“Our enforcement personnel have conducted operations in Miri and Bintulu divisions and have also monitored petrol stations and petrol wholesalers there.
“So far, two petrol kiosks in Miri are believed to have contravened the laws and the cases are still being investigated,” he said.