The Malay Unified Laundry Association (Mula) said it was disappointed that the domestic trade and cost of living ministry’s review of 2021 regulations pertaining to LPG cylinders was only focused on these F&B traders.

It said the laundromat subsector mostly comprised small- and medium-sized enterprises that depend on the subsidised gas tanks for their dryers.

This applied to both on-premise or coin-operated laundromats.

“Using commercial LPG cylinders will add to the financial pressure faced by laundromat operators who generally only serve domestic users.

“Also, most of them are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and face other increases in operational costs,” it said in a statement.

The association suggested that the ministry engage industry players to get a clear picture of their situation, saying an inclusive policy regarding LPG cylinders would benefit everyone.

Currently, any business using over 42kg of LPG at any one time must apply for a scheduled controlled goods permit.

Yesterday, domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali said the Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 will be reviewed with a focus on the needs of micro- and small-sized F&B businesses, and to ensure clarity regarding the regulation.

Until the review is finalised, no legal action will be taken against micro- and small-sized businesses in the F&B sector regarding the use of subsidised cooking gas tanks.

However, the ministry will continue to combat the illegal use of subsidised LPG cylinders by non-eligible industries and the decanting of gas from subsidised cylinders to non-subsidised ones before being sold at a profit.

Commercial LPG cylinders cost nearly RM70 each – almost three times the rate of subsidised gas tanks.