PETALING JAYA, Dec 15 — Consumers who have doubts on the quantity of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in their cooking gas cylinders should weigh their tanks before making their purchase.
Zainal Azhar Ahmad, an expert from the oil and gas industry, said all cylinders come with a cap removable only upon first use at home and it would be checked by the officials from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to ensure it is properly filled before leaving the refineries.
“But while stringent quality control is carried out by the authorities to ensure it conforms to the prescribed specifications before leaving the refineries, like any other item of commercial value, liquefied petroleum gas which is mainly used in cooking gas tanks can be siphoned by depots or dealers,” said Zainal, who has been in the industry for 32 years.
“Consumers should request to weigh the cylinders from the retailers before purchasing it if they have doubts if the content was not according to specifications.”
Zainal said consumers can identify the total amount of the cylinder with its contents by adding up the weight of the tank, which is written on the top body, with the weight of the gas.
The weight of an empty cylinder for 12kg cooking gas is 15.8kg, while an empty cylinder for 14kg is 16.5kg.
On Saturday, Malay Mail reported that while the government has set the ceiling price at RM22.80 (12kg tank) and RM26.60 (14kg tank), retailers had been selling them above the ceiling price on top of delivery charges. Several consumers had also raised concerns if the amount of gas were that stated on the cylinders.
Zainal, however, said using add-on pressure gauge to check the percentage of content of the cylinder, is not advisable as the device is not certified by the Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim).
“Some pressure gauges may carry the Sirim certification; but my hunch is the majority are not. In any event regardless whether it has a Sirim certification, if it is used with LPG cylinders, it is not likely certified.
“The gas in the cylinders is in liquid form and is never full as it needs room for expansion. Gas is sold by weight and the add-on devices can detect pressure but it is not the accurate measurement on the content of the cylinders.”
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad said any suspicion of cheating should be reported to the ministry.
“If a retailer is found cheating consumers, the ministry can take action under the Weights and Measurements Act 1972,” he said.
He said a person found guilty for the offence jailed for up to three years, fined up to RM4,000 or both.
Alias had warned retailers who sell cooking gas above the ceiling price will see their licences revoked under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
