KUCHING: Minister of Utilities, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom revealed on Monday a plan for all Sarawakians to enjoy direct piped gas supply. He hoped the direct piped gas supply would be available statewide instead of just Miri.
“Bintulu deserves this sort of facilities,” he told reporters at a press conference after delivering his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here.
“It is a long term plan. Because safety comes first, we need to study how to protect our people from this hazard,” said Rundi.
He added that new housing development projects should have direct gas supply facilities. Rundi explained that gas distribution in the state was now be properly licensed and regulated following the approval of Gas Distribution (Licensing) Regulations, 2018. “There are seven main activities related to petroleum gas distribution which will be regulated and licensed under the Distribution of Gas Ordinance, 2016,” he said.
He named the activities as the import of any gas for regasification, processing, treatment, separation, utilisation or distribution in Sarawak, regasification of gas, treatment, separation or processing of gas, transportation of gas through gas pipelines, building, managing or maintaining gas pipeline or other apparatus or equipment or mechanism for the distribution of gas, supply of gas and retail of gas.
“The gas distribution division in my ministry is being strengthened progressively to enforce the regulations,” said Rundi.