WHILE the newly amended the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 Bill may adequately cater to the needs of industries, the needs of the rural people should not be overlooked.
Krian assemblyman Friday Belik noted that in some districts, the price of gas per tank could be more than RM100 compared to only around RM30 in other areas (especially in areas around the cities and big town).
“Before this amended ordinance, there were many distributors operating in the rural areas, selling gas from one area or from kampong to the other as long they reach the destinations by land or river.
“The people or the consumers still buy at whatever price since to them gas is very much an essential item in their daily lives.
“Now with the gas aggregator appointed under the new amended law, what will happen to the current distributor?
“Are they still allowed to operate or distribute gas to the remotest area like before? Or are they required to re-apply and re-register themselves with the gas aggregator in order for them to be issued with proper licences?
“Those are the issues that should be considered under the proposed amendment to the Distribution of Gas Ordinance,” he said when debating the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 Bill on the second day of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
On another note, Friday hoped gas supply will be consistent and and readily available.
“Under existing practices, one can easily get the supply from any petrol station, any shop appointed by the supplier, at any village shop or from the mobile distributor who is ever ready to deliver just by a phone call.
“It is hoped that under the new system the delivery and distribution line is more efficient, adequate and economical.
“Along the supply and distribution line, we can have a few agents as before so as to give some business and job opportunities to some of our local people.
“But again this must be closely monitored and controlled to avoid abuse and malpractices among the agents or appointed operators/distributors,” he said.
