KUCHING, July 16: The deadline for those interested to apply for a licence to dabble in the gas distribution industry in the state is July 31, 2018.
Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi said the Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 (DGO), which was passed in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) in November 2016, came into force on July 1 this year.
“The Distribution of Gas (Licensing) Regulations, 2018, was approved by the Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri on June 29, 2018.
“Subsequently, a Public Notice on the requirements to apply for licences in accordance with the Regulations was issued on July 6, 2018, with the closing date on July 31, 2018,” he said in his winding-up speech in the DUN today.
With this in place, the downstream gas distribution industry in the state would be regulated and licensed by the Ministry of Utilities, he added.
Dr Rundi explained that with the new regulatory measures in place, there would be more opportunities for local companies to participate in businesses related to the gas distribution industry. This includes import of any gas for regasification, processing, treatment, separation, utilisation or distribution in Sarawak, transportation of gas through gas pipelines, building, managing or maintaining gas pipeline or other apparatus or equipment or mechanism for the distribution of gas, and supply and retail of gas.
Meanwhile, Dr Rundi later led a delegation from his ministry to pay a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. The visit was to invite Abang Johari to be the guest-of-honour of the ministry’s Appreciation Night. — DayakDaily
