By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 9: The Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living (KPDN) has offered to provide training and advocacy to assist Sarawak in streamlining its enforcement unit relating to the importation, distribution and retail of natural gas and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) in the State.
KPDN Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali noted that the Sarawak government through Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) has taken over the distribution of gas activities from Putrajaya following the Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 which came into effect on June 1, 2021 through Notification of Exemption under Petroleum Development Act 1974 and Control of Supplies (Exemption) Order 2021.
“I met with the Sarawak Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi earlier today to discuss on the aspect of gas distribution particularly natural gas and LPG.
“We proposed on how KPDN can assist in the enforcement aspect because we know that MUT will need some time to streamline its own unit to enforce the Ordinance. Therefore, we (KPDN) have offered to provide training and advocacy on enforcement,” he said during the Jualan Rahmah Programme held at Mydin Bandar Baru Samariang here today.
Armizan also mentioned that should the Sarawak government require assistance in conducting integrated operations, KPDN is ready to give its full support and cooperation as part of fulfilling the aspirations as enshrined under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“We know that the State government is in the process of creating a comprehensive ecosystem in carrying out these responsibilities.
“Therefore, the KPDN will help, if needed, to provide training to the enforcers, to offer our services and also to help together if the State government through the MUT wants to implement integrated operations including in the aspect of smuggling enforcement or ‘holding’ issue for example – storing LPG supplies not following the limit set through the license issued by MUT,” he added.
Also present during the Jualan Rahmah programme were Minister of Women, Family and Community Development-cum-Santubong MP Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; KPDN secretary-general Dato Seri Mohd Sayuthi Bakar and KPDN Sarawak director Matthew Dominic Barin. — DayakDaily
