By Peter Sibon and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 2: The state government has principally agreed to supply and sell Petros’s newly launched Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to West Kalimantan.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed that the Governor of Kalimantan has written to the state government to request for the supply of LPG to West Kalimantan especially the villages at the border.
“In principle, we agree. As is known, our electricity is sold to Kalimantan. So we will also supply LPG. We have to go beyond Kubah Ria.
“But there must be a formal arrangement with West Kalimantan because if there is no regulatory procedure for us to sell to Kalimantan, there is the risk of smuggling activities via illegal routes,” he said at the launching of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) LPG at Kubah Ria Complex here today.
Pointing out that Asean has opened its door for trading, Abang Johari hopes Petros brand red-coloured “tong gas” or gas cylinders can penetrate into the markets especially in neigbouring countries needing LPG.
“This is our future. So this means our Petros gas tong will be available in places outside Sarawak,” he said.
Noting that LPG has its value chain involving the production of gas cylinders to gas filling and delivery, he however pointed out that its supply chain was costly, estimated to be more than RM50 per cylinder.
“So the state government provided about 50 per cent subsidy so our people can enjoy the consumption at about RM20 per cylinder in Sarawak,” he added.
Abang Johari also emphasised that Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia with authority over the distribution of gas as the state government was firm in safeguarding this right even though the federal government had intended to take over the authority from Sarawak.
“In fact, Sarawak has been producing gas for cooking and other usages for a long time as the state has been involved in oil and gas since 1910. Mirians would know best that this is not a new thing for Sarawak,” he said. – DayakDaily
