By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 11: No Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) dealer shall refuse to accept the yellow cylinders, says Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi.
Responding to Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, Julaihi stressed that there are no more issues faced by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumers to date. If any, there are isolated cases only.
“I hope the problem of yellow cylinders that you brought up just now is not fabricated or manufactured by your good self or your men because, to me, these are isolated cases.
“No dealer shall refuse to accept the yellow cylinders. If they refuse, please report to PETRONAS or PETROSNiaga.
“You (Chong) can visit the stockyard where the yellow cylinders are being stored right now,” he said in his winding-up speech for the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Bill 2024 during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Earlier, Chong when debating on the Bill, claimed that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) members in Sibu have received complaints from residents, stating that Petros’ exclusive role as the gas aggregator has placed an additional burden on consumers, as their dealers refused the exchange of yellow LPG cylinders for red ones.
Upon hearing Julaihi’s reply, Chong attempted to interject during the minister’s winding-up speech but was dismissed.
As Julaihi caught wind of Chong’s accusations, claiming he was misleading the august House, he swiftly countered by asserting that Chong was the one misleading the House.
“I’m not misleading the House. You are misleading the House. You digressed from the amendment of this Bill. You sit down. This is my floor,” Julaihi uttered.
Chong attempted a second interjection, invoking the Standing Order and alleging that Julaihi was making unfounded claims by suggesting the gas cylinder issue he brought up was fabricated.
In response, Julaihi defended his position, insisting that Chong should verify his allegations about Petros dealers refusing gas cylinder exchanges by visiting the stockyard firsthand.
“Let me put it this way. You must be able to visit and see the stockyard where the yellow cylinders are being stored right now.
“You must be blunt. Isolated cases here and there, we don’t deny. You (Chong) don’t fabricate information–that is what I’m trying to say.
Addressing the Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang who tried to calm the situation, Julaihi added, “Datuk Deputy Speaker, don’t entertain him (Chong). He is just wasting my time.
“You (Chong) just want to interfere and interrupt my winding-up. That is all. That is your purpose.”
Despite the tension, Julaihi concluded his speech by thanking Chong for supporting the Bill. — DayakDaily
