By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 23: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) can only seek exemption from licensing requirements for activities or projects which do not conflict with the role of PETROS as gas aggregator i.e. the supply, sale, retail, or distribution of gas.
These roles aside, the Sarawak government will process PETRONAS’ applications in accordance with the law and recent Joint Declaration between Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi pointed out that the Joint Declaration acknowledges that Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) is the gas aggregator appointed by the Sarawak government in the exercise of its executive authority. Both Anwar and Abang Johari have agreed that PETROS’ appointment as gas aggregator must be respected by all persons undertaking business of gas distribution in Sarawak.
“Accordingly, all agreements and arrangements pertaining to the supply and sale of natural gas in Sarawak must align with PETROS’ role as gas aggregator as stated in the Joint Declaration.
“All industry players and entities including PETRONAS must conduct their business of gas distribution in full compliance with this Joint Declaration,” said Julaihi when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech during Sarawak Legislative Assembly here today.
He stressed that all parties involved in activities related to the distribution and supply of gas must apply for a license under Section 7 of the Distribution of Gas Ordinance, 2016 (DGO 2016).
Failure to comply with this licensing requirement constitutes an offence under Section 20 (criminal case) or Section 21A (civil claim) of the ordinance, and may result in a fine, imprisonment, or both.
He added that following the amendment to the DGO 2016 in 2023, his ministry has implemented several regulatory measures including issuance of a total of
14 activity licenses under Section 7(g) to upstream industry players and 537 licenses to downstream industry players.
A total of 10 non-compliance notices were also issued to five companies conducting unlicensed activities under Section 7 of the DGO 2016.
“In this regard, I am confident that this Joint Declaration will benefit Sarawak and serve national interests in strengthening investor confidence, particularly among international companies in the gas distribution sector,” said Julaihi. — DayakDaily
