By Karen Bong and Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Dec 2: The red-coloured Petros “tong gas” will be reaching the homes, businesses, and industries in Kuching and Samarahan beginning next year (2021) and extending statewide in 2022.
With the launch of its entry into the state’s Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) market, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Hamid Bugo hopes every home in Sarawak will have at least one unit of Petros gas cylinder in four to five years down the road.
“With Petros LPG, we will further support Sarawakians with a cleaner-burning, more efficient and safe cooking fuel.
“More than ever, families are gathering over meals cooked at home. Petros LPG will be honoured to be part of every meal in every Sarawakian home,” he said at the launching of Petros-LPG by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Kubah Ria Complex here today.
Throughout the challenging year, Hamid emphasised that Petros has continued to reliably supply essential gas to over 25,000 households through the state’s piped gas grid operated by wholly-owned subsidiary Sarawak Gas Distribution Sdn Bhd.
“Over 1,500 commercial businesses and industries served by our Gas Distribution Systems in Bintulu and Miri,” he added.
Petros, he shared began on Jan 1, 2020 as the single entity for the supply, sale and distribution of natural gas to domestic customers in Sarawak, with ownership and operatorship of Bintulu and Miri Gas Distribution Systems and Sarawak Gas Distribution Sdn Bhd.
In October later, Petros was awarded two onshore Oil Mining Licenses by the state government which will pave the way for Petros to seek investors to carry out onshore exploration activities.
Investing in domestic LPG production from the state’s oil and gas assets, Hamid pointed out that it was to reduce the state’s reliance on imported LPG.
“While the distribution and sale of our products is an area we hope, in collaboration with our supply chain partners, to improve fair prices to end consumers.
“It comes as no surprise that remote areas of Sarawak – those who are least able to afford, are paying the highest price for this important cooking and heating fuel. Price stacking is a challenge for us all as players in this strategic value chain, that is Sarawak oil and gas,” he elaborated.
Hamid also thanked all Sarawakians in advance as they welcomed Petros LPG into their homes, businesses and industries. – DayakDaily
