By Nur Shazreena Ali & Noor Syahhira Hady
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The state Utilities Ministry is planning to expand the coverage of gas distribution industry throughout Sarawak in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) by using virtual pipeline system (use of trucks fitted with cryogenic tanks to off-grid customers) and conventional pipelines.
Permanent secretary to Ministry of Utilities Datuk Alice Jawan said the expansion on the coverage of gas distribution thus requires more gas competent persons’ participation to ensure that all gas distribution activities are regulated to the highest standards of distribution, safety and quality of gas.
“Our ministry had been working hard as the regulatory role in the development of gas industry since the Distribution of Gas Ordinance 2016 (DGO2016) came into effect on July 1, 2018.
“The ordinance has given the ministry to have full regulatory authority to establish regulations, standards and guidelines and regulate economic, technical and safety aspects of the gas distribution industry in Sarawak,” she said at the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and the Ministry of Utilities which took place at Rumah Universiti Unimas here.
She added that collaborating with Unimas is imperative to drive the development of training and competency of the gas industry.
“The enforcement of the ordinance allows a competent person to participate in gas distribution activities including designing, building, managing and maintaining of gas pipeline systems.
“This is very timely for us to work together to produce more local talents of competent persons to participate in this industry,” she said.
