BY NATASHA JEE & TANIA MATU
KUCHING: The Sarawak government, in collaboration with SIRIM Berhad, has set up a new domestic gas cooker testing laboratory at its complex here to ensure further safety and usage of the domestic gas cooker equipment in the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said with the establishment of the laboratory, it is able to ensure that every piece of equipment is tested and evaluated by SIRIM QAS International, a subsidiary of SIRIM, before it can be marketed and used by consumers in Sarawak.
“The Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak and SIRIM have greatly assisted the local industry in Sarawak in carrying out conformity assessment, which is the testing of consumer electrical equipment.
“Hence, the new domestic gas cooker testing laboratory at the SIRIM Berhad Sarawak Complex in Demak Laut here proves that the Sarawak government takes seriously the safety of using domestic gas cooker equipment in the state,” he said.
This was said by the premier, whose text-of-speech was read by Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, during the launching of the domestic gas cooker testing laboratory at the Imperial Hotel here today.
Further elaborating, he stressed that the establishment of the laboratory can also help the state government further boost the development of the gas industry, especially when it comes to matters concerning consumerism or consumer safety.
“Therefore, I hope this effort and cooperation between the Sarawak government and SIRIM Berhad will be further strengthened, especially in introducing a new programme that is in line with the needs and agenda planned by the Sarawak government,” he said.
At the same time, he called upon industry players in the state, particularly domestic gas cooker products importers, to make sure that the products are tested and can now be carried in Kuching without having to be sent to Peninsular Malaysia.
Meanwhile, SIRIM group and chief executive officer officer Datuk Indera Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said the launch of the domestic gas cooker testing laboratory is in line with the Gas Supply Act and Regulation 2017, which requires all domestic gas appliances that use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to be affixed with the SIRIM label before being marketed.
“The safety of domestic gas cookers is very important because damaged or incorrectly installed gas appliances can cause fires, gas leaks, and even explosions,” he pointed out.
SIRIM, he added, as the regulatory body that handles the testing of domestic gas cookers, plays an important role in ensuring that all domestic gas cookers on the market are safe and that the safety of consumers is guaranteed.
“Therefore, it is very important that all gas appliances marketed in this country undergo testing to ensure their safety,” he said.
The launch of the SIRIM Sarawak domestic gas cooker testing laboratory marks the culmination of a journey that began on July 14, 2020, when the state Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication appointed SIRIM Sarawak as the regulatory body that handles domestic gas cooker testing in the state.
This laboratory was then established and completed in August of this year.
End with pics (Pics by Ramidi Subari)
