BINTULU: Kampung Sungai Plan in Bintulu has become a new location in the Sarawak Government's efforts to expand the supply of piped natural gas directly to residents' homes through a systematic, modern and efficient gas pipeline network system in Sungai Plan here.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said this initiative is part of the initial implementation of the Sarawak Gas Roadmap (SGR) which aims to provide clean, safe and affordable energy facilities to all Sarawakians.

"We previously started this project in the Quadruplex housing area in Miri and the results were very encouraging, so now we are expanding it to Bintulu, beginning with Kampung Sungai Plan.

"Residents in Miri have managed to save up to 40 per cent of their daily expenses for buying gas. If they previously paid RM100, now they only need to spend RM60. This has a direct impact on the cost of living,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after officiating the Launching Ceremony of the First Piped Gas Supply to Kampung Sungai Plan, here on Wednesday.

Explaining further, the Sarawak Premier shared that the implementation of this gas plan would be expanded to the entire state through the development of a ‘hub and spoke’ system, with Bintulu, Kuching, Miri and Sibu identified as the main gas hub locations.

He said that the distribution of gas through this pipeline is not new because the system has long existed in Lutong and Serian since before the establishment of Malaysia.

“The difference is, now we are taking advantage of our own laws through the Sarawak Gas Distribution Ordinance which allows us to fully regulate the gas supply, including the appointment of Petros as the sole gas aggregator for Sarawak.

“This was sealed through a joint declaration between the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and I, which confirmed PETROS as the sole aggregator.

“Therefore, any company involved in the gas business must comply with Sarawak’s protocols and laws,” he explained.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that this approach will provide great benefits to various parties including residents in residential areas, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the heavy industry sector such as methanol.

“Only the charge rate is different according to the user category. However, it will have an overall major impact in reducing the cost of living, especially for the B40 group and low-income households,” he added.

Through this comprehensive plan, the Sarawak Government aims for more people to enjoy sustainable and cost-effective energy facilities in the coming years.

Meanwhile, PETROS in a statement said that this success is part of the implementation of the SGR led by the Sarawak Government and implemented by PETROS to expand access to energy, increase domestic gas consumption and support sustainable development throughout the state.

The first phase of the project involves the installation of a pipe system over 3 kilometres long, including the construction of a main station and internal connections to 39 houses.

PETROS targets that this supply coverage will be expanded to more than 3,500 homes in the Sungai Plan area by the end of 2027.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premiers, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, PETROS Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo, PETROS Group Chief Executive Officer, Janin Girie, Chief Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, heads of departments and other guests of honour. -UKASnews