{"id":13704,"date":"2016-11-21T15:59:40","date_gmt":"2016-11-21T07:59:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/?p=13704"},"modified":"2016-11-22T15:43:18","modified_gmt":"2016-11-22T07:43:18","slug":"13704","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/?p=13704","title":{"rendered":"Debate of the Distribution of Gas Bill, 2016 by YB Dato’ Sebastian Ting"},"content":{"rendered":"

1.\u00a0 \u00a0 ADDRESS<\/p>\n

1.1\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Datuk Amar Speaker,<\/p>\n

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to join the other\u00a0Honourable members of the august House in debating the Distribution of\u00a0Gas Bill, 2016 that was presented earlier on by Honourable Minister of\u00a0Public Utilities, YB Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Anak Utom. I would\u00a0like congratulate the Sarawak Government and the Honourable Minister\u00a0for taking the initiative to table this Bill.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 \u00a0THE BILL<\/p>\n

2.1\u00a0 \u00a0The Bill seeks to repeal the Sarawak Gas Supply Services\u00a0 (Operating Company) Ordinance\u00a0 (Cape 19) to regulate the distribution\u00a0of gas in Sarawak and for matters relating thereto.<\/p>\n

2.2\u00a0 \u00a0 It is indeed very happy\u00a0 that this Bill is presented and\u00a0subsequently upon passing will become law\u00a0 regulating the distribution\u00a0of gas in Sarawak., pursuant to the Borneo States (Legislative Powers)\u00a0order 1963 made by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong under Article 95c of the\u00a0Federal Constitution.<\/p>\n

2.3\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0We take pride to note that the Sarawak Government has the\u00a0power to make laws on both electricity and the distribution of gas in\u00a0Sarawak as this is in accordance with the constitutional arrangements\u00a0set out and recommended by the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC)\u00a0Report, 11(c) of Annex A whereby the electricity and distribution of\u00a0gas have never been delegated to Federal Government by our Legislative\u00a0Assembly.<\/p>\n

2.4\u00a0 \u00a0 Datuk Amar Speaker.<\/p>\n

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Sarawak\u00a0Government for being alert and the foresight to insert the exclusion\u00a0clause in the Gas Supply ( Amendment) Bill 2016 which was subsequently\u00a0passed as Gas Supply Act 1993 (as amended June 2016) to regulate the\u00a0supply of gas in the Federation.\u00a0 The new clause is this and I qoute;<\/p>\n

Clause 2: New clause 4A<\/p>\n

The Bill ( Gas Supply (Amendment) Bill 2016)\u00a0is amended by inserting after clause 4 the following clause:<\/p>\n

\u201cNew section 1A”<\/p>\n

4A (1) The principal Act is amended by inserting after section 1 the\u00a0following section:<\/p>\n

\u201cApplication for State of Sarawak”<\/p>\n

1A. Notwithstanding subsection 1(2), this Act shall apply to the State\u00a0of Sarawak, upon prior approval of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak,\u00a0on the date to be appointed by the Minister by notification in the\u00a0Gazette and the Minister may appoint different dates for the coming\u00a0into operation of different provisions of this Act.\u201d<\/p>\n

We must always be alert whenever a new Bill is proposed and tabled for\u00a0debate in Parliament. In this way, we can continuously be able to\u00a0Safeguard Sarawak’s interest.<\/p>\n

2.5\u00a0 \u00a0 As for our present Bill,\u00a0It is indeed timely to repeal the\u00a0 Sarawak Gas Supply Services\u00a0Ordinance which was passed in 1995 as the primary purpose for that\u00a0Ordinance appeared to be for the creation of a Sarawak Gas\u00a0Distribution Sdn Bhd , a Sarawak Government controlled company to\u00a0distribute gas by pipelines to consumers in Miri only, because Miri\u00a0then was the only town where there was gas.<\/p>\n

2.6\u00a0 \u00a0 Now things are different and we are happy.\u00a0 Presently Bintulu\u00a0produces the most gas in Sarawak and indeed a substantial amount of\u00a0Liquefied Natural Gas\u00a0 (LNG) is exported overseas to major countries\u00a0like Japan and Korea.\u00a0 MLNG is reported to have made billions of\u00a0Ringgit profit each year.\u00a0 Even as the present price of oil is still a\u00a0challenge, gas price has not been affected at all.<\/p>\n

2.7\u00a0 \u00a0It is proper, correct and\u00a0 prudent that the Sarawak Government\u00a0has decided to pass a new law to better regulate the business of gas\u00a0distribution in Sarawak and to provide a framework for the expansion\u00a0of gas supply industry which in turn helps to encourage rapid\u00a0industrial development of Sarawak. This augers well for the future for\u00a0Sarawak and all the people of Sarawak as a whole.\u00a0 Sarawak cannot be\u00a0poor as we are rich in resources and we must take adequate control\u00a0over our own depleting\u00a0 resources, especially in oil and gas. The\u00a0passing of this Bill is the first step.<\/p>\n

2.8\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Datuk Amar Speaker.<\/p>\n

I would like to congratulate our Chief Minister for his untiring\u00a0efforts to continue the ongoing discussions and negotiations with our\u00a0YAB Dato’\u00a0 Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Razak\u00a0 Prime Minister of Malaysia on\u00a0the devolution of powers. Diplomacy here is certainly better and\u00a0yields many positive results as witnessed over the past two and half\u00a0years since Chief Minister took office on 28th February 2014.<\/p>\n

2.9\u00a0 \u00a0The passing of this Bill is seen as a step closer to achieving\u00a0the Phase 2 of the Devolution of Powers as succinctly outlined by\u00a0Chief Minister in his winding speech in the last DUN session June\u00a02016.\u00a0 This will greatly benefit Sarawak and our people at large.<\/p>\n

The discussions and negotiations will continue with the Federal\u00a0Government on the Devolution of Powers until we obtain all what are\u00a0rightly due to us as contained in those four documents, The Cobbold\u00a0Commission Report, The Inter-Governmental Committee Report, Malaysia\u00a0Agreement 63 and Malaysia Act 1963(Chapter 35).<\/p>\n

SUPP believes in our Chief Minister and strongly supports our Chief\u00a0Minister in his ongoing discussions and negotiations with our Prime\u00a0Minister on the Devolution of Powers.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 \u00a0 Datuk Amar Speaker . I would like to highlight some of the\u00a0clauses of the Bill together with my observations.<\/p>\n

3\u00a0 \u00a0 CLAUSES and OBSERVATIONS<\/p>\n

3.1\u00a0 \u00a0 Clauses 3 relates to the appointment of Director of Gas\u00a0Distribution and to be assisted by such number of officers who are to\u00a0be appointed by the Minister.\u00a0 It is most likely that the officers\u00a0will come from the present civil service. The Bill does not provide\u00a0for the establishment of a Board of Management. Perhaps this can be\u00a0considered so that those who are considered “experts with years of\u00a0experience ” in this field can be\u00a0 appointed to share their\u00a0experiences with the ultimate aim of managing our gas distribution and\u00a0resources in the best possible way.<\/p>\n

3.2\u00a0 Clause 7 identifies the activities pertaining to the distribution\u00a0of gas for which a licence must be obtained.\u00a0 From the reading of this\u00a0clause , it is indeed very wide. For instance, It covers not only the\u00a0Gas produced in Sarawak and Sarawak waters but includes the\u00a0importation of any for regasfication, processing, treatment,\u00a0separation, utilisation or distribution in Sarawak.\u00a0 This will mean\u00a0that all gas that comes into Sarawak will now require a licence to do\u00a0so, failing which an offence will be committed.<\/p>\n

3.3\u00a0 Clause 7<\/p>\n

(b) talks about regasfication of gas,<\/p>\n

(c) talks about treatment separation or processing of gas<\/p>\n

(d) talks about transportation of gas<\/p>\n

(e) building, managing or maintaining gas pipeline or other\u00a0apparatus or mechanism for the distribution of gas<\/p>\n

( f) supply of gas and<\/p>\n

(g) retail of gas.<\/p>\n

The above list seems to cover all aspects of the complete chain in the\u00a0distribution of gas and licences are therefore required.<\/p>\n

3.4\u00a0 \u00a0 With the passing of this Bill, would Petronas, Sarawak Shell\u00a0Bhd and MLNG be required to apply for and obtain various licenses as\u00a0long as their activities are in Sarawak?<\/p>\n

This should be rightly so as the Bill intends to regulate the complete\u00a0chain in the distribution of gas in Sarawak.<\/p>\n

3.5\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0In addition, land matters have always remained with our\u00a0Sarawak Government as enshrined and agreed upon and contained in the\u00a0Cobbold Commission Report, The Inter-Governmental Committee Report,\u00a0Malaysia Agreement\u00a0 1963 and Malaysia Act 1963 (Chapter 35).<\/p>\n

3. 6 \u00a0 Clause 7 states<\/p>\n

“No person shall distribute gas in Sarawak or carry out the following\u00a0activities without a licence….”<\/p>\n

I note that there is no defintion of “Person” under Interpretation\u00a0Clause 2 and there is a reference of body corporate under clause 22\u00a0which covers offences committed by a body corporate.\u00a0 Though The\u00a0Interpretation Ordinance 2005 defines “Person” to include body\u00a0corporate it would be so much better to incorporate or include that\u00a0definition in our present Bill.<\/p>\n

3.7 \u00a0 \u00a0 Clause 12 refers to tariffs.<\/p>\n

Tariffs are payments and I believe there will be different tariffs to\u00a0be levied on different categories of licences. As a caring government\u00a0we need to ensure that ordinary people, the end users, would not be\u00a0unduly burdened with extra charges or costs.\u00a0 On the contrary, our\u00a0Government should ensure that the charges or prices are kept to the\u00a0minimum.. There is a need in making sure that the licensee in retail\u00a0business\u00a0 must abide by the terms and conditions set out by the\u00a0Sarawak Government upon issuance of the licence with the view of\u00a0controlling and monitoring the prices to be charged. There may be a\u00a0need to continue to place gas as a\u00a0 price controlled item\u00a0 as it is\u00a0now.<\/p>\n

3.8 \u00a0 \u00a0As\u00a0 have stared above, Miri and Bintulu produce a lot of gas\u00a0and more Sarawakians throughout Sarawak should enjoy the use of our\u00a0own gas at a relatively low price. Adequate supply must be provided\u00a0for all Sarawakians.<\/p>\n

This will certainly help to lower the cost of living for our fellow\u00a0Sarawakians especially after the increased of cooking oil, liquefied\u00a0petroleum gas (LPG) and other prices. We look after our people first.<\/p>\n

3.9 \u00a0 Clause 20 refers to Offences and penalties.<\/p>\n

The offence upon conviction is stiff, that is a fine of not exceeding\u00a0two hundred thousand ringgit or imprisonment for a term not exceeding\u00a0five years or to both and to a further fine not exceeding one thousand\u00a0ringgit for everyday or part of a day during which the offense\u00a0continues after conviction.<\/p>\n

Because of the heavy penalty, it will be good that every person who\u00a0intends to apply for a licence be given prior notice of this. This is\u00a0a public relation exercise.<\/p>\n

Datuk Amar Speaker .<\/p>\n

With the above observations i\u00a0fully support this Distribution of Gas Bill, 2016.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0 the passing of this Bill,\u00a0 this will benefit Miri people and\u00a0it is hoped that more people in Miri will actively be involked in oil\u00a0and gas business .<\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n

\"2016-11-21-photo-00000190\"<\/a>\"2016-11-21-photo-00000193\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1.\u00a0 \u00a0 ADDRESS 1.1\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Datuk Amar Speaker, Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to join the other\u00a0Honourable members of the august House in debating the Distribution of\u00a0Gas Bill, 2016 that was presented earlier on by Honourable Minister of\u00a0Public Utilities, YB Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Anak Utom. I would\u00a0like congratulate the Sarawak Government and the Honourable Minister\u00a0for taking the initiative to table this Bill. 2.\u00a0 \u00a0THE BILL 2.1\u00a0 \u00a0The Bill seeks to repeal the Sarawak Gas Supply Services\u00a0 (Operating Company) Ordinance\u00a0 (Cape 19) to regulate theRead More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13705,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13704"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13704"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13714,"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13704\/revisions\/13714"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.suppnewsportal.com\/main\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}