Sarawak premises reminded to comply with gas pipe systems regulations

MIRI (Oct 18): The Utilities and Telecommunications Ministry (MUT)’s Gas Distribution Division has reminded operators of hotels, shopping centres, laundry shops and restaurants about the need to obtain Approval to Operate (ATO) for the installation of gas pipe systems.

Additionally, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder distributors and shops selling LPG cylinders in Sarawak are also required to obtain a gas distribution licence, as stipulated in the Gas Distribution Ordinance 2016 (DGO 2016).

In making this call, MUT director for gas distribution Kasvenda Kassim also warns that failure of any party to comply with the provisions under Section 7(g) DGO 2016 can result in a fine not exceeding RM200,000, or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or both, upon conviction.

According to him, under the Gas Distribution (Installation and Competency) Regulations 2021, premises installing gas systems including contractors or workers who carry out the installation works must be registered with MUT.

“If any party is found not complying with the Regulation, the offender may be fined RM100,000 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both, if convicted,” he said in a statement.

Kasvenda said so far, a total of 963 Approvals to Install (ATI), 600 ATOs, and 390 LPG Retail Licences had been issued by MUT in Sarawak.

In an effort to enforce DGO 2016, he said an awareness and inspection programme was carried out in areas around Miri city, involving 15 officers from the Gas Distribution and MUT Enforcement Division, Sarawak Gas Distribution Sdn Bhd (SGD), Sirim Sarawak office, and Miri City Council (MCC).

“The awareness programme was not only meant to inspect gas pipe installations, but also targeted premises or shops that import and sell electrical or gas equipment as a reminder to importers and sellers to obtain approval for such equipment,” he said.

The inspection was also to ensure that the electrical or gas equipment had the Sirim-MUT or Sirim-ST label, as well as it meeting all the relevant standards and having been tested by a recognised testing laboratory before being sold, in order to guarantee consumer safety, added Kasvenda.