The bill was passed by a majority vote in favour with 16 members of the state assembly taking part in the debate.

Utility and telecommunications minister Julaihi Narawi said the bill provides for the appointment of a gas aggregator to ensure the availability of gas for industries and consumers, and to strengthen, improve and expand the existing gas distribution network and systems.

“Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) is already a licensed distributor of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Sarawak and will be appointed as the sole distributor for LPG effective Dec 1, 2023.

“At the same time, the Sarawak government will work with Petros and Petronas to accelerate the exploration and development of new gas fields in offshore Sarawak,” he said when winding up the bill before it was passed in the state assembly.