Sales of LPG back to normal, S'wak govt to absorb payment for yellow cylinders

SIBU: The sale of liquefied natural gas (LPG) is now back to normal as the Sarawak government has decided to absorb the yellow cylinder payment.

"The yellow barrel issue that caused a lot of fuss recently has ended today.

"According to the latest news from gas distributors, the state government has decided to absorb the payment for the yellow gas barrels and gas sales are back to normal starting today," Sibu MP Oscar Ling said on Wednesday (Dec 20).

In addition, he said people can also buy gas through gas trucks and grocery stores, and most consumers have received the yellow cylinders.

Ling however said the issue should not have happened in the first place.

"Regarding the yellow gas barrel issue, the Sarawak government should have made such arrangements a long time ago," he said.

Ling also hoped that the state government will consider more carefully when implementing policies in the future, and have a deep understanding of market operations to avoid causing hardship and problems to traders and the public.

The issue cropped up recently when owners of the yellow cylinders could not exchange them with red ones.

Dealers and distributors were at odds as they would incur a loss of RM150 for each yellow cylinder exchanged.

On Nov 21, Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi announced in the Sarawak legislative assembly that the state government has decided not to renew the LPG distribution licence of MyGaz (yellow cylinder) which expired at the end of November.

With the non-renewal of the distribution of gas licence, Petros Niaga (red cylinder) would control 100% of the LPG market from Dec 1.