(Miri, 12th) Sarawak DAP Secretary Alan Ling today severely criticized the Sarawak government for its monopoly in the gas market, not only failing to ensure adequate supply, causing the people in the northern Sarawak region to face a shortage of gas supply. Now, they are taking the opportunity to shift the cost of gas transported from other states to fill the market in Sarawak to the people of Sarawak.
Alan Ling pointed out that when the market was open, the people never experienced a shortage of gas. However, since the Sarawak government established Petros and monopolized the market, gas supply has become problematic. This is similar to the previous cement supply shortage; once the market is controlled by specific enterprises, the people become victims, forced to accept higher prices.
"We must question the Sarawak government whether the monopoly of the gas market was to pave the way for subsequent price increases, or because Petros is merely a collector and cannot operate independently, ultimately having to raise prices to fill the losses made by the Sarawak government giving up authority in the oil and gas sector to Petronas?"
He stated that gas is an essential necessity in people's daily lives, and any price adjustment will directly increase the cost of living. Now that the Sarawak government is shifting transportation fees and other costs to the people, it is undoubtedly trying to recover its losses at the expense of the people, completely disregarding their hardships.
"The Sarawak government must immediately explain why people cannot buy gas after monopolizing the market? Why did the price increase instead? If the Sarawak government cannot manage the gas market, it should reopen market competition to restore supply to normal."
Alan Ling advised the Sarawak government that livelihood issues cannot be neglected, and the government's responsibility is to ensure a stable life for the people, not to use monopolistic power for profit. If the Sarawak government continues to ignore public opinion, the people will inevitably respond in future elections.
Alan Ling pointed out that when the market was open, the people never experienced a shortage of gas. However, since the Sarawak government established Petros and monopolized the market, gas supply has become problematic. This is similar to the previous cement supply shortage; once the market is controlled by specific enterprises, the people become victims, forced to accept higher prices.
"We must question the Sarawak government whether the monopoly of the gas market was to pave the way for subsequent price increases, or because Petros is merely a collector and cannot operate independently, ultimately having to raise prices to fill the losses made by the Sarawak government giving up authority in the oil and gas sector to Petronas?"
He stated that gas is an essential necessity in people's daily lives, and any price adjustment will directly increase the cost of living. Now that the Sarawak government is shifting transportation fees and other costs to the people, it is undoubtedly trying to recover its losses at the expense of the people, completely disregarding their hardships.
"The Sarawak government must immediately explain why people cannot buy gas after monopolizing the market? Why did the price increase instead? If the Sarawak government cannot manage the gas market, it should reopen market competition to restore supply to normal."
Alan Ling advised the Sarawak government that livelihood issues cannot be neglected, and the government's responsibility is to ensure a stable life for the people, not to use monopolistic power for profit. If the Sarawak government continues to ignore public opinion, the people will inevitably respond in future elections.