Sri Tanjong Assemblyman Chan Foong Hin today questioned the reason behind interruption in gas supply to two new power plants which is said would result in blackouts in Sabah over the next several days.

According to a Star online report yesterday,a Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) official had said that the state Sabah will experience power cuts in the next few days as Petronas would be cutting gas supply to both power plants in Kimanis temporarily.

The DAP Sabah Vice Chairman strongly criticized the failure of Petronas to deliver it’s Corporate Social Responsibility to ensure consistent gas supply to the combined 300 MW capacity power plants in Kimanis.

“Failure to deliver uninterrupted gas supply as the fuel to power plants in Sabah is an insult to Sabahan as we are one of the biggest natural gas producer but yet the power consumer’s interest could not be protected,” said Chan.

Chan who is currently attending a renewable energy conference in Bali, called upon the state government to step in and take back the natural gas supply through it’s oil and gas arm M3nergy and Sabah Energy Corporation.

“We have no reason to export our gas reserves to Bintulu for refinery process. Sabah should take back the control on our own natural resources,” he said, adding that the recent fire along the gas pipeline near Lawas has enlightened the public about the vulnerability of the gas transporting infrastructure.

“In short, The best way to ensure consistent gas supply for the state own power usage as well as reducing any industrial risk is taking back the gas control though state government oil and gas arm,” said Chan