KOTA KINABALU – Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili has been appointed as the chairman of the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS), effective today.
In thanking Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor after receiving his appointment letter at the latter's office at Menara Kinabalu, here, Ongkili hailed it as an honour for Parti Bersatu Sabah of which he.is president.
"I will seek to serve ECoS and the energy industry of Sabah to the best of my ability," said Ongkili.
Ongkili has vast experience as a four-term federal minister, including in heading the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.
The veteran politician, who was a six-term MP from 1995 to 2022, stressed that Sabah has enormous strengths and potential in energy resources, especially in green renewable sources such as solar, hydro, wind and biomass
"We will ensure that any issues related to ECoS will be executed for the good of Sabah and Sabahans," he said.
The commission began operating on January 10 to monitor and implement more effective development plans for onshore gas supply in the state.
That same day, the Sabah assembly had passed two bills related to the transfer of gas supply regulatory power from the federal government to the state, namely the Sabah State Energy Commission Bill 2023 and the Gas Supply Bill 2023.
The passing of the former has established ECoS, which is empowered to perform regulatory functions for the gas supply sector in Sabah so that all activities in the sector can be controlled and carried out effectively and efficiently.
The federal cabinet had made the decision to devolve the authority to supervise decisions and activities related to gas sourced from Sabah to the state at a meeting on December 21.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had then said that this was done in view of the ongoing effort to restore the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and that more such restorations of rights will be announced this month. – The Vibes, February 1, 2023
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