MGA | Malaysian Gas Association

Hosted by the Malaysian Gas Association (MGA), the meeting was attended by 34 personnel comprising of 31 participants and 3 accompanying persons. We have committee members and representatives from 8 out of the 15 member countries of GASEX, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, ROC Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. Members who could not be present were from Australia, Brunei, China, Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Philippines.
Datuk (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim, President of the International Gas Union (IGU) and also the President of MGA in his welcome address, highlighted the opportunities for GASEX to enhance its standing and to acquire wider exposure through participation and involvement in activities of the International Gas Union where Malaysia is helming the presidency of the 2009-2012 triennium. Natural gas will continue its position as the fuel of choice to meet the world’s growing energy needs. The drive to lessen carbon emission and the issues on climate change have created a big impact on the energy industry to give prominence to natural gas with its clean, efficient and environmental friendly attributes.
The Chairman of the IGU 2009-2012 Coordination Committee, Mr Ho Sook Wah shared on matters pertaining to the Triennial Work Program under the Malaysia’s IGU Presidency and provided insights on scope, operations and areas where member countries of GASEX can participate in i.e. in technical contribution, interactions and networking in the international community, rendering support in the special projects and regional round tables programs.
The CEO of WGC 2012, Mdm Liza Zahariah Rahman, updated on the preparation and progress for hosting the world gas conference and exhibition in 2012 in Malaysia.
The GASEX secretariat reported on the progress report on GASEX 2010 to be held in Taipei from 23-27 November. Mr Cho Chun, ROC Taiwan, presented the proposed GASEX official website covering the structure, concepts and functions for share options and ideas, exchange of information and events calendar to include inputs from all GASEX members. Another item on the agenda is the proposed GASEX Members Economies Benchmarking Scheme which was addressed by Mr Sham representing the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited. PTT represented by Mr Paradis Siri Panthong presented the proposed program for the 3rd steering committee to be held in Thailand from 24-26 May 2010.
The Steering Committee also deliberated on ad hoc motions raised during the sitting. This includes the issue of having a member of GASEX to be nominated as IGU Regional Coordinator for the Asia Pacific region. This would serve to propel GASEX in the international arena to gain global recognition and publicity as the official platform to champion the development and promotion of the gas industry in the west pacific region. The sitting agreed for GASEX to propose to IGU for the Regional Coordinator (RC) for Asia and Asia Pacific region to be represented by GASEX who will nominate one of its member to be the RC. Mr James Kwan from Hong Kong proposed for a ‘GAS DAY’ to be propagated as a means to give due prominence and attestation to the promotion of gas as choice fuel.
On the matter pertaining to the GASEX Charter, Mr Ting Lee, ROC Taiwan, will circulate the final official copy to members for endorsement. The committee proposed for a signing ceremony to be held at the next steering committee meeting in Thailand. There were calls to include upstream sectors in the topics to be covered in GASEX 2010, to have a special dedicated session for young engineers’ program, to hold a workshop for reviewing of papers submitted and a proposal by Indonesia to provide a speaker for keynote address on CBM project. Members present were informed that a booth will be allocated to each GASEX member for GASEX 2010.
Besides the meeting, members also participated in a technical visit to the PETRONAS Refinery in Malacca, a golf friendly tee-off, special ‘nyonya’ cooking program and a city tour.
The GASEX 2010 second steering committee meeting was successfully conducted and favorable feedbacks have been received by participants for the hosting and organizing of this event by the team from WGC 2012 and MGA secretariat.

The Malaysian Gas Association hosted the GASEX 2010 Second Steering Committee at the Majestic Malacca, 7-8 December 2009.

07 Dec 2009