(a) To ensure security of supply
The recent reduction of domestic gas production requires the importation of gas for security and sustainability of gas supply to meet the nation’s increasing demand. Thus, a platform where multiple parties are involved in each stage of the gas value chain in Malaysia needs to be established and such platform must:

• secure and enhance effective competition between the relevant parties within the gas value chain;
• be non-discriminatory in nature as between the relevant parties within the gas value chain;
• ensure the efficient and economic operation of the relevant gas facilities within the gas value chain; and
• enable the efficient discharge of the relevant parties’ obligations.

(b) To create a platform for healthy competition
The TPA system will ensure the access and utilization of gas facilities by all parties on equal terms and conditions for equal utilization. This would in turn ensure the existence of healthy competition in the gas market by creating a level playing field amongst the players, which will, at the end of the day, benefit the consumers in the form of competitive gas prices.

(c) To provide room for growth of the Malaysian gas industry
The TPA system will provide an opportunity for new players to participate in the Malaysian gas market as gas suppliers by utilizing gas facilities to deliver gas to consumers.

The successful implementation of the TPA system will also provide sustainable gas supply and competitive gas prices, and subsequently attract new investment intoMalaysia especially in the manufacturing sector.

The TPA system will be implemented on 16 January 2017. There will be a 12-month grace period for existing players to apply for relevant licences. Meanwhile, new players must apply for and be granted with a licence before being able to carry out any of the 7 licensed activities specified in the Act.

The Gas Supply Act 1993 is the main legal framework which shall implement the TPA system and will be applicable throughout Malaysia except the state of Sarawak. However, the Act may be implemented in Sarawak with the approval of Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak.

The implementation of the TPA system shall be regulated by the Energy Commission. Figure 1 shows the regulatory scope under the Gas Supply Act 1993. As can be seen, the Energy Commission shall be responsible for the economic and technical regulation of the TPA system as a whole, but shall only be responsible for the  safety regulation aspect downstream of city gate stations.

For adequate and effective regulation, the Energy Commission will, among others, carry out the following functions:

• Ensure that gas supply is secure and sustainable via the TPA system.
• Ensure that reasonable and relevant access to gas facilities are given to third parties.
• Protect the rights of third parties or consumers in respect of the continuity of gas supply, utilization of facilities, gas quality and services provided by the owner of the gas facilities.
• Develop and publish relevant Codes, Guidelines and directions to ensure smooth implementation of the TPA system
• Ensure that the safety of consumers is protected from dangers arising from the activities of distribution, retail and use of gas.
• Promote the existence of healthy competition among the relevant licensees.
• Carry out audit on licensees, institutions, manufacturers, importers and contractors, as applicable.

The TPA system covers the following activities:

• Import into regasification terminals, i.e. the activity of bringing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) into or within Malaysia by any means other than by transhipment.
• Regasification, i.e. the activity of regasifying LNG including receiving and storing of LNG and the subsequent delivery the regasified gas to transmission pipelines.
• Shipping, i.e. the activity of delivering gas to consumers’ premises by the owner of gas molecules by them making an arrangement with a regasification, transportation or distribution licensee for such delivery.
• Transportation, i.e. the activity of owning/operating a transmission pipeline.
• Distribution, i.e. the activity of owning/operating a distribution pipeline.
• Retail, i.e. the activity of using gas for one’s own consumption or onselling the gas to consumers through the said retail licensee’s piping system.
• Use of gas, i.e. the activity of using gas as a private gas licensee, where the licensee uses the gas for their own consumption and do not get the supply from retail licensee.

No, the Energy Commission will only regulate the safety aspect of gas supply downstream of city gate stations while DOSH will continue to regulate the safety aspect of gas supply upstream of city gate stations.

The legal framework for the implementation of the TPA system is contained in the following statutes/documents:

• Gas Supply Act 1993: This is the principal Act that governs piped gas supply activities in Malaysia and is also the enabler for the implementation of the TPA system.
• Gas Supply Regulations 1997: These Regulations contain the procedures for Energy Commision to perform its functions, duties and powers under the Act.
• TPA Codes: These contain the principles of the TPA system which need to be adhered by both the owners and users of gas facilities.
• Guidelines and Directions: These documents are developed as a reference/explanatory document relating to the related matter/subject.

Any qualified party who intends to participate in the licensed activities may submit an application for a licence. The Energy Commission will issue the Guidelines on Licence Application which shall assist the interested parties on the necessary requirements and the steps to be taken in applying for the relevant licences.

No, there is no limit on the number of licences that can be obtained by a party, subject always to the condition that it will not create a conflict of interest in the performance of the relevant licensee’s obligations.

The applicable fees are as prescribed in the Gas Supply Regulations 1997.

Firstly, provisions which prohibit anti-competitive behaviour have been incorporated into the Gas Supply Act 1993. Under these provisions, the entering into of anti competitive agreements as well as any abuse of a dominant position in the market is strictly prohibited and any infringement of these prohibitions shall result in the infringing party incurring a substantial fine.

Next, the Energy Commission will develop and issue TPA Codes which shall contain the standard principles of access to gas facilities. The Energy Commission shall also approve the access arrangement established by a gas facility owner/operator which shall contain the terms and conditions for accessing such gas facility. Together, the Codes and access arrangements shall ensure that all players are subject to the same transparent procedures, terms and conditions for similar use of each gas facility, and are not prejudiced by the fact that they do not own nor are affiliated with such facilities.

The Energy Commission will also issue Guidelines from time to time in relation to competition to complement the Act and TPA Codes. At this moment, the Guidelines on Competition for the Malaysian Gas Market in Relation to Market Definition, Anti-Competitive Agreements and Abuse of Dominant Position are ready and shall provide further explanation on anti-competitive behavior and the relevant method(s) to determine anti-competitive behavior.

The objective of the TPA system is to create a situation where the gas price to end-consumers will be based on a willing-buyer-willing-seller basis, taking into account healthy competition amongst rival suppliers. However, the Government has the power to regulate the gas price for retail consumers whenever necessary in order to protect the consumer’s interest as retail consumers do not have the choice to buy the gas from other gas suppliers except from the particular retail licensee which owns  the piping system connected to such consumers.

The Energy Commission will determine the tariff for the utilization of the gas facilities. The tariff will be reasonable in order to allow the financial sustainability and good quality of services by the owner/operator and at the same time protect consumers’ interest.