KUALA LUMPUR (April 11): The Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (Margma) has called for urgent action by the authorities to provide alternative gas supplies at reasonable costs amid a supply disruption which has entered the 11th day.
Margma members are among the remaining 281 affected gas users which are seeing disruptions due to the fire at Petronas Gas Bhd’s (KL:PETGAS) gas pipeline near Putra Heights on April 1.
The Energy Commision, as the regulator of gas supply, is prioritising gas supply to essential sectors like hospitals, food, and pharmaceuticals amid disruptions.
In its statement, Margma urged the Energy Commission to include gas supply to glove manufacturers in its priority list, noting their vital role in global healthcare alongside the hospitals, food, and pharmaceutical sectors.
“This situation must be treated with urgency as it is crucial to minimise production interruptions on the critical supply of rubber gloves, an essential medical device for the global healthcare market, including hospitals, clinics, and other essential industries. Any extended downtime could have repercussions on the global availability of these essential goods,” the association said.
Margma said action by the authorities will help its members maintain operations without incurring further financial burdens.
They recently attended a dialogue with the Energy Commission, Gas Malaysia Bhd (KL:GASMSIA), Petronas Energy & Gas Trading, and Gas Malaysia Energy & Services.
The appeal comes days after the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers raised concerns about major operational and business disruptions faced by around 200 companies due to a 20-day gas supply outage after the Putra Heights pipeline fire.
It said affected manufacturers, many of whom depend on reliable and secure gas supply for production, are facing potential production stoppages, financial losses and severe disruptions to their supply chains due to the disruption.
Gas supply is expected to be restored by April 20, 2025.
The pipeline gas fire incident left 81 houses completely destroyed with structural damage exceeding 40% and another 81 houses partially destroyed.
Authorities are investigating negligence, possible criminal activity, as well as mechanical, environmental, operational, and safety factors, as possible causes.