KUCHING: The Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (MUT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIRIM Bhd, through its subsidiary SIRIM QAS International, to strengthen collaboration on the safety, quality and performance of electrical and gas appliances in Sarawak today.

The MoU was signed by Datuk Jafri Lias, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, and Ts. Md Adha Rahmat, Chief Executive Officer of SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd, witnessed by Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, during the ministry’s Integrity Day event held at the Sarawak Chamber, Riverside Majestic.

The partnership aims to establish a conformity assessment and product verification mechanism to support MUT’s regulatory functions, including product certification, inspection, consignment testing and safety and performance evaluations for appliances entering the Sarawak market.

Julaihi said the collaboration reflected the state government’s firm commitment to consumer safety and ensured that all appliances sold in Sarawak complied with national and international standards.

“The MoU with SIRIM reflects Sarawak’s commitment to ensure that electrical and gas appliances meet safety and performance requirements in compliance with recognised national and international standards,” he said.

A key outcome of the collaboration is the introduction of a unified product certification and digital verification system.

Under this new initiative, certified appliances will carry a joint MUT-SIRIM label featuring a QR code, allowing consumers to instantly verify an appliance’s certification status via mobile applications, enhancing consumer protection and promoting quality assurance across the state.