By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 1: The Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) and Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) Sarawak have urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to study the unique fuel needs of rural civil servants before introducing new policies.
In a statement today, STU president and CUEPACS Sarawak chairman Kullin Djayang welcomed KPDN’s decision to cancel a proposed measure affecting fuel usage, noting that the move is important to prevent leakage and avoid burdening civil servants in the State, particularly teachers.
He said KPDN should engage directly with the District Education Offices (PPD) to identify schools and teachers who genuinely require diesel and RON95, noting that fuel usage in rural schools remains essential for electricity generation and transportation in remote areas.
“There are schools in the interior still relying on diesel-powered generators for electricity, while some teachers depend on fuel for boat transport to reach school,” he said in the statement.
He added that Sarawak’s vast geography, with many areas still surrounded by forests and rivers, requires a more targeted and practical approach to fuel allocation.
Kullin also suggested that KPDN coordinate with all relevant State departments to obtain accurate data on public servants who are heavy users of diesel and RON95 to ensure future policies do not unintentionally burden them. — DayakDaily
