Diesel sold at twice the price in rural Sarawak
By STEPHEN THEN, The Star
Friday June 13, 2008
MIRI: The price of diesel in parts of rural central Sarawak has rocketed to higher than RM5 per litre, more than double the Government-approved price of RM2.58 per litre.
This 100% difference in price is caused by the sharp rise in the cost of transporting the fuel from the fuel depots in urban areas.
The Government raised the price of petrol and diesel by 78 cents and RM1 respectively to RM2.70 and RM2.58 per litre last Wednesday, but the increase in rural Sarawak has far exceeded the Government limits.
Rural folk, most of whom are already living in poverty and without fixed incomes, are fuming at having to pay double just to run their rice-mills and generators at their homes.
Catholic priest turned social activist, Reverend Father Michael Jok, said in an interview yesterday that the rural folk were wondering if Government leaders in the state and federal capital knew about this price situation in rural pockets of the country.
“The price of fuel has shot up by 100% in places like the interior Kapit division (in central Sarawak). Previously it was about RM10 per four litres, now it is RM20.
“Due to this sharp increase, private vans that ferry people from rural longhouses out to towns like Belaga and Bintulu have also increased their fares by the same margin.
“From the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme (near the Bakun dam) to Bintulu town, the private van fares have increased from RM35 per person per way to RM50.
In urban locations, members of the public could always complain to enforcement agencies against blatant price increases.
“However, the situation in rural areas can easily go unnoticed,??? he said.
Father Michael appealed for urgent steps to be taken to help those in the rural areas.