KINABATANGAN, May 3 (Bernama) -- In the past, residents of Kampung Imbak in
Tongod were forced to travel between five to six hours to buy petrol or diesel
from petrol stations in Sandakan or Telupid.
If it is sold by traders in their village, it would cost a whopping RM3 for
a bottle of petrol (compared to the subsidised price of RM1.90 per litre for RON
95) and RM2.50 for diesel (RM1.80 per litre).
However, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC)
now offers licences to eligible individuals in each village to sell petrol and
diesel at subsidised prices.
The difficulty they faced in obtaining petrol and diesel for their electric
generator or fishing boats have made them more appreciative of the government
initiatives.
They were grateful and relieved that the government demonstrated concern on
the problem they faced daily.
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SABAH-SUBSIDY 2 KINABATANGAN
Now, despite living in a rural area, villagers of Kampung Imbak can get
petrol and diesel at subsidised prices enjoyed by their urban counterparts.
A villager, Joy Dominic, 20, said they no longer need to worry about using
boat engines, cars, motorcycles and generator sets to light up their homes.
"Before there was subsidised petrol in the village, we had to buy them at
higher prices of almost RM4 per litre from individual sellers.
"The government has not neglected us although we live far away," said Joy.
Village chief Samiun Bungias, who was given a licence to sell subsidised
petrol and diesel since last December, described the government''s move as one
that lessened the burden of villagers.
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SABAH-SUBSIDY 3 (LAST) KINABATANGAN
Samiun said an estimated 500 litres of petrol and 200 litres of diesel was
sold at his premises, of which the supply was received from Sandakan once a
week.
He said the petrol and diesel was not only enjoyed by locals, but also
people living in surrounding areas like Inarat, Pinangah, Karamuak who work on
private oil palm plantations.
The petrol selling facility completes Kampung Imbak''s infrastructure which
has not only received power supply since last year, but also a primary school
and nursery, community hall and roads, as well as water supply from the Gunung
Tingkal Forest Reserve.
Another villager, Abu Bakar, 20, said the facility was a necessity as it
fueled the boat his family used as a main form of transportation and for him to
catch fish in the river.
"We villagers are grateful for the government''s help. Urban residents never
felt the difficulty we went through to buy petrol, so they will not understand
our level of appreciation for this," he added.
The move to offer subsidised petrol and diesel to the people showed how
serious the government was in assisting the people, regardless of their location
and despite incurring high costs to the government.
-- BERNAMA
HG MNY SN IZ AO
