The diesel shortage in Sarawak may force express bus operators to curtail or cancel scheduled services, with one anticipated 'casualty' being the Gawai Dayak festival in June - unless the crisis is solved by then.

Sarawak Bus Transport Companies Association chairperson Tan Jin Kok warned passengers to be prepared to celebrate the annual end-of-harvest festival away from their villages on June 1 and 2.

"If there is not enough diesel for our members to operate (services), we might have to suspend operations," he warned.

He stressed that this was not a threat but a statement of reality, pointing out that people could see for themselves that bus operators are among those who have joined the long daily queues for diesel.

Tan claimed that between 10 and 25 percent of the schedule of bus companies are already affected by the fuel shortage.

Disgruntled lorry drivers have also aired their grouses, saying they may have no choice but to leave stalled vehicles even in the middle of the road when the diesel runs out.

The Sarawak Hired Lorries Association has been calling for the resignation of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (MDTCA) Minister Shafie Apdal, for failing to keep a pledge to increase the state's diesel quota and insisting, instead, that the situation is under control.

The association has appealed to the Office of Chief Minister for assistance.

No results

The state sent a high-powered delegation, led by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu, to Kuala Lumpur to meet Shafie over the weekend, but the well publicised trip yielded no results.

State Utility Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who was in the delegation, would only say that the diesel shortage would be at the top of the state cabinet meeting this week. A solution would be proposed to the MDTCA.

Since last October, the diesel crisis has spread from Bintulu to Kuching and other major urban centres in the state.

In Kuching, roads leading to petrol stations that sell diesel are choked as early as 6.30am daily as motorists join queues that stretch for several kilometres.

Even operators of commercial vehicles, who are meant to get diesel supply from designated depots at the industrial rate, have been forced to try their luck at petrol stations.

Bernama today reported that Sarawak will propose a solution to the diesel shortage that will benefit all parties and take the national interest into account

Jabu said the increase in diesel quota would not be the best solution to the current shortage but rather, the critical role played by all parties directly involved in diesel usage.

"All parties must play their role to overcome the shortage of diesel," he told reporters.

JIMMY TEOH is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer