Gundohing Murkam…the 25km claim in a straight line is not appropriate because of the hilly terrain in Sabah.
KUDAT : – The Sabah State Government Teachers’ Union (KGKS) has appealed to the Public Service Department (JPA) and the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM) to review the strict implementation of the 25-kilometer straight-line allowance claim in Sabah.
In making the call, KGKS president Gundohing Murkam Hj Hussien said that implementing the 25km claim in a straight line is not appropriate in this state because of the hilly terrain and the lack of infrastructure such as roads.
“For example, teachers working at SK Penimbawan Tuaran… there are two ways to get there: by boat along the river, which takes between 10 and 15 minutes depending on weather conditions.
“The second way is to use a car and follow the road for 78km. This means that strictly enforcing the 25km requirement is not appropriate.
“After considering the views of all KGKS members through the road show program, the union finally agreed to appeal the issue in question,” he said.
Murkam said this after gracing the KGKS Science Expedition event at the Kudat District Library Hall on Wednesday.
He stressed that the appeal was made following complaints from several members of KGKS in Sabah whose salaries were cut or who were asked to pay in installments each month, involving amounts up to tens of thousands, due to the enforcement of the 25km straight-line claim rule.
The 25-kilometer straight-line claim refers to the maximum distance allowed for travel claims, measured in a straight line (radius) on a map, from the place of residence or accommodation to the official place of duty.
This means the distance considered is the shortest distance between two points, regardless of winding paths or other obstacles on the ground.
In this case, these 25 kilometers are determined by a straight line on the map, not the actual distance traveled by road.
Murkam stated that based on feedback received by KGKS, the members concerned appeared to be shocked receiving letters from the District Education Office (PPD) without discussion or being consulted, stating that they were immediately subject to salary reduction orders.
Describing the action as an injustice, Murkam said KGKS sympathized with the plight they were facing.
“Of course, the teachers involved were affected, leading to a decrease in their enthusiasm for work… some teachers were forced to take out bank loans and sell their cars just to pay debts that were not supposed to be borne entirely by them.
The procedures for claiming the Regional Housing Allowance (RHA) are through the desk officer at the District Education Office (PPD) to verify the distance of 25km.
“Only after it was approved did the clerk process it and the headmaster approve the teacher’s application… anyone involved in this process should be responsible and share the cost of this claim,” he said.
Therefore, as the president of KGKS, which fights for the interests of teachers serving in Sabah, Murkam urged the authorities to consider the appeal.
He said KGKS also demanded that representatives from JPA and KPM go on the ground to conduct a “road show” program to provide detailed explanations about the 25km straight line issue for the benefit of all parties, thus resolving the issue of teachers’ salaries being cut unexpectedly.
