THE controversial 99-metre state flagpole project in Kuching that cost a mind-boggling RM30 million to build will be given a special name before midnight tomorrow.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg will grace the ceremony during the state’s grand new year’s eve celebration which will also feature a public countdown to midnight.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Culture and Talent Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah today said that Abang Johari will name the flagpole and declare the site open to the public.
"It will be a new tourism icon for Sarawak,” he said. "It is the highest flagpole in state and country and also Southeast Asia.
"We will welcome the new year with the unveiling of the new tourism icon during the countdown that will also feature a public concert," he told the press in Kuching when visiting the countdown venue at the Sarawak Waterfront in the state capital today.
Karim invited the public to turn out in grand numbers to the waterfront to welcome 2024 with state government leaders.
Commenting on the new Covid-19 variant infections that are spreading, especially in Kuching, he said the public should take precautions but should not be frightened.
"Take the necessary precautions like wearing facemask but there is no need to avoid the event," he said.
The flagpole and its huge cost have been the subject of intense debate, with critics from political and non-political sides slamming the project as wasteful.
The leaders of ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and opposition Sarawak DAP had regularly engaged in heated public exchanges over the issue.
State DAP chairman Chong Chien Jen had earlier this year demanded the government leaders to publicly clarify where the allocation of RM30 million was coming from.
"The rakyat has the right to know who is paying for this project that has taken up so much money,” he had said.
"What is the donor getting in return for sponsoring such a huge sum of money to the state for this project?”
Abang Johari said it was being funded by a private company as a corporate social responsibility initiative.
Karim had the next day blasted Chong for challenging the state government with a “cheap publicity stunt.”
"Do not focus so much on the cost of the project. If someone in the corporate sector want to pay for the project, let them,” he said, pointing out that it will be a tourism attraction and icon.
The flagpole was initially supposed to be finished in time for the July 22 Sarawak Day celebrations this year.
Its construction started end of last year at the monument site located next to the State Legislative Assembly Complex along the Sg Sarawak river.
On February 1, Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing had offered support for the project. – The Vibes, December 30, 2023
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