KUCHING – The Sarawak government is urged to reconsider its plan to erect the country’s highest flagpole to fly the state flag in Petra Jaya here.
In making this call today, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the plan is a “misplaced priority and obsession of optics over substance” given that the facility is expected to cost RM30 million.
“It is reported that the flagpole is being erected to mark Sarawak’s achievements in regaining its rights and privileges under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including the elevation of its head of administration from chief minister to premier.
“I strongly believe that this is a clear case of misplaced priority and ‘obsession of optics over substance’. Such funds could be better used to invest in public infrastructure or even in our health or education,” said the DAP lawmaker in a statement.
According to Dr Yii, the best way to honour the return of Sarawak’s rights under MA63 is to ensure that such rights translate into direct benefit for the people of Sarawak.
He asserted that erecting a mere “monument” which has little significance to any ordinary Sarawakians was not the best way towards this end.
“I am grateful that due to the openness and sincerity of the current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government, we are now progressing in terms of regaining our rights including more devolution of powers to our region.
“But with ‘great power, comes great responsibility’. Additional autonomy or even allocations should be vetted and scrutinised with utmost diligence and the Sarawak government has the onus and greater responsibility to ensure they are being spent prudently, without wastage, and more importantly, benefiting the people of Sarawak.”
He added that there are greater needs that require investment in Sarawak especially healthcare and education.
“And the best way to honour our rights in MA63 is to ensure it benefits us Sarawakians as a whole, just like how it was intended by our forefathers in the beginning.”
Yesterday, a source told The Borneo Post that the Sarawak government was planning to erect the country’s highest flagpole to fly the state flag in Petra Jaya.
The source said the proposed flagpole would be 99m tall, 4m higher than the country’s current tallest flagpole at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur.
The flagpole is said to be proposed to be erected near the Tea House or Fort Margherita, in the vicinity of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex. – Borneo Post Online, January 28, 2023
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