KUCHING, Jan 28: There are greater needs that can be addressed in Sarawak, especially when it comes to healthcare and education, instead of erecting the country’s highest flagpole.
According to Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, he strongly believes that this clearly is a case of misplaced priority and an “obsession of optics over substance”.
“Such funds could be better used to invest in public infrastructure or even in our health or education,” he said in a statement today.
The flagpole in question is being erected to mark Sarawak’s achievements in regaining its rights and privileges under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including the elevation of the head of the State’s administration from chief minister to premier.
He opined that 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, not by erecting a mere “monument” which has little significance to any ordinary Sarawakians.
He said that additional autonomy or even allocations should be vetted and scrutinised with utmost diligence.
“The Sarawak government has the onus and greater responsibility to ensure it spends prudently, without wastage, and more importantly in ways that benefit the people of Sarawak.
“I appeal to the Sarawak government and the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to reconsider their plans to erect the country’s highest flagpole in Petra Jaya which is reported to cost up to RM30 million in public funds,” he added. — DayakDaily
