KUCHING, May 7: The controversial flagpole project costing RM 28 million to build, is expected to be completed by November 30 this year.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Communication Sarawak (Utility) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi who is also responsible for the project revealed that as of April 23, the project is 25.2 per cent completed and ahead of schedule.
“By schedule, the status of work done as of April 23 should be 18.18 so it is 7.02 per cent faster than expected,” he said, according to a TVS report yesterday.
Dr Abdul Rahman disclosed that Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) has been tasked with implementing the project while KKB Engineering Berhad is constructing it.
He revealed that DBKU has already confirmed that the cost of the project is RM28 million and not RM30 million as reported earlier by the media.
According to TVS, local media also reported the flagpole will measure 99 metres tall, which is four metres higher than the national flagpole at Merdeka Square Kuala Lumpur.
It said that the issue of the flagpole became controversial when it was announced on Jan 28 by the Sarawak Premier’s Office. It was reported to be fully financed by the private sector under corporate social responsibility. The flagpole project is to mark the 60th anniversary of Sarawak in the formation of Malaysia.
A statement by the Sarawak Premier’s Office clarified that the project to build this gigantic flagpole has nothing to do with any issue related to Malaysia Agreement 1963.
On Feb 2, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg confirmed that the Sarawak government’s role was to identify the site to build the flagpole opposite the Kuching Waterfront.
This was after various speculations especially by the opposition which argued that the money would be better spent on the people. — DayakDaily
