By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, Nov 8: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate immediately the “overpriced” Darul Hana Musical Fountain project, which cost RM31 million.
Debating the State Budget 2019 here this morning, Yong alleged that the project was a blatant abuse of taxpayers’ money and that someone had inflated the cost for personal gains.
“We all know that all the parts in this musical fountain are made from China, and it is impossible that it has to cost RM31 million to build this fountain. This is ridiculous! I can tell you there is nothing so special about this fountain.
“Like all normal fountains, it has only three basic components, that is water, lights and music. I don’t see any special effects that come with fountain flame, like the famous fountain in Dubai.”
She said she had received public feedback that the quality of the show was not even up to par, where the music was not even synchronised with the dancing water and lights.
“It seems that the dancing water is enjoying its own dancing whereas the music is playing on its own. And the light is flashing like nobody’s business. And you tell me this has to cost taxpayers’ money of RM31 million?”
Yong said details of the project, especially the contractors involved in building the musical fountain, were not made public.
She said she was made to understand that no open tender was called for the project, which was parked under North Kuching City Hall (DBKU). During the construction stage, no project signboard was erected, she noted.
“What is ironic is that until now the state government does not dare to disclose the name of the company that constructed the so-called RM31 million ‘unsynchronised’ fountain.
“When pressed by the media, our YAB CM (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) tried to avoid the issue. If there wasn’t anything to hide, why (be) scared in disclosing the detail? Don’t we all feel that something is fishy and abnormal is going on?”
Alleging that a top civil servant and am acquaintance of his were in the know of the overpriced deal, she urged the MACC to investigate the project immediately.
“These two persons were monitoring this project together closely before the launching of the fountain.
“Someone asked me, does this person seem like, look like and sound like the Sarawak version of Jho Low?”. — DayakDaily
