KUCHING: The state government has hit back at suggestions that the RM30 million tallest flagpole project reeked of extravagance and misplaced priority on its part.
In doing so, the Premier’s Chief Political Secretary, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, questioned why detractors found it difficult to understand that the project is being undertaken by the private sector as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Stressing that no state funds were being used for the project he said it will be a symbol of pride for Sarawak, being a tourist attraction which in turn will benefit small businesses especially nearby villagers.
“It has to be said, the justifications for this project and its value have been explained numerous times before in the press.
“It surprising to see a lawyer, a politician and an assemblyman having such limited ability to grasp basic facts and instead choosing to distort these facts,” he said in a statement yesterday (July 2).
Fazzrudin who is Tupong assemblyman said this in response to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen describing the tallest flagpole project in Sarawak as a ‘symbol of extravagance’.
He said Chong had also alleged that the project represented the state government’s ‘non-accountability’ on the matter.
“The Sarawak government has always adhered to the concept of transparency and accountability in its financial management,” he said.
Fazzrudin stressed that the government’s focus was on developing infrastructure throughout the state, pointing to the substantial investment made by the Premier in completing previously cancelled bridge projects after the 14th General Election (GE14).
“The state government has also allocated significant funds for ensuring comprehensive water supply infrastructure and uninterrupted electricity throughout Sarawak.
“The Sarawak government also paid about RM1 billion to the federal government a few years ago to help repair dilapidated schools and at the same time, is using state funds to build its own schools.
“Assistance was also rendered during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the Sarawak government spending RM6.7 billion through the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) packages.
“It is not a case of misplaced priorities as alleged by detractors including Chong. Concerted efforts are made to develop Sarawak by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government,” he said.
He urged the DAP and Chong to prioritise the needs of the people and work collaboratively with the Sarawak government.
“I urge both Chong and the DAP to do more for the people of Sarawak rather than just express their grievances in the newspapers and work hand in hand with the Sarawak government to cater to the needs of the people on the ground.
“That is what unity means with both DAP and GPS being part of the unity federal government and the Sarawak DAP as a responsible opposition at the state level,” he said.
