KUCHING: Sarawakians have every right to question the government’s spending on any project or infrastructure and thus should not be merely dismissed as politicking or painted as an opposition agenda.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said this is especially when it is of public interest and involves a significant amount of public funds.
“Abdul Karim cannot simply expect the public to ‘appreciate it’ and ‘dismiss’ this issue and merely claim that the ‘Sarawak government has its reasons’ when this involves public interest,” he said.
He said this in a statement in response to Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah saying the construction of the RM30 million flagpole is a non-issue and should have been something to be appreciated and not turned into an issue for political gain.
Yii added that the government cannot build whatever it wants, even with additional funds.
“It must be vetted and scrutinised with utmost diligence and the state government has the onus and greater responsibility to ensure it is being spent prudently, without wastage, and more importantly benefiting the people of Sarawak,” he added.
He pointed out that Abdul Karim’s statement has confirmed that it was the intention of the state to build this in the first place involving public funds, only for the private sector to step in later.
“This raises questions on priorities and questions need to be asked on why they feel this has to be built in the first place, over many other needs and burdens all around Sarawak, especially those directly impacting normal Sarawakians,” he added.
Yii then stated that in his view, it is clearly a misplacing of priorities and a misplaced obsession of optics over substance.
“On top of that, Abdul Karim’s statement contradicts the official statement released by the Premier of Sarawak’s office when he confirmed that the construction of the flagpole is to ‘remind Sarawakians of how far the State has come especially when claiming back its rights’,” he added.
Yii said it is contrary to the official statement from the Premier’s office which clearly states that ‘the project has no relation to the issue of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)’.
“This has to be properly clarified, if not it will give a perception that the from clarification from the office was merely an after-thought after the backlash it suffered from Sarawakians.
“Fact of the matter is, it does not take a flagpole to remind us of the importance of our rights, or for us to be proud as a Sarawakian,” he added.
He stated that the best way to honour the return of the rights under MA63 is to ensure that such rights translate into direct benefit for the people of Sarawak.
“And not by erecting a mere monument which has little significance to any ordinary Sarawakians,” he added.
