KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii appealed to the state government and the premier to reconsider their plans to erect the country’s highest flagpole in Petra Jaya.
“It is reported that the flagpole 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.
“However, it is also reported that the pole cost up to RM30 million in public funds to be erected.
“I strongly believe that this clearly is a case of misplaced priorities and a misplaced ‘obsession of optics over substance’.
“Such funds could be better used to invest in public infrastructure or even in our health or education,” he opined.
In his Facebook page, he further emphasised 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.
“I am grateful that, due to the openness and sincerity of the current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government, we are now progressing in terms of returning our rights, including more devolution of powers to our state.
“But with great power comes great responsibility. Additional autonomy or even allocations should be vetted and scrutinised with the utmost diligence, and the Sarawak government has the onus and greater responsibility to ensure they are spent prudently, without wastage, and more importantly, benefiting the people of Sarawak,” he said.
Having said that, Yii pointed out that there are greater needs that can be invested in Sarawak, especially when it comes to healthcare and even education.
“And the best way to honour our rights in MA63 is to ensure it benefits us Sarawakians as a whole, just like how it was intended by our forefathers in the beginning,” he said.
