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MIRI – Leaders of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition and opposition party DAP have engaged in yet another heated public exchange over the country’s tallest state flag pole monument being built by the state authorities in Kuching.
State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has demanded that the state government leaders publicly clarify where the allocation of RM30 million is really coming from.
“It is high time for the state government to clear the air on this huge sum of money as the flagpole monument is already almost completed.
“The rakyat has the right to know who is paying for this project that has taken up so much money.
“So far, the state government leaders have not dared to name the party or company paying for this project, with the state premier only saying that it is being funded by a private company as a corporate social responsibility project.
“The rakyat has the right to know the identity of the company or donor financing this expensive project,” said Chong in a statement today.
Chong is the Padungan assemblyman and Stampin MP.
“What is the donor getting in return for sponsoring such a huge sum of money to the state for this project?
“No person or company throws such a big sum of money without anything in return,” Chong stressed.
GPS senior leader, state Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah blasted Chong in an immediate response for again challenging the state government on this flagpole project.
“Sarawak DAP is again resorting to cheap publicity stunts. They have always criticised the state government for every project we have built.
“Do not focus so much on the cost of the project. If someone in the corporate sector wants to pay for the project, let them.
“The flagpole monument is the latest icon for Sarawak. It is a tourism attraction and symbol of Sarawak,” he said, calling on DAP to “focus on more important issues”.
The 99m-high state flagpole monument is already nearing completion and is supposed to be finished in time for the July 22 Sarawak Day celebrations this year.
Its construction started at the end of last year, located next to the State Legislative Assembly Complex in Kuching across Sg Sarawak.
Earlier this year on February 1, Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing offered his support for the controversial plan to construct the flagpole monument.
Tiong, who is the Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman, called the project a “good idea”.
He said the ministry supports the project as it can help promote tourism in the state and country.
“We welcome the involvement of the private sector and support its initiatives.
“The ministry needs the active involvement of all sectors in promoting our country,” he said.
Tiong defended the project as a symbol of Sarawak’s success.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Hii had also sought details from state politicians on what was supposedly being funded by the private company.
He criticised the project as being unnecessary, and said the money could be used to fund more useful projects such as repairs to schools.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan also expressed his ire, calling the project a waste of money regardless of whether it came from the government or private sector.
He said Sarawak had nothing to be happy about with such an unnecessary and exorbitant project. – The Vibes, June 22, 2023