When The Borneo Post broke the news, that the Sarawak government of Abang Jo had green-light the building of an RM30 million flag pole - the tallest in the country, the reaction from the general public was one of bewilderment and head-scratching.
At a time when the world is heading into recession, with citizens tightening their belts, businesses floundering and a federal government calling for financial austerity; this latest stunt runs counter to the reality of the times.
In response to the public outcry, the Premier’s Office released a statement, claiming that the RM30 million will be funded by the private sector as a community-service-requirement project that would involve more than just erecting a singular flag pole. A whole complex would be built around the flag pole that would be treated as a tourist attraction for the city of Kuching. This sounds good on paper but is it needed?
“This office wishes to clarify that the project is funded by the private sector a CSR (corporate social responsibility) contribution in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Sarawak as a party to the formation of Malaysia. The project shall include the development of the designated site as well as its vicinity, and has no relation to the issue of MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963),” the Premier Office said in a statement.
It added that the project will become part of the tourism infrastructure in Kuching, as well as to show loyalty to Sarawak.
“Hopefully, it will become an inspiration for all Sarawakians to serve Sarawak,” the statement further added.
RM30 million can help so many and it is strange that the private sector chose to invest in a flag pole.
Sarawak is surely blessed with such a kind-hearted private sector that would readily donate RM30 million, with approval from the state government, for a project that stands to grace the city skyline with the tallest flag pole in the country.
Mind my skepticism because some things sound too good to be true. A flag pole expected to elevate the sense of patriotism among Sarawakians is a tall order especially during trying times such as these.
Therefore it is only right that the state government is ready to be truly transparent and open on this project. They should not be defensive when the public demands answers to what may amount to another white elephant project that’s sole purpose is to line the pockets of certain individuals.
And if the state government claims that this is a non-requirement, then they should be reminded that any private company that has the capital to fund an RM30 million project is still answerable to its stakeholders and shareholders. They too will demand answers once the private sector entity is named.
RM30 million in itself can go a long way in helping out Sarawak, than just being limited to a tourist attraction. It can fund education for interior schools, rebuild broken infrastructure, improve public health facilities throughout the state or revitalise activities within the tourism industry that took a blow during the COVID lockdown.
RM30 million can go into the up-skilling and re-skilling of countless workers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. RM30 million can go far in providing funds for the education of the poor, to help combat poverty with education.
So much can be achieved with a longer-lasting impact than to have a tourist attraction, with a pole as its centre-piece.
Maclean Patrick is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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