I appeal to the Sarawak Government and the Premier to reconsider their plans to erect the “country’s highest flagpole” in Petra Jaya which is reported to cost up to RM30 million of public funds.
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, including the elevation of the head of the state’s administration from chief minister to premier.
I strongly believe that this clearly is a case of misplaced priority 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.
The best way to honour the return of our 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 YAB Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government, we are not progressing in terms of returning of our rights including more devolution or powers to our region.
But with “great power, comes great responsibility”. Additional autonomy or even allocations should be vetted and scruitinised with utmost diligence and the Sarawak Government has the onus and greater responsibility to ensure its being spent prudently, without wastage, and more importantly benefiting the people of Sarawak.
There are greater needs that can be invested in here in Sarawak especially when it comes to healthcare and even in 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 fore fathers in the beginning.