Selangor’s tallest flagpole in Southeast Asia has DAP man questioning Sarawak’s RM30 mln project

KUCHING (March 9): Selangor’s new 120-metre flagpole, which is said to be the tallest in Southeast Asia at a cost of RM8.5 million, has raised questions about the 99-metre flagpole in Sarawak, said Michael Kong.

The special assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen said although Sarawak’s flagpole is significantly shorter, it cost three times more at RM30 million.

“This stark discrepancy deserves a clear and transparent explanation from the Sarawak government,” he said in a statement.

Kong claimed he had previously stated the construction cost for the 99-metre flagpole ranged from RM5.59 million to RM6.45 million based on professional engineers’ estimation.

“Yet until today, there has been no proper disclosure on the total cost breakdown of Sarawak’s 99-metre flagpole. More importantly, the public has also not been informed about the identity of the company that reportedly financed the project, nor the exact arrangement under which the project was undertaken,” he said.

According to him, the state government is obligated to ensure that funds spent on government projects are handled transparently and prudently.

Public infrastructure projects cannot be shielded from scrutiny simply by claiming that they are privately funded, he said.

Kong stated the state government must reveal the total cost of the 99-metre flagpole project, detailed cost breakdown, the company or entity that paid for it, and the procurement or selection process involved in the construction.

“When a project appears to cost several times more than comparable projects elsewhere, the government has a responsibility to explain how resources entrusted to it are being managed,” he added.