SUPP Youth: DAP Sarawak misleading public over state flagpole project

MIRI (March 12): The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak has attempted to mislead the public by raising questions about the Sarawak flagpole project and exaggerating its cost for political publicity, said Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth Central vice chairman Kelvin Hii.

Hii said the issue was being sensationalised despite clear differences between the Sarawak project and the recent controversy surrounding the Selangor flagpole project.

He noted that since its completion in 2024, the Sarawak flagpole has become a symbolic landmark representing the state’s unity, stability, progress and prosperity, while also contributing to tourism development.

“The Sarawak flagpole project was fully funded and built by private oil and gas companies before being handed over to the Sarawak government, making it fundamentally different from the Selangor project which was funded by the state government,” he said in a press statement.

He added that the project cost covered not only the construction of the flagpole, but also related infrastructure and installation works, including the development and beautification of a park, a riverside jetty, a teahouse, drainage systems and several other facilities.

He also noted that the Sarawak flagpole was constructed along a riverbank, while the Selangor flagpole stands in an existing public square, making direct comparisons between the two projects inappropriate.

Hii questioned why DAP Sarawak chose to raise the issue again following the controversy surrounding the Selangor flagpole, suggesting that any concerns should instead be raised through proper channels.

“If there are questions, they should be addressed through the appropriate processes instead of creating sensational headlines in the media merely to gain publicity,” he said.

Hii also pointed out that the Sarawak project was undertaken by large private oil and gas companies which would have professional teams to audit project costs.

“Would a large oil and gas company not have professional teams to audit project costs, or would a private company intentionally spend more money to overpay for construction? Both assumptions are illogical,” he said.

He stressed that Sarawak’s economy is currently growing rapidly and development is progressing across many sectors, adding that unity and stability are important to ensure continued progress.

He urged DAP Sarawak to focus more on issues related to safeguarding the state’s rights, including matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and oil and gas matters.

DAP should make use of its 40 parliamentary seats to advocate for Sarawak’s interests so that the state can secure more revenue for development and bring greater benefits to its people, he said.

“Instead of twisting local issues and misleading the public, such actions only risk undermining Sarawak’s stability,” he added.