KUCHING: The federal government should prioritise developing existing unused land and strengthening basic infrastructure rather than pursuing the idea of establishing a third federal capital, said Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah.
He said the proposal by Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail to establish another capital in Borneo, in addition to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, was unnecessary, arguing that economic development in Sarawak and Sabah does not hinge on hosting a federal capital.
“I don’t see the need for too many capitals for a nation. Every country has its capital. Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s national capital, while Putrajaya already serves as the administrative capital,” he told reporters after a press conference on the 3rd Annual Assembly of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network of Gastronomy here Tuesday (Jan 27).
Abdul Karim, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information Chief said if the intention was to boost Sarawak’s economy, there were many other more pressing and practical avenues that the federal government could pursue, including improving basic infrastructure and public services.
“If you really want to develop Sarawak, look at the Pan Borneo Highway which took many years to materialise, look at the dilapidated schools in the hinterland, hospitals, clinics and rural clinics. These are all under the purview of the federal government,” he said.
He said that establishing another capital would involve large-scale land acquisition and the conversion of state land into federal land, raising concerns among Sarawakians.
“Do we want another Labuan in Sarawak? I don’t think Sarawakians would want their land to be handed over to the federal government,” he said.
Abdul Karim also pointed to a 2,020-hectare prime tract of land in Kuching that had already been alienated to the federal government during the era of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad which was envisioned as a federal administrative centre similar to Putrajaya.
“That land was supposed to be developed with federal administrative buildings and accommodation for federal officers. But until today, nothing has happened,” he said.
He urged the federal government to first develop the site or return it to the state if it was no longer intended for that purpose.
“It’s a prime piece of land — 2,020 hectares. Kuching is expanding and needs to grow not only towards Samarahan or Batu Kawah, but also towards the Matang area where this land is located,” he said.
Abdul Karim stressed that the proposal for a third capital was not a federal policy and there had been no consultation with the Sarawak government, noting that it was merely a suggestion raised by the MP for Ampang during the parliamentary debate.
“If the federal government truly wants to work with us to develop Sarawak, then develop what has already been given first,” he said.
The proposal was raised by Rodziah during the debate on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s address in the Dewan Rakyat, where she suggested a third capital be established in Borneo to complement Kuala Lumpur as the constitutional and legislative capital and Putrajaya as the administrative and executive centre.
Rodziah said the proposed capital could serve as a hub for federal judicial institutions and international arbitration, noting that the move would place Malaysia on par with South Africa, which has three capital cities.
She added that the plan could boost the economies of Sabah and Sarawak, promote development in rural and remote areas, reduce congestion in Peninsular Malaysia, and house security agencies, border control and immigration services, diplomatic hubs, as well as regional cooperation bodies, particularly within Asean and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
