A cool RM100 mil for Merdeka bash

Apparently the government has allocated RM100 million to celebrate the nation’s 50 Merdeka bash.

The extravaganza celebration in the name of celebrating the 50th anniversary makes previous years’ spending pale in comparison. In 2005, RM35 million of the tax payers money was spent while in 2006, it was RM38 million.

The breakdown of the major events for this year is as follows:

Launch of Merdeka celebrations /raising Jalur Gemilang in Malacca on Aug 17 - RM3 million
Ambang Merdeka in Dataran Merdeka, KL on the eve night - RM8.2 million
Merdeka Parade at Dataran Merdeka, KL - RM26 million
Merdeka Tea Party at Istana Negara - RM100,000
Massive Merdeka Celebrations at Merdeka Stadium, KL - RM17 million
Close of Merdeka anniversary celebrations in Kuching to be held on Sept 10 - RM4 million
Flying Jalur Gemilang - RM8.5 million

And then there is the RM7.2 million for all parliamentary constituencies under the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage and RM8 million under the Ministry of Youth and Sports for Youth Day programme in connection with the 50th Merdeka anniversary.

Inevitably there would be more money being spent to celebrate this momentous occasion - in ministries, states, districts etc. So the final tally will surely breach the RM100 million mark.

Strangely despite so much of money being spent on the celebrations, I still do not feel the celebratory mood on the ground. Am I alone in this? Or is this a general feeling?