By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Feb 16: Rural development in Sarawak will never be marginalised nor forgotten even as the State government boosts its digitisation efforts.
In giving this assurance, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said rural infrastructure and modernisation of agriculture as paths to develop Sarawak as a whole remains as the government’s main focus.
“While it is known that developing Sarawak is a big challenge due to its vast size, therefore, the government’s priority right now is to provide electricity and clean water supply for those in interior areas.
“Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is among those involved in helping the rural community in obtaining basic facilities which the government has been unable to channel. Micro hydroelectric projects in several villages in the interiors are among them.
“I hope these projects can be continued and extended to other rural areas for the benefit of the people in the interior,” Abang Johari said at Unimas’ 25th convocation ceremony here today.
Abang Johari, who is also the university’s pro-chancellor said what Unimas has accomplished is very much in line with the State government’s efforts to find alternative solutions to water woes along Sarawak’s coastal areas.
He anticipates that Unimas will intensify such project rollouts to benefit not just local communities but also with an eye on commercialisation internationally.
“On top of that, the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway project from Teluk Melano to Lawas is now in full swing. The RM29 billion project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
“Once we have a good highway network system, this will attract foreign companies to invest in Sarawak, and in return, open up more job opportunities. That is why I am confident it will have a huge impact on Sarawak, in terms of socio-economic development of the people,” Abang Johari added.
The Sarawak government has been embarking on efforts to strengthen its digital economy network in both urban and rural areas since 2017 with strategic frameworks, action plans and various implementations.
Abang Johari said Unimas’ role and contribution are very much needed as the latter was entrusted by the State government to co-ordinate the Sarawak Centre of Excellence (CoE) which acts as the main driver to enable research and technology development activities.
To support Sarawak’s digital economy vision, Abang Johari said they are working to develop high speed Internet infrastructure State-wide.
“That is why we allocated RM1 billion for ICT upgrades, and created a digital village in Sama Jaya as well. In addition, we’ve also developed the Sarikei Innovation Centre as well as established the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) and Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) which are expected to accelerate and boost our digital economy policies.
“This must be done and we must move fast to stay relevant with the current needs and era,” Abang Johari added. — DayakDaily
