BETONG, March 12: The state government is in the process of setting up more Centres of Technical Excellence (Centexs) in the state.
According to the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, these centres would be set up in Lundu, Lawas and Dalat, besides Kuching and Betong.
He said this at a press conference after officiating at the soft opening of the Betong Centexs here today.
Abang Johari who is on a two-day visit to Betong Division said such centres would equip the state with more trained technicians specialising in various fields relevant to development activities.
He said the state has been collaborating with Chinese telecommunications and digital technology giant Huawei to develop technology for smart agriculture in Betong Centexs.
“Betong which is in the Sadok agropolitan area has tremendous potential in agriculture. By using digital technology, many farm operations can be monitored and operated.
“We can do sophisticated soil analysis to determine its type and mineral content so we can identify the best crops to plant there.
“In other words, we would be able to do soil profiling which we seldom did before,” he said.
Abang Johari said although Huawei had issues with certain countries in the world, the state was looking forward to sharing the many technologies it has developed.
Besides developing smart farming, he said the Betong Centexs would also focus on developing Sarawak’s indigenous products and crafts to boost the tourism sector.
“We want to produce high quality products through computer design or simulation,” he said.
He added, Betong Centexs would offer basic electrical engineering to help produce electricians .
Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi, Minister for Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah and State Secretary Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani were among those present. — DayakDaily
