By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, March 17: The digital economy implemented by the state government is not gender-biased but provides a platform for people to be recognised based on merit.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the state-level International Women’s Day event today said the state government’s efforts to transform the economy heading towards 2030 through the digital economy will provide equal opportunity to both men and women.
“In fact, digitalisation does not mean that it is meant for one gender. It transcends gender. Whoever can control the latest technology, they will advance forward,” he said during the event at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
Abang Johari who is also the Finance and Economic Planning Minister said the state government has sent a Sarawakian woman to take postgraduate studies in China and for an internship with Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd (Huawei) in China.
Abang Johari disclosed that the woman was also recognised by Huawei for her talents.
He also noted women have proved their capabilities in programming and virtual reality in the field of technology.
“In Sarawak, in our effort to move forward through the digital economy, the roles will be based on merit. Whoever that has the qualifications and possesses the latest knowledge in the new era, they will be there (at the top)
“There will be a platform that will be based on merit. If you have the merit and you can do it, that is yours,” he added.
Abang Johari acknowledged that the current situation is different compared to the past which was based on the feudal system.
He revealed that the state development agenda also includes women and their participation to transform the state towards developed and high income status by 2030 and that women who possess the latest knowledge as well as are good in accounting will also be included in policy-making and state administration.
Among those who attended the state-level International Women’s Day celebration were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Assistant Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Assistant Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and invited guests. — DayakDaily
