By Antonia Chiam
“I have, time and time again, said that data is an increasingly valuable economic commodity in both the public and private sector to drive economic growth.” Abang Johari (September 15, 2021)
THE trajectory of nations and regions in the modern era is increasingly determined by their ability to navigate the complexities and opportunities of the digital age. Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recognised this fundamental truth early on, understanding that for Sarawak to thrive in the 21st century and beyond, a comprehensive embrace of digital technology is not merely an option, but a necessity.
In 2017, he committed RM1 billion for 2018 to expand the ICT infrastructure throughout Sarawak, including building 600 telco towers over two years with 5G capabilities to connect rural and underserved areas, which are not economically viable for private telco service providers to invest in. With a clear vision for a digitally empowered Sarawak, his administration embarked on an ambitious and wide-ranging transformation. To power this journey, two key institutions were established in 2017 to serve as the operational core of Sarawak’s digital future.
The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) was formed to spearhead the implementation of the State’s digital economy agenda. It function as a catalyst for the development of digital businesses, infrastructure, and services, while nurturing local innovation through initiatives such as Digital Innovation Hubs, the Digital Village, and Community Digital Centres. Complementing this, the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) was created to regulate and coordinate the digital and telecommunications ecosystem. SMA ensures orderly development and oversight, including broadband expansion, data infrastructure, and 5G readiness, while also framing policies that safeguard public interest and innovation. Together, SDEC and SMA laid the administrative and infrastructural groundwork for Sarawak’s digital leap.
Early Milestones
By 2020, Sarawak’s early digital initiatives were already bearing fruit, especially during the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. The SMA played a central role in harnessing digital tools to protect public health and streamline crisis management. To help curb and monitor the spread of the virus, SMA developed a digital tracking system using a QR wristband, enabling the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to track movements and exposures at all points of entry into the State. This digital surveillance solution provided the State with a scalable, tech-driven monitoring framework that proved invaluable at the height of the pandemic.
To further support information flow and public trust, SMA launched the official mobile app i-Alerts, keeping Sarawakians updated with verified news and timely health alerts. It was also instrumental in combating misinformation during the crisis. Beyond software solutions, SMA also collaborated with local maker communities across various organisations to support frontline workers. At the Creative Heritage Innovation Centre in Bangunan Yayasan Sarawak, face shields were produced using 3D printers and laser cutters, showcasing the State’s capacity to mobilise digital fabrication tools in times of need.
Sarawak’s Network of Innovation Hubs
Meanwhile, Sarawak’s ecosystem for digital innovation was being strengthened through the establishment of business incubators. The Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas) Innovation Hub, launched by Abang Johari in August 2017 at i-Com Square, served as a central platform for nurturing entrepreneurial talent.
This model was subsequently expanded with Digital Innovation Hubs in Bintulu, Miri, and Sarikei, each offering co-working spaces, internet access, and event facilities to spur digital entrepreneurship across all divisions.
At the same time, plans for the RM27 million Sarawak Digital Village at Samajaya Free High Tech Park came to fruition with its official launch in November 2021. This significant development realised the vision of a launchpad for technology transfer, start-up incubation, and partnerships with global accelerators, further anchoring Sarawak’s position as a regional innovation hub.
Transcending Boundaries
Unlike the other Malaysian states, Sarawak’s vast geographical expanse and its large rural populace present unique challenges in terms of digital connectivity and infrastructure. Abang Johari is determined to overcome these hurdles, viewing digitalisation as a means of fostering inclusive economic growth, improving government service delivery, and empowering the State’s young population to engage in the global digital economy.
The foundation of this effort was laid with the launch of the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018–2022, launched by Abang Johari in 2017. This strategy served as the State’s first structured roadmap to digitalisation, offering clear objectives and actionable initiatives aimed at transitioning Sarawak towards digital economy.
It was designed not only to modernise industries and improve service delivery, but also to ensure that Sarawakians across the urban-rural divide could actively participate in and benefit from the digital age. The strategy recognised that digital transformation was crucial for overcoming geographical challenges and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The strategy was both a policy framework and a declaration of intent, an effort to position Sarawak not just as a digital leader within Malaysia but as a competitive player in the regional digital economy, aligning with global trends and the increasing contribution of the digital economy to global gross domestic product (GDP).
Improving Rural Connectivity Gaps
Among the landmark efforts was the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN), a government-led initiative aimed at extending high-speed internet to underserved areas using wireless technologies. This flagship project was conceived with the explicit goal of extending high-speed internet access to even the most remote and underserved communities within the State, which includes the deployment of fibre optic cables in more accessible areas and the utilisation of Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology for truly remote settlements.
The State government also advanced its connectivity ambitions through the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunications (SMART) initiative, which extended telecommunications access to non-commercially viable rural areas, enabling access to telehealth, education, e-commerce, and other digital services. As of January 2025, the Sarawak government announced their plan to expand 585 MySRBN to provide high-quality internet access and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), assisting rural communities to increase their participation in the digital economy, which includes online businesses.
Beyond connecting rural areas, the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy also placed significant emphasis on the development of smart cities within its urban centres. Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, and Sibu were identified as key areas for the integration of advanced technologies to enhance the quality of urban living. The vision for these smart cities encompasses leveraging data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other cutting-edge solutions to improve efficiency in critical urban functions, including intelligent traffic management systems to alleviate congestion, enhanced public safety through integrated surveillance and response networks, improved healthcare delivery via digital platforms and connected medical facilities, and smarter waste management systems for a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.
Seamless Digital Access
As Sarawak embarked on its ambitious digital transformation through Abang Johari, one of the early and significant initiatives was the launch of Sarawak Pay in November 2017. The application was later enhanced and renamed S Pay Global, following efforts to expand its capabilities beyond local digital transactions.
This transformation marked a critical step toward building a cashless society, enabling users to make secure payments, access government services, and conduct cross-border transactions. S Pay Global has since become a cornerstone of Sarawak’s digital economy, promoting financial inclusion and empowering both urban and rural communities to fully participate in the digital age. As of December 2022, S Pay Global had garnered significant adoption, with 657,824 registered users actively utilising the platform for various financial activities.
S Pay Global’s launch serves as a crucial step in the State’s digital journey, laying the groundwork for broader integration of digital services. As the digital infrastructure matured and the need for secure, centralised access to government services became more apparent, SarawakID was widely promoted from 2019 onwards. This unified digital identity platform provides citizens with secure access to a wide spectrum of public services through a single login. By October 2023, SarawakID had achieved a substantial user base with 801,000 registered users. Programmes such as the Kenyalang Gold Card and the Endowment Fund Sarawak were made more accessible and efficient through this centralised digital identity system.
Together, S Pay Global and SarawakID form the backbone of Sarawak’s digital public service ecosystem, delivering transparency, convenience, and efficiency in an increasingly digitised administrative landscape.
Workforce for the Digital Age
Abang Johari’s digital transformation agenda is not solely built on infrastructure, it is equally focused on people. The Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy includes targeted initiatives to upskill the population with competencies in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, coding, and digital marketing. In collaboration with academic institutions and technology partners, SDEC has launched numerous training programmes to prepare Sarawak’s youth and workforce for the demands of the digital era.
This focus on human capital also extends to businesses. Through SDEC, entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) receive support in adopting digital tools, scaling their businesses, and participating in global e-commerce. The digitalisation of government services has also advanced, with e-government systems reducing red tape and delivering faster, more transparent public services, most of which are accessible via SarawakID.
Submarine Cable Systems
Sarawak’s digital shift was not confined to rural development. The State made strategic investments to strengthen its regional and international data infrastructure. Among the most pivotal projects was the Batam Sarawak Internet Cable System (BaSICS), a 700-kilometre submarine fibre optic cable linking Kuching to Batam and Singapore. With a design capacity of 48 terabits per second (Tbps), BaSICS marked Sarawak’s first international submarine cable and significantly improved the speed and reliability of cross-border data transmission upon completion.
The project is owned and operated by irix (formerly PPTEL), which also oversees the State’s first Tier IV Design-certified data centre in Santubong, a carrier-neutral facility built to international uptime and service reliability standards. Looking ahead, Sarawak’s infrastructure is set to expand further with the SEA-H2X submarine cable project, a 5,000-kilometre system connecting Southeast Asia to Hong Kong and Hainan.
With a projected capacity of 160Tbps, the system is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025 (Q32025) and will position Sarawak as a vital node in the regional digital ecosystem, particularly as the 5G era unfolds. Domestically, Sarawak also benefits from local infrastructure such as the Sistem Kabel Rakyat 1Malaysia (SKR1M), which connects key cities across Malaysia, including Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu.
Regional Digital Powerhouse
Sarawak’s digital strategy is already producing measurable results. By 2030, digital initiatives are expected to contribute RM56.4 billion, about 20 per cent, to the State’s GDP, creating over 45,000 new high-paying jobs and accelerating the adoption of digital practices by 80 per cent of local MSMEs. As Abang Johari has stressed, there will eventually be “no distinction between the digital economy and the economy” as a whole; both will be one and the same, powered by frontier technologies and agile infrastructure.
With strong leadership, strategic investment, and a commitment to inclusion, Sarawak is charting a bold course toward becoming a digital leader in Southeast Asia, one that bridges tradition with innovation for a smarter, more connected future.
The content featured here is an excerpt from the book “Rise of Sarawak: Abang Johari’s Era of Transformation”, published by Sage Salute Sdn Bhd.
