By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, June 5: Sarawak will leapfrog to the latest 5G communication technology to spearhead its digital economy initiative through its collaboration with Huawei, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He explained that since the state government was now implementing the necessary infrastructure, it would be easier to leapfrog from the current level of either 3G in the rural areas and 4G in the urban areas to the latest telecommunication technology.
“Although Huawei has a problem (with the United States), we are a small country as the Prime Minister said. so, we will continue that collaboration and research (with Huawei) as we want to match our infrastructure with the latest technology which is 5G.
“We (will) leapfrog to 5G. What is important is the speed. And while we are upgrading our infrastructure, it would be just nice for us to go straight to 5G,” Abang Johari told the media at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
On the implementation of telecommunication infrastructure such as telecommunication towers, Abang Johari said experts in the field are expected to explain come the 3rd International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2019 which will be held on July 8-9, to quash the perception that telecommunication towers emit negative rays or radiation considered hazardous for health.
“I will ask Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) to educate and give the right information. Actually, it’s not that serious. Everywhere there are towers, even in Western countries there are towers. It is a question of us not knowing how serious it is, even though is not, just like the hydrogen which we use for the buses.
“It’s just a public perception. So, during IDECS to be held in July, I hope the people will come to listen to the experts. They will share their knowledge on 5G especially on the fear of the rays (and radiation),” he said stressed.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minster was happy that Sarawakians are able to celebrate Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri in a happy mood as there is extra capital flow in the local economy from the state’s biggest budget in history.
“I’m very pleased today (at the open house) to see all the races are coming to visit. The Ibans, Chinese, Malays, Bidayuhs and Orang Ulus and even the Indians too. Everyone is here,” he said.
He added that due to the state’s economy current strength, the people are able to afford to return home to be with their families.
“In the last one week, people are consuming and buy things to celebrate Gawai and Hari Raya and there are (traffic) jams at the ferry points. This shows that our economy is not that bad,” he said. — DayakDaily
