By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 5: An international cable connecting Hong Kong and Singapore, with a branch to Kuching, has the potential to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a new digital gateway in the Asian region.
The more than 3,000-kilometre fibre-optic network also has branches to the Philippines and Thailand, connecting Kuching with several major digital hubs in the region.
Converge ICT Solutions Inc chief executive officer (CEO) Dennis Anthony Uy said the development of the infrastructure was closely linked to the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the expansion of data centres worldwide.
Converge ICT is a telecommunications service provider in the Philippines
“This cable connects Hong Kong to Singapore, spanning more than 3,000 kilometres. It also has branches to the Philippines and Thailand, as well as a branching unit in Kuching.
“This project is closely linked to the development of AI and the expansion of data centres, not only here but around the world,” he said after a delegation led by Secretary of Energy of the Philippines Sharon S. Garin paid a courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in conjunction with the opening ceremony of the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS26) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today, as reported by TVS.
According to Dennis, AI development requires substantial computing capacity, as well as high-capacity connectivity networks to ensure that such capacity can be effectively utilised.
He said the initiative was also driven by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) to establish a high-capacity gateway connecting Sarawak with Singapore, adding that Singapore serves as an important hub connecting Sarawak to other digital networks worldwide, while the connection from Hong Kong provides access to global networks.
“This project was initiated by SDEC, and we have signed an agreement. They will invest in one fibre-optic connection from Hong Kong to Singapore, with a branch to Kuching,” he said.
The facility would expand Sarawak’s digital connectivity with several major Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand, he added.
The development would also support growing demand for high-capacity digital infrastructure, particularly for data centres, cloud computing and AI technologies.
With Kuching becoming part of the network route, Sarawak has the potential to further strengthen its digital ecosystem while enhancing connectivity to regional and global digital networks.
Meanwhile, the Premier also received another courtesy call from a delegation from Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) led by its chief executive officer Simon Sun.
According to the Sarawakku Facebook page, the meetings reflected Sarawak’s relations and cooperation with international strategic partners and industry players in the energy and technology sectors, in line with the rapid development of the digital economy and technological transformation. — DayakDaily
