KUCHING, Sept 28: International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (Idecs) 2020 will utilise digital platforms as part of its efforts to reach out to as many participants as possible throughout the state, reveals Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit.
According to Sabariah, this is in view of the necessary planning for the next five to 10 years in positioning Sarawak to be a digital economy hub, and at the same time ensuring its sustainability during the pandemic and post-pandemic time.
“For Idecs this year, we in fact have developed what we call a ‘hybrid platform’. By capitalising on the digital platform, we feel that this is a realisation and also a demonstration of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s efforts (digital approach), and we managed to get everyone who participated in the programme on a webinar (digital platform).
“We believed that through the digital approach, we are moving forwards in terms of getting more participants for the programme instead of less, and due to the standard operating procedure (SOP), participants will be limited to a maximum of 500 people, as the rest will be able to witness the two-day event through a webinar session,” she disclosed during a press conference on Idecs 2020 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), today.
Meanwhile, Sabarian, who is also the Idecs 2020 chairperson, pointed out that in ensuring digital exclusivity to reach every segment of the society, the event will also demonstrate a number of initiatives envisioned by the Chief Minister, such as the Digital Community Centre (DCC).
Sabariah said a total of 20 DCC will be launched throughout the state, extending as far as Limbang division, where the Chief Minister will be interacting live with all those participating via DCC.
“We also have another element of digital inclusivity, which is the Free WiFi initiative by the state government, to reach out to about 20 longhouses and kampung in the remote areas.
“We hope that by capitalising on the digital platform and live streaming the programme through Facebook, we are able to reach out to more people throughout the state,” she added.
Idecs 2020 will be held at BCCK on Oct 7 and 8. It is themed “Data and Innovation Accelerating Social and Economic Prosperity”, and anchored on three pillars namely economic prosperity, inclusive society and environmental sustainability.
The two-day programme will feature discussions on eight topics namely Services: Significance of Data in Health Pandemic; Data Centre and Innovation: The New Oil; Competing in the Age of AI; Digital Strategies and Innovation: Human Development in Multimedia; Tourism and Services: Competitive Advantage of KPOP through Digital Media; Entrepreneurship: Impact of Covid-19 on Online Retail; Commercial and Agriculture: Nanotechnology in Commercial Agriculture; and Mining New Source of Revenue: Reimagining Energy.
The event will be available via TVSarawak (TVS) and Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) Facebook pages. For more information, visit https://idecs.sarawak.gov.my. — DayakDaily
