By Amanda L
KUCHING, Sept 24: The Sarawak Land and Survey Department is expanding beyond traditional cadastral mapping into geospatial intelligence, marine surveying and integrated digital systems to support faster, more accurate development decisions across Sarawak.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Land and Survey Innovation and Integrity Day (HIITS) 2026 here on Wednesday (Sept 23), Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the discipline has fundamentally transformed.
“The function of surveying has evolved from simply producing maps and coordinates to providing geospatial intelligence for the State government,” he said.
To power this evolution, the department is laying robust digital foundations through the Sarawak Geocentric Datum 2020 (SGED20) and the SGE-DiNet network.
By fusing satellite imagery, drone mapping, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, digital cadastres and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the State government can evaluate data in real-time, significantly sharpening planning and approval processes.
The technological shift is also extending underwater, with advanced sensor systems allowing the Department to expand surveying capabilities into marine areas to support development planning.
“We also have to survey land in the water. But now we have the technology to see what is underwater,” Abang Johari said. This expanded scope comes as Sarawak pushes ahead with ambitious infrastructure projects.
Citing the proposed 142-kilometre Miri-Long Panai road, the Premier noted that setting new alignments requires intensive baseline surveys long before construction begins.
Furthermore, as new infrastructure alters economic landscapes such as in Tanjung Bako, precise geospatial data becomes vital for updating land valuations to reflect accurate market conditions.
To maximise the impact of these insights, the Premier called for an end to agency data silos, advocating for a unified network across State administration.
“I believe our geospatial data should become a trusted source of truth, not data that is separated according to agencies, but one ecosystem that can be used together, with strong governance and data security,” he said. — DayakDaily
