By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 19: Miri is expected to become the first smart city in Sarawak once the system is launched in the next nine months.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said Miri has been chosen for the pilot project as it already has the necessary ICT infrastructure in place.
“We are doing it (smart city concept) in Miri now. We use Miri as a model to see how much it will cost, considering that it already has infrastructures and (Internet of Things) system to compile smart information such as the collection of rubbish (among other municipality services).
“It will be operational in the next nine months,” he told reporters after launching Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA)’s office at Yayasan Sarawak building, here, today.
Abang Johari said after Miri, the smart city concept will be expanded to Kuching, with Darul Hana in Petra Jaya chosen as a common centre.
“For Kuching, we have the masterplan, we are turning Darul Hana as the common centre of the smart city including infrastructure and technology, which will link to the state’s common centre,” he continued.
On other issue, Abang Johari said two new international hospitals will be built in Kuching that will cater for the ‘health tourism’ sector.
“For these two international hospitals, one will be a cancer hospital, which will be built at Tabuan,” he added.
When asked whether Petronas will pay the 5 per cent sales tax for petroleum products in Sarawak, Abang Johari said it was not discussed during the MA63 Steering Committee meeting held in Putrajaya yesterday.
“Never mind, if they don’t pay we sue them,” he said. — DayakDaily
