KUCHING, Nov 28: Rumah Rumpang in Limbang has benefited from Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA)’s Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (Saluran) initiative.
According to Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) general manager Dr Zaidi Razak, Saluran consists of a group of initiatives to expand the telecommunications coverage to viable non-commercial areas in Sarawak.
According to him, it is one of the State’s intervention efforts to reduce the socioeconomic divide of the rural communities in Sarawak.
“We want to make sure that local communities in Sarawak can benefit from the digital infrastructures that the State government has invested in,” he said during his visit to SMA’s Saluran site for Rumah Rumpang in Limbang today.
Meanwhile, Tuai Rumah Rumpang Bali commended the State government for initiatives such as the SMA’s Saluran, which brings numerous benefits to the people.
“I am very grateful that Saluran has been provided for my longhouse. It is very important for all of us because it helps us in connecting with family members who are working or studying away from home,” he added.
Rumpang pointed out that when the Covid-19 pandemic first occurred, the ability to connect with loved ones who live far away provided a great sense of relief as they were able to stay in touch and check on each other.
He also said 60 per cent of longhouse residents are children and teenagers, and Saluran has helped them with their online learning through home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).
“I would like to thank our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for putting tremendous efforts to ensure that local communities like us are not left behind in this era of digitalisation,” he said. — DayakDaily
