KUCHING, Nov 29: A Sarawak Digital Community Centre (DCC) has been established in Limbang to act as a socio-economic catalyst for the local community through digital inclusivity.
Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) general manager Dr Zaidi Razak in a statement today disclosed DCC has four objectives that are geared towards benefiting the local community.
“There are currently 42 DCC statewide with 1,278 programmes conducted that have benefited over 46,675 beneficiaries. For the Limbang division, one DCC has been set up for now to ease the burden of the students to attend online classes as well as of local communities who need high-speed Internet,” he said.
Zaidi noted the programmes revolve around awareness, readiness, and immersion with key focus on digital skills and capacity building, socio-economy development, community empowerment as well as building a sustainable and resilient community.
He said DCC contributes to the State’s needs towards digital inclusivity and aligns with Sarawak Digital Economy aspirations.
“It also contributes to national needs by supporting in the initiatives of Digital Malaysia, and global needs by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) objectives,” he added.
Zaidi pointed out that DCC will also provide services such as inculcating a digital community platform, act as a centre for skills and talent development, community research and development, consultancy and counselling, coaching or mentoring, serving as a youth meeting centre, provide lifelong learning facilities, workshop or seminar facilities, provide free Internet connectivity and community leadership development for the community.
“The intended outcomes from this are community resilience, job creation, social entrepreneurship, coaching mentorship, networking or partnership, upskilled, reskilled or retooled owned products (intellectual property) with impact on business, development, socioeconomic status and quality of life.
“As such, the target group encompasses children, women, village development and security committee (JKKK), people with disabilities (OKU), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), entrepreneurs and youth,” he said.
So far, six locations in Limbang division comprising Kampung Ipai, Kampung Maruyu, Kampung Merajang, Long Rayeh, Rumah Rumpang dan Krangan Ma have been assigned with Saluran WIFI, which uses the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology, in effort to give free Internet access to members of the public without network coverage.
Zaidi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) together with SMA is helping to drive the State government’s initiative.
“With this implementation, Limbang will see an increase from the current coverage at 48.5 per cent to 98.4 per cent of inhabited areas by end of 2022,” he explained.
Meanwhile, MCMC Sarawak director Adiman Ajem revealed that that a total of 523 locations have been identified throughout Sarawak for a satellite broadband access project in October this year under the National Digital Connectivity Plan (Jendela) to provide Internet access via satellite technology to the underserved community in rural areas.
In Limbang Division, MCMC has identified 34 locations to be provisioned with satellite broadband service, of which 22 located in Limbang district and another 12 locations in Lawas district.
He said currently the project is at the technical survey stage for these areas and the completion is expected in January 2022.
“The interim solution will operate for two years. As for the long-term solution, MCMC will build a total of 636 new 4G telecommunication towers under Jendela Phase 1 in Sarawak.
“For Limbang Division, a total of 48 new 4G towers will be built, with 33 towers identified in Limbang
district and another 15 towers in Lawas district. The construction work on these new towers will begin in December this year and to be completed by end of 2022,” he said. — DayakDaily
