By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, June 21: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has given assurance that projects for road connectivity and 5G Internet coverage will be completed by 2026.
He said the State has Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Sacofa Sdn Bhd to work on providing network coverage in rural areas, replacing the telecommunication (telco) service providers which refuse to do so due to prospects of profit.
“If the telco companies refuse to enter (rural areas), we will. We have SDEC and Sacofa. They have USP (Universal Service Provision) fund to implement it.
“We are aware that commercial telco companies refuse to enter because there is not much profit. I can understand.
“If they don’t want to provide for the rural (areas), Datuk Julaihi Narawi (Minister of Utility and Telecommunication) and the State government will provide the funding,” he said at a press conference after officiating at the closing ceremony of International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (Idecs) 2022 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Abang Johari further said once all the infrastructure projects have been completed by 2026 including roads, electricity and water supply, there will be no more big expenditures by the State government after 2027 up to 2030.
“Thus, for the remaining three years (up to 2030), if the State’s income continue to increase and all the projects have been completed, we will give emphasis on education,” he added. — DayakDaily
