By Geryl Ogilvy
KUCHING, Dec 4: Sarawak aims to become an important regional hub to provide power, water and fibre broadband connectivity to transform its economy to a higher level.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s digital economy agenda was to make sure Sarawakians would not be left behind in the current global economy, which highly depends on connectivity.
“Our economy today highly depends on connectivity. All economic sectors are now emphasising on technology and Internet connectivity.
“Even the future of agriculture, one of the main sectors contributing to the state’s economy, will depend on connectivity and utilising IoT (Internet of Things) to maximise resources to boost production.
“Today’s lifestyle is all connected to the Internet, be it for knowledge or entertainment,” he said at the letter of understanding (LoU) signing ceremony between the state’s telecommunications infrastructure provider Sacofa Sdn Bhd and Maxis Bhd here today.
Under the deal, Sacofa will be offering High-Speed Broadband (HSBB) Network Services to Maxis.
Abang Johari reiterated that the state had embarked on building infrastructure to support high-speed broadband service across the state. The government would upgrade all facilities as well as building 600 additional telecommunication towers within the next two years.
In the long run, the state is looking to create high-speed Internet gateways with neighbouring Brunei and West Kalimantan, Indonesia, to enhance connectivity.
“It is important to improve fibre broadband across the state, connecting the rural areas. Once the infrastructure is deployed, it will develop Sarawak’s economy that is integrated with the global economy, in particular, the Southeast Asian region,” he said.
Abang Johari also pointed out that Sarawak’s geographic location outside the Pacific ring of fire would make the state ideal in attracting foreign investments to the region. This is also supported by the state’s renewable energy production using its abundance of water resources.
“Sarawak is geographically located in a good position, outside the ring of fire. We have power production based on renewable energy and we are also embarking on building basic infrastructures to spur the digital economy.
“Once we have the power and water, added with our safe geographic position and supported high-speed fibre optic connectivity, the basic fundamental is there for us to transform into a digital economy,” he continued. — DayakDaily
