By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 29: The Sarawak government’s move to accelerate digitalising the state has paid off as people, even fishmongers, are benefiting and leveraging on technology to adapt to the Covid-19 crisis.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that people now see the importance of technology to provide a continuity of necessary services to the community at large as well as to sustain their livelihood during this devastating period.
“Our investments three years ago are bringing benefit to the people today. Sarawak is one of the states which really embraced and adopted technology.
“We didn’t expect that (the Covid-19 pandemic) to happen. But our people are quick to learn and grasp technology in their businesses.
“Even the fishmongers have moved into e-commerce to sell their catches online and provide delivery to homes. I must congratulate the people of Sarawak (for their resilience),” he said at the launching of Sarawak Contact Tracing Apps at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
Moving forward post-Covid-19, Abang Johari pointed out that digitalisation will be part of Sarawak’s culture as technologies had shaped the environment and embedded in every aspect of people’s daily lives.
He also noted how students have benefitted from technology in this period as delivery of education did not stop but made possible through online learning and teaching since Covid-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced.
“We are fortunate that the idea (digitalising Sarawak) came three years ago to prepare the infrastructure that has enabled the people to embrace technologies.
“We will build more telco towers so as to better connect the rural areas and the entire Sarawak community so that people can thrive in the challenging times ahead,” he added. -DayakDaily
