“So our telecommunication towers will be upgraded to 5,000 telcos to the present 1,200 across the state.”
He will be tabling the Sarawak Multi Media Ordinance in November sitting of the state assembly, that will govern all aspects of the digital development in the state. Thus the ordinance will provide for the formation of the Sarawak Multi-Media Authority (SMA) which would be set up by January next year.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that the state has the human capacity to achieve the digital pursuit. The Tegas Digital Innovation Hub in Kuching is a precursor to the setting up of a Digital Village in Samajaya, Kuching by the year 2020.
With that, the state agency like Yayasan Sarawak will be providing loans and scholarships for the various new disciplines at the masters and PhD levels at reputable research universities in the country and overseas.
This is the charting of our own destiny towards a developed state by the year 2030, he said.
At the celebration, the aforesaid figure of attendance comprised the public and more than 3,000 people involved in the 80 contingents that took part in the parade both from the public and private sectors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), uniformed and non-uniformed bodies and students who took advantage of the bright sunny morning.
Also present were the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib.
Soon after their arrival, the state anthem was played followed by a welcoming performance.
State Imam chief, Ustaz Mustapha Kamal Hj.Ahmad Fauzi led the doa (prayer).
Leading the contingents during the march past with were twelve Jalur Gemilang flag bearers led by Second Lt. Monica Chai Sze Ching while the parade commander was Lt. Col. Azmi Hj.Ali from the 20th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment whereas the Police Band was led by ASP Hamka Sulaiman assisted by Drum Major Ghazali Hj.Buang with 47 other personnel.
The National Oath Day pledge was led by Awangku Omar Asfuaddin Pengiran Hamdan from Bintulu Islamic Religious Department who later presented the scroll to the Head of State.
Later, Taib performed the launching ceremony by cutting a birthday cake presented by the Bintulu cultural groups.
Others present were Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, state assemblymen, heads of departments and community leaders.
