RM540 million has been set aside to further push the state government’s digital economy initiatives.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said to accelerate digitisation of the economy, good digital infrastructure was critical to boost business growth, creating greater economic opportunities, opening up the local economy as well as strengthening digital connection with the rest of the world.
“The initiatives include the enhancing of digital connectivity in rural areas by providing free Internet connection via the SarawakNet infrastructure — VSAT technology, with a capacity between 20Mbps to 30Mbps bandwidth per site with an allocation of RM16.5 million.
“…and the construction of telecommunication towers throughout Sarawak, particularly in remote areas. To date, 300 towers have been constructed and at various stages of implementation while another 300 towers will begin construction next year,” he said when tabling the Sarawak Budget 2021 on Monday (Nov 9).
The state government would also aggressively embark on smart technologies that would allow full exploitation of the digital revolution while minimising job dislocation.
“Among the initiatives being planned and implemented is Smart Agriculture. Based on the encouraging success of the Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan Rampangi, the state government will replicate the IoT (Internet of Things) technologies to other agriculture stations such as Agriculture Research Centre, Agriculture Institute, Northern Region Agriculture Research Centre Kabuloh, ATC Oya and ATC Kubong.”
Abang Johari added that the usage of Sarawak Pay e-wallet would be extended to enable users to have more choices that include implementation of smart parking platform, telecommunication reload services, digital banking and interoperable with affiliated e-wallet partners.
Sarawak would also be embarking on the implementation of the Sarawak Integrated Operations Centre (SIOC), which is envisaged as the brain of a smart city that links smart applications and systems to support decision-making.
“SIOC will enable central agencies to monitor any situation in real time, give accurate and timely inputs, getting reports and feedback from the public regarding incidents, outbreak, disaster, complaints, etc.
“The project, which has commenced this year, will be implemented in phases.”
