We cannot afford to be left behind anymore, says Abang Johari
KUCHING: Adopt digital technology or risk being left behind.
This is the plea to the people of Sarawak from Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who said that with the adoption of digital technology and support from every community, Sarawak can be on par with developed countries on its digital journey.
The Chief Minister stressed that the state could no longer be left behind in terms of digital technology adoption and digital economic growth.
“Either we push ahead in new research areas or we will be always a follower without being able to bring much progress to our people and country,” he said in his keynote speech at the 3rd International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (Idecs) 2019 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here, yesterday.
Said Abang Johari: “My vision is that digital technologies are going to shape the way the industrial sectors will design their services, products and processes and also the evolution of the global economic ecosystems.
“Either we push ahead in new research areas or we will be always a follower without being able to bring much progress to our people and country.”
He said while he was aware of the critics of his vision to bring Sarawak towards digital economy, this economic activity was not something that one could take for granted.
He said transforming to digital economy by restricting cash-based transaction and using digital payment could cut the black economy and increase revenue through sales tax.
“When transaction is digitised, monitoring sales and taxes becomes more convenient,” he said.
Abang Johari said with the introduction of Blockchain in the management and transaction of accounts and payment, monitoring records of payment, sales, procurement, billings, collection and generation of financial reports would become so automated that it would eradicate any human intervention and allow for total transparency, cost efficiency, speed and optimal utilisation of resources.
“Blockchain will be one of the more obvious and common benefits of the digital economy both to the citizen and the government,” he pointed out.
There were so many benefits from digital economy, which almost every country in this world is going into, he said.
“For Sarawak, we have begun that journey since I took over as the chief minister and we have charted our strategies and action plans which are now in the early stage of implementation.
“Please bear with me as we will conduct and roll out our digital economy projects surely but certainly, and with proper governance,” he said.
