KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has called for stronger collaboration among the regions within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) to enhance digital connectivity.
He said Sarawak is investing in high-speed internet, 5G networks and the Trans Nusantara Regional Fibre Optic Network, connecting Sarawak with Indonesia.
“Additionally, the state is planning to work with Brunei to improve network connectivity, which serves as a bandwidth hub,” he said.
He said this in his speech when attending the 6th Chief Ministers, Governors, and Local Government Forum (CMLGF) held in conjunction with the 27th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting 2024 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah recently.
Awang Tengah, who is also the International Trade, Industry, and Investment Minister, said Sarawak’s progress in digital economy development through the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, aligned with the Asean Smart Cities Network and Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy.
“Sarawak is pursuing Smart City projects in Kuching and Miri, aimed at smart resource management and fostering collaboration with the private sector to drive innovation and economic growth.
“Key initiatives such as the Sarawak Integrated Operation Centre in Kuching and the Miri City Command Centre with smart bus services showcase Sarawak’s significant strides in smart city development.
“These initiatives aim to integrate Sarawak into the Asean Smart Cities Network and support regional carbon neutrality goals,” he said.
On another note, Awang Tengah stressed the critical role of transport connectivity for fostering regional development.
“Major infrastructure projects such as Pan Borneo Highway, Northern Region Coastal Highway and Sabah-Sarawak Link Road are aligned with the Asean Connectivity 2025 agenda.
“The state is also advancing its infrastructure by upgrading ports and airports and plans for a state-owned airline, aiming to further promote seamless travel across the region. A feasibility study for the Trans-Borneo Railway project is ongoing, which will further enhance connectivity between Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Awang Tengah also highlighted Sarawak’s strategic role in supporting the Asean Power Grid Agenda.
“Sarawak generates 5.75 gigawatt (GW) of electricity with 70 per cent from renewable energy, and the state aims to expand its generation capacity to 15GW, reinforcing the position as a regional energy leader.
“Since 2016, Sarawak has exported power to West Kalimantan and is actively collaborating with Indonesia on the Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric project. Sarawak is also committed to assist Brunei Darussalam to achieve its renewable energy target by 2035,” he said.
He reiterated Sarawak’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, stating this the state has embarked on clean energy projects such as green hydrogen projects, Sustainable Aviation Fuel from microalgae and has updated the regulations for carbon capture and storage and forest carbon activities.
“In addition, Sarawak seeks regional cooperation to promote eco-tourism, cultural and heritage conservation as well as adventure tourism, advocating for joint tourism marketing and promotional efforts to position the BIMP-EAGA region as an attractive unified global destination,” he said.
He said Sarawak’s blue economy efforts, including Sarawak’s Reef Ball project, which deployed 16,800 reef balls along 746 kilometres between 2018 and 2022, was recognised as the world’s longest reef ball barrier by the Reef Ball Foundation of USA.
“The Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park has become a prime eco-tourism site, supporting marine conservation efforts,” he said.
He further affirmed Sarawak’s efforts in enhancing food security through agroparks and employing modern farming techniques, and aims to achieve self-sufficiency by cultivating 20,000 hectares of high-yield rice.
Hence, he called for BIMP-EAGA collaboration in agriculture and halal industry to further strengthen food security.
“Meanwhile, in human capital development, Sarawak is establishing universities and technical training institutions to equip its workforce for future economic opportunities. Sarawak is also positioning itself as a hub for semiconductor and aerospace industries,” added Awang Tengah.
