Sarawak has developed eight economic sectors for Digital Economy that includes Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism, Smart City, Digital Health, e-Commerce, Digital Government, Sports, Social, Arts and Culture. This is being supported by seven enablers consisting of Digital Infrastructure, Digital Skills and Talent Development, Research and Development, D i g i t a l I n n o v a t i o n a n d Entrepreneurship, Digital and Data, Cyber Security and Digital Inclusivity.
Essentially, the people must have a good knowledge about digital economy. For example, they must know that digital economy can cause constant disruptions and poses potential threats to those who are reluctant to embrace the new technologies. However, it also provides new opportunities to others who are prepared to venture into this new field. Hence, civil servants must be in the same page with the government and strive to uphold integrity in implementing the digital economy.
Undoubtedly, the civil service, as the backbone of the government machinery, is the main catalyst that triggers transformation, innovation and productivity of the working population. Both the state civil service and federal civil service have successfully carried out transformation initiatives under Sarawak Transformation Plan 10-20 and at the federal level, the Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) and the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS).
The Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg, in his speech during a mammoth gather ing held at BCCK in conjunction Sarawak Civil Service Day, said the launching of state Multimedia Authority on Civil Service Day is to provide opportunities to civil servants in Sarawak to recognise and understand the significance of the digitalisation initiative.
The more knowledgeable about the state Digital Economy, which affects every civil servant and the ‘rakyat’, the better it will be for the people as digitalisation impacts the economic development and their social life. In this regard, a good knowledge about digital economy among civil servants is critical as they must explain about it to the people at the grassroots level. For example, the people must know that digital economy can cause constant disruptions and poses potential threats to those who are reluctant to embrace the new technologies.
However, it also provides new opportunities to others who are prepared to venture into this new field. Hence, civil servants must be in the same page with the government and strive to uphold integrity in implementing the digital economy. The Civil Service Day is a day of celebrating the contribution of civil service to the prosperity and peace of Sarawak.
It augurs well for the well being of the state when members of the civil service from the state and federal service come together to witness the launching of the Sarawak Multimedia Authority as well as the first version of Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy Book 2018-2022. Both of them are significant milestones that herald the start of the digitalisation transformation of Sarawak in development.
Johari said the state has no choice but to strengthen development strategies in order to further accelerate economic growth and to overcome challenges of the global economy. This is imperative especially with the emergence of digi tal economy dr iven by the rapid explosion of technological advancement and the disruptive forces of the digital revolution.
He said Sarawak has to embrace the new era of digitalisation and ride on the digital economy in order to thrive and prosper for the well being of the ‘rakyat’. In this regard, the state is already implementing some of the disruptive strategies to generate untapped opportunities, innovations and value creation for all.
Johari added the state has developed eight economic sectors for Digital Economy that includes Agr iculture, Manufactur ing, Tourism, Smart City, Digital Health, e-Commerce, Digital Government, Sports, Social, Arts and Culture. This is being supported by seven enablers consisting of Digital Infrastructure, Digital Skills and Talent Development, Research and Development, D i g i t a l I n n o v a t i o n a n d Entrepreneurship, Digital and Data, Cyber Security and Digital Inclusivity.
The Chief Minister is confident, with the comprehensive strategies and action plans, Sarawak’s digital economic developments will progress towards the right direction. He said Sarawak Multimedia Authority or SMA, which he is the Chairman, will be the central body that will oversee and regulate the digital strategies and initiatives in the State.
The Membership comprises three ex-officio members, namely the State Secretary, the State Attorney-General and the State Financial Secretary and not less than five and not more than seven other members with proven experience, knowledge or expertise in communication and multimedia.
The state Multimedia Authority Ordinance was approved in the last State Legislative Assembly (DUN) meeting in Nov 2017. The authority shall carry out the following functions namely to advise the government on all matters concerning the state policy objectives for communications and multimedia activities to develop the State digital economy, including the development of digital infrastructure, cyber security, talent development, e-commerce, research and development in digital technology, digital innovation and entrepreneurship and digital government ; to implement and enforce the provisions of state laws related to any communications and multimedia activities; to consider and recommend reforms to state laws relating to any communications and multimedia activities and to formulate, monitor and review strategies in the development of information resources and systems; it is also for the collection, storage, transmission and dissemination thereof of the strategies.
The other functions of the SMA as spelt out in the Ordinance are to supervise and monitor communications and multimedia activities; to support, direct, stimulate and facilitate research and development in communication and multimedia activities; to coordinate, direct, monitor and assist research and development in communication and multimedia activities undertaken by government departments, statutory bodies and government-linked companies (GLCs), and to facilitate cooperation, communication, exchange of knowledge, ideas and information between them; to encourage and promote the development of the communications and multimedia industry including research and training; to approve, monitor, review, coordinate and determine priorities and strategies for the implementation of communication and multimedia development plans amongst departments, agencies and institutions of the government; to develop for the Government the framework for information technology and information resources management and process, and the utilisation of such technology; to promote and facilitate research and improvement in electronic network systems and processes, applications and technologies associated therewith; to assess manpower needs in the fields of communications and multimedia, and engage in programmes for training and developing such human resources; to undertake exchanges and joint programmes with other national and international organisations or institutions connected with information resources and systems, communication and multimedia; to render assistance in any form to, and to promote cooperation and coordination amongst, persons engaged in communications and multimedia activities; to facilitate the application and usage of systems and technologies for e-commerce by companies and business communities in the conduct of their business and the promotion of their products and to carry out any functions as may be prescribed by state laws. He said the International ICT Infrastructure and Digital Economy Conference Sarawak 2017 or IDECS in April 2017 marked the kick-start of the digital economy in Sarawak.
Johari added the state government, after the conference, has identified eight initiatives, namely, to establish Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS); to establish Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA); to establish Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC); to improve ICT infrastructure; to establish a Digital Village; to promote e-Learning; to promote Data Hosting and Big Data and to organise Digital Economy Labs. He said the state government has been relentless in seeking opportunities to learn from exper ienced countries such as Australia, Finland, Estonia, Germany and France where some of the initiatives have been carried out while some are on-going and will be followed-up, enhanced or improved as the state goes along the digital journey.
In addition, Johari also said that the state has developed the first version of Digital Economy strategy document, which has been endorsed by the state cabinet, to become a living document to be implemented and improved as the State goes along the journey of digital economy.
He applauded civil servants serving in Sarawak for being dedicated and committed in carrying out their duties, especially those who are serving in the rural and interior areas. He announced the approval of a one-month special incentive payment to be paid to civil servants before Christmas as the government’s appreciation to their dedication and commitment in carrying out their duties in the services of the people and the state.
He bel ieves that Sarawak civil service, known for devotion to duty, is one of the best in Malaysia. Sarawak will be a state for other countries to emulate and benchmark when it becomes a fully developed digital government, InsyaAllah.
For this reason many top officers in Sarawak civil service have been entrusted to play key roles in the digitalisation initiatives of the State. The state will collaborate with seasoned corporate bigwigs to propel the digital economy to the fore; no digital transformation can truly succeed to its full capacity.
Moreover, the Chief Minister, in his winding up speech during the debate on Budget 2018 in the recent DUN sitting said he had to correct the erroneous impression that some Members had concerning the conflicts of interest in the appointment of the State Secretary as a Director in PETRONAS and PETROS.
He said the State Secretary is appointed to the Board of PETRONAS for the basic reason of monitoring and protecting the interests of Sarawak in petroleum resources. He assured there is simply no conflict for the State Secretary because he is not and never been a member of PETROS. Generally, the people should be glad that the State Secretary is in PETRONAS because he acts as the official conduit between PETRONAS and the state government.
Johari disclosed he was surprised that some members of the august house were capable of drumming up things for which there is no reality. Some even raised matters related to the role of the State Secretary and the civil service. Regrettably, there is a further charge that too much power is being concentrated in the State Secretary, which they should know is not a person but an institution and a statutory post, which is being provided in the State Constitution.
The State Constitution spells out specific functions that a person, who holds the position of State Secretary must perform by himself or by committees of persons or a task force as directed by the Cabinet of which he is the secretary.
He said the principle job of the State Secretary is to ensure that the civil service implement properly the policies of the government of the day. The powers vested on him are not personal powers.
He pointed out that appropriate guidelines have been put in place to ensure that the boards of statutory bodies and GLCs comprise government representatives as well as professionals and experts in their fields. As a result, the role of politicians is kept minimal in these statutory bodies and GLCs. He emphasised that most of the positions being held by the State Secretary are statutorily provided for; actually, they are expressly authorised by this Legislature.
The Chief Minister said statutory positions come with the post and many of them have also previously been held by his predecessors as part of their duties. He confirmed that none of the positions being held by the State Secretary has infringed any state laws and the person sitting on the board needs not necessarily by him but can be his representative acting or his behalf. He addressed his cabinet is very happy and appreciative of the performance and efficiency of the Civil Service. On the hindsight, sometimes he began to wonder members from opposite bench are running out of issues and ideas to talk in the DUN.
