KUCHING: The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) was launched by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.
“Many of you have read about it from the papers or from the government website, but I am sure, you will be more knowledgeable about it by attending this event as well as browsing through the exhibits outside this hall which is open to the public.
“The civil servants are the backbone of the government, so your knowledge about digital economy is also critical when you explain it to the people at the grassroots level,” Johari said.
He added that in order to overcome the challenges of the global economy, the state had to strengthen its development strategies to accelerate its economic growth.
“This is imperative especially with the emergence of digital economy driven by the rapid explosion of technological advancement and the disruptive forces of the digital revolution.
“As such, the State has to embrace the new era of digitalisation and ride on the digital economy in order to stay ahead, thrive and prosper for the well-being of the people.
“We are already implementing some of these digital disruptive strategies to generate untapped opportunities, innovations, and value creation for all,” said the CM.
In addition to that, the event also saw the launching of the Digital Economy Strategy Book which was endorsed by the State Cabinet.
“This strategy document will be a living document to be implemented and improved as we go along our digital economy journey,” Johari said.
Meanwhile, on the subject of Sarawak Civil Service Day, the Chief Minister said that it was a day of celebration of the civil service contributions to the prosperity and peace of Sarawak.
“The civil service is undoubtedly the central backbone of the government’s machinery and the main catalyst that triggers transformations, innovations and productivity of the working population.
“I am pleased to say that both the state and federal civil service have successfully carried out their transformation initiatives under the Sarawak Transformation Plan 10-20 and at the Federal level, the Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) and National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS),” he added.
It was also the reason why he had entrusted many top officers in the state civil service to play key roles in the digitalisation initiatives of the state.
“They will collaborate with seasoned corporate bigwigs to propel the digital economy to the fore.
“Without the strong drive from the government, no digital transformation can truly succeed to its full capacity,” he said.
Among those present during the event were the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, State Secretary, Datuk Amar Haji Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, ministers, assistant ministers, and other guests.
