We are moving towards IR4.0 which is going to be the economy throughout the world. Thus, Malaysia should provide training to the people in order to match the demands of IR4.0.
– DATUK PATINGGI ABANG JOHARI TUN OPEN, CHIEF MINISTER
The importance of technology in all its forms is playing an important role in managing the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Since our Chief Minister took office, he has launched a drive towards introducing Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and many other associated concepts and supporting technologies have been proposed by him.
Although many have acknowledged the importance of the IR4.0 and its role in Sarawak, it is only now the urgency with which it should be implemented is becoming evident.
Many countries are now utilising IR4.0 applications to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
One such homegrown application received coverage in the New Sarawak Tribune. It mentioned that Sarawak is turning to Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor the body temperature of its Covid-19 persons under investigation (PUIs) where a temperature patch weighing 7.2 grammes, 41mm wide and 61mm long-running on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) network sends out an alert to the monitoring authorities if a person’s body temperature reaches a certain threshold.
Another component of IR4.0, the 3D printing technology, is being used to produce face shields for medical staff in Sarawak.
With the introduction of more advanced technology, medical expertise can be practised online right into rural hospitals. This would also mean that many might not have to travel for hours if not a day or so to larger hospitals for consultations that last mere minutes.
As part of the IR4.0, the Sarawak government had also announced the construction of numerous communication towers to open up the rural areas and enhance the speed of communication statewide. This perhaps needs to be speeded up.
The closure of educational establishments has meant that many classes have moved online. This has seen a huge demand and usage of online learning. However, there are issues with slow speeds. For the students in the rural regions, there are many with no access at all.
It is critical that the building of our communications systems be fast-tracked. Its importance to the current scenario can be seen by the fact that many of the federal and state government messages are being sent via social media and SMS.
However, those without access are left out. Sarawak must develop its own direct communications with its citizens. They can then customise and communicate messages for its people to fit specific zones for specific reasons.
In such times of disasters, one size does not fit all situations. One example is that the MKN sent an SMS message blast to all Malaysians that as part of the MCO no one can leave their homes between 8pm and 8am. However, in Sarawak, the time is between 7pm and 7am. The MKN message blast caused some confusion and it took time to clarify to Sarawakians.
The announcement by the Sarawak government that the financial aid for hawkers and petty traders would be credited into Sarawak Pay accounts is a very good initiative.
More such financial aid should be distributed this way in the future. It would certainly cut down on the number of people queuing up at the banks to take out their money.
I am sure many of you will now agree that from this pandemic that owning a smartphone should nowadays be seen as a ‘need’ and cannot be considered as an optional ‘want’ anymore.
Owning a smartphone will enable people to go ‘cashless’ in their transactions increasing convenience and reducing risks of infection at the same time.
Having a smartphone will also enable everyone to be connected and be able to receive that latest important government updates.
At the moment it can also be seen that there are people who do not adhere to the MCO regulations. The use of artificial intelligent systems and smart technologies will allow the authorities to monitor people more effectively thereby reducing the chances of the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
IR4.0 is also helping people to work from home, shop online and do videoconferencing. This is one way to keep earning and also keep the economy running wherever possible during the movement control order (MCO).
IR4.0 not only will play a huge role in the manufacturing and business spheres of Sarawak as originally envisaged. As a priority, IR4.0 has to be integrated into our information dissemination systems, medical systems, educational systems and our supply chain systems.
This will ensure we are better prepared for any eventualities in the future. The rapid introduction of IR4.0 systems will also play an important part in the recovery of our economy as we come out of our partial lockdown.
It is now essential that full support by the private sector, government sector and the public is given to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision of digitising Sarawak.
The time to do this is now, not in the future.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
