KUCHING: Rapid development in the world of technology has a direct impact on archival institutions due to the explosion of data and information in this era.
Therefore, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg focused on an integrated ecosystem to foster an inclusive digital society, develop the digital economy and promote the growth of business and the smart technology sector.
“In conjunction with the efforts to develop a digital blueprint, this initiative should also be welcomed by data and information reference service providers, including archival institutions, as official information repositories in Sarawak.
“It is understood that the National Archives of Malaysia is also actively implementing the digitisation of archival material, therefore I very much welcome the sharing of digital expertise at the federal and state levels in an effort to ensure the survival of the nation’s digital heritage,” he said.
His speech was read by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the inauguration of the Sarawak National Archives Building here on Monday (Nov 14).
According to him, the digitisation of archival materials was also important for preservation and research purposes, in addition to opening up space for archival institutions to attract more researchers and users of archival materials from within and outside the country.
“Therefore, the services offered are not only through physical research, but also online to enable information to be accessed beyond the boundaries of time and place.”
Also present were caretaker federal Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri; Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Motac secretary-general Datuk Saraya Arbi and others.
