KUCHING: It is high time for Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), incorporated in 1991, to expand its business operations and venture out of Sarawak.
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said as a wholly Sarawak government-owned company, it has received the full support of the state government in terms of financial grants and government information and communication technology (ICT) contract works.
Over time, he said, SAINS has grown in strength and it is now the largest local ICT company in the state.
“As the Sarawak market for ICT products and services is limited by its population size and relatively smaller economic size, SAINS should now take the lead to venture outside Sarawak and compete against the other ICT companies over this very limited economic pie,” he said.
In economic terms, Chong said that the continued operations of SAINS in Sarawak may result in the unintended effect of “crowding-out” in the economic terms, for the other players in the market.
“It is high time that SAINS exited the Sarawak market and ventured into West Malaysia or even overseas to make its mark and compete in a larger market,” he said.
The Stampin Member of Parliament (MP) also suggested that the Sarawak government’s ICT contract works which have, hitherto, helped to build up SAINS, should now be given to the other local ICT companies in Sarawak.
He believed by doing so, the government will then give more opportunities for the other ICT companies to grow and build up their profiles. It will then help to nurture and create more big players in the State and thus a more robust ICT industry in Sarawak.
Speaking at the Sarawak ICT Association’s 23rd anniversary dinner held here last night (Dec 14), Chong said a total of RM44 billion fund was set aside to help the development of SMEs in the country in the national 2024 Budget.
Therefore, the Sarawak ICT companies should make full use of these funds and facilities to help develop their business and take their companies to a higher level.
Chong, who is also Padungan assemblyman, said ICT is a very tough industry for one has to constantly update and learn new things.
One either keeps up with the ever-changing new development in the ICT world or be phased out in no time; however, at the same time, it is a very rewarding industry, he added.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM), statistics showed that in 2022, ICT and e-commerce contributed 23 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), that is a whopping RM412 billion.
“Therefore, all those present at the dinner, being a part of the ICT industry in Sarawak, has a heavy responsibility not only in the partake of the RM412 billion industry but to spur the economic progress of the country and the state,” he said.
Also present at the dinner were Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Datuk Seri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg and Sarawak ICT Association central chairman Wong Ing Ang.
