LONDON: The Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Haji Johari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg said here Wednesday that it is imperative for Sarawak to establish a cyber security defence system.
This is line with its quest to develop into a digital economy and become a digital powerhouse.
“To become a digital powerhouse, Sarawak must be shielded against cyber attacks in order for a digital economy to work in a safe, secured and reliable manner,” he said after visiting the BAE Systems Corporation in London, here.
The Chief Minister, who is currently on a weeklong study tour in London Wednesday morning visited the BAE Systems headquarters in the British capital as part of his itinerary to gain better insights into cyber security defence system for nations and corporations by officials of the company which has a worldwide reputation as a cyber security provider.
“We must have a state-of-the-art cyber security defence system to insulate our systems from cyber attacks from outside as well as inside perpetrators,” Johari said.
In the recent inaugural International ICT Infrastructure and Digital Economy Conference (IDECS), the Chief Minister outlined the importance of Sarawak to migrate from a traditional economy to a digital economy in order to leapfrog its economic advancement that is very much in line with current world trend.
In his keynote address during the conference, he stressed the need for Sarawak to establish a world-class, physical digital infrastructure that is sufficient to support a digital economy in the next five to 10 years.
In the same address he said the plan to put a cyber defence security system in place in Sarawak is part of the roadmap which has a specific timeline and a dedicated agency, a new Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation to ensure its wholesome implementation.
The Chief Minister and members of his delegation spent about one hour at the BAE Systems headquarters and later in the afternoon visited the Imperial College of London where they were conducted on a tour and given a briefing on the world-renowned cardiac treatment and research facility.
Accompanying the Chief Minister during Wednesday’s visit were State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani, Assistant Minister of Science Research and Biotechnology Dr. Haji Annuar bin Rapa’ee and Chief Minister’s Principal Private Secretary, Wan Khalik bin Wan Muhammad.
Yesterday the Chief Minister was to attend a briefing by Canterbury Christchurch University and later a meeting with and presentation by Brooke Dockyard Engineering Works Corporation and a partner company on marginal oil fields venture in waters off Sarawak.
