In today’s technology and digital-focused era, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg aims to establish the region as a global innovation hub by 2030. To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding was recently signed between the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Complete Human Network (CHN) to foster digital growth within Sarawak.
Strategic partnership aims to boost local tech talent, growth
There is a need to upskill Sarawak’s workforce, in line with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s vision to make the state a global innovation hub by 2030. In a foreword shared in the “Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030”, the Premier emphasised the importance of accelerating Sarawak’s digital transformation towards an advanced digital economy and society.
“I am confident that investment’s in the digital economy foundations, including digital infrastructure, human capital development, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, inclusivity, data governance and cyber security, and technology adoption, will accelerate digital transformation and underpin the growth in high-skilled job opportunities and social wellbeing, investments and public-private partnerships, high-speed digital connectivity and productivity, access to the global market, and improved public service delivery. This means creating an ecosystem for all of us to contribute to economic prosperity, citizen wellbeing, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability,” he said in his foreword.
Most recently, the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s leading enterprise mobility solutions provider, Complete Human Network (CHN), to foster digital growth within Sarawak.
The MoU was formalised in a ceremony attended by Teh Chai Peng, Founder and CEO of CHN, and Malseni Jamal, Chief Operating Officer of SDEC. This collaboration reflects a shared vision of leveraging technology to drive Sarawak’s economic transformation, with a particular focus on establishing specialised tech development, cultivating local tech talent, and supporting sustainable digital initiatives.
By fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development, the centre aims to bridge the skills gap and prepare the Sarawakian workforce for the evolving demands of the tech industry. To this end, the centre will also offer comprehensive training programmes and resources tailored to address these needs.
“Our partnership with SDEC represents a critical step in empowering Sarawak’s tech ecosystem,” said Teh.
“We are dedicated to harnessing our expertise in enterprise mobility to develop a robust tech infrastructure that nurtures local talent and supports the region’s digital aspirations.”
In addition to talent development, the MoU also places high importance on community engagement and stakeholder collaboration. Both CHN and SDEC will work closely with local communities and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the investment in tech development delivers tangible benefits.
This includes facilitating educational partnerships and outreach programmes designed to inspire and engage local talent. Through this collaborative approach, the aim is to foster a supportive environment where local businesses, educational institutions, and government bodies can work together to drive digital growth.
Meanwhile, Malseni re-emphasised the significance of community involvement in the initiative, saying, “Our partnership with CHN is a testament to our commitment to fostering an inclusive digital ecosystem in Sarawak. By engaging local stakeholders, we aim to create opportunities that drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for our communities.”
To further advance progress in tech development, CHN and SDEC will collaborate on providing comprehensive technical support and services. This includes the management of hardware services, the integration of software solutions through CHN’s Enterprise Mobility as a Service framework, and the deployment of the Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) Portal.
These efforts aim to equip stakeholders with the tools and technologies needed to drive digital transformation across various sectors. The integration of advanced technical solutions will enable businesses and individuals to optimise their operations, reduce IT-related challenges, and focus on core activities.
By leveraging CHN’s expertise in Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) solutions — where IT devices and software services are offered as a subscription bundle to help enterprises optimise their IT budgets, minimise IT-related hassles, and focus on core business operations — in addition to enterprise mobility, the partnership aims to deliver innovative solutions that support Sarawak’s digital agenda.
Teh added, “This MoU signifies more than just a partnership; it represents a collective effort to shape the future of Sarawak’s digital landscape. We are excited to embark on this journey with SDEC and look forward to the positive impact this initiative will have on the region.”
The need to upskill
In an exclusive interview with Sarawak Tribune, Teh shared that with technological advances, it is important for businesses and Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to capture their essence.
“There are many segments of technology and innovations out there, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, among others. If these skill sets are not developed within the community, we will not be able to fully adopt and utilise these technologies.”
Through this MoU, Teh further explained that CHN will transfer knowledge and skills to talents in Sarawak to help the region build its own ecosystem. She elaborated that, instead of relying on foreign talent, Sarawak can become self-sufficient and self-reliant.
“And that’s an important foundation to build. With its own trained service providers in Sarawak, the region can serve government-linked companies (GLCs) and multinational corporations (MNCs) within the area. This will create job opportunities and a skilled workforce within Sarawak.”
Teh shared that the skill sets CHN will impart through its programmes focus on three main aspects: hardware, software, and service. The programmes are slated to begin in the first quarter of next year. In collaboration with SDEC, both organisations will create structured courses.
Commenting on the Premier’s vision, Teh expressed her admiration.
“It all starts with a visionary leader who says, ‘I want to do that’, and then focuses on that area. Take, for example, China, which many decades ago was merely a cloth manufacturer. Today, with their focus on digital advancements, they have achieved remarkable progress.
“China never knew what they could become, but it all began with a starting point. Sarawak is already in that position; they have already started. With strong leadership that emphasises going digital and investing in it, Sarawak is on its way to becoming a global innovation hub,” she said.
