KUCHING: The state and federal governments have agreed to improve the digital economy and upgrade its telecommunication facilities throughout the country.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Teo Nie Ching said improving the digital economy was the main point discussed with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday (May 3).
“A total of 636 telecommunication tower sites have been identified and have been built throughout Sarawak through the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) involving a cost of RM4 billion in the first phase for the construction of 60 towers.
“The second phase involves a cost not exceeding RM1 billion to develop 681 point of presence (PoP) project sites in Malaysia,” she said when met by reporters today.
Meanwhile, during a separate courtesy call with Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi and his deputy Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Teo was informed of the Sarawak government’s initiative to build 600 Sarawak smart towers.
It was a move made by the state government to assist the federal government to achieve its target of building 7,000 telecommunication towers in Malaysia to improve the 4G and 5G speed internet network.
A total of 133 Digital Economic Centres (Pusat Ekonomi Digital Keluarga Malaysia, or PEDi) have been built in Sarawak to meet the needs of the people as well as to encourage residents, especially those in the rural areas, to engage in online businesses or e-commerce.
For the year 2023, a total of 23 new PEDi will be established throughout the state by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) following the state government’s proposal to have at least one PEDi in each constituency.
PEDi acts as an exposure centre related to the allocation of grants to digital economy activists in rural areas and holds courses, in addition to providing facilities such as computers and internet networks, in line with Malaysia’s target of setting 25.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the digital economy by 2025.
Teo also visited the Data Centre & Sub Sea Cable Landing Station to inspect the only fourth-level Data Base Centre in Malaysia which is not only for the development of the digital economy but also introduces the capabilities of the Data Base Centre to outside investors as well as the potential for foreign investment in the future.
