KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg believes that Sarawakians are gradually becoming more aware of the importance of technology, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that Sarawak was entering into a new way of life and economic landscape post Covid-19, with the focus in the next 10 to 15 years being digitalisation.
He said that the state was fortunate to have started on awareness and culture of digitalisation three years ago when it first organised the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (Idecs).
“Some were quite sceptical before but now they have realised the importance of technology,” he said, adding that many people were now starting accept the change in mode of transaction towards e-commerce.
He was speaking during a webinar session titled ‘Post Covid-19: Sarawak The New Normal’ hosted by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) yesterday, moderated by MPC director-general Datuk Abdul Latif Abu Seman.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari hoped that the state government’s efforts to enhance digital connectivity throughout Sarawak via the implementation of technological infrastructure would be complete by 2023 to 2025.
He said that this would definitely transform the connectivity landscape in Sarawak, adding that at the moment there were still certain areas lacking telecommunication towers.
“Our digital programme started only about two years ago when we set up the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA). It takes time for us to set up our (telecommunication) towers and fibre optics. This is in process now; it takes time,” he said.
“If you were to use satellite, it would be very costly. We are looking into various technologies available to accelerate connectivity,” he said.
He also emphasised inclusivity, emphasising that there had to be connectivity between the urban and rural areas.
“The urban region is where there are financial facilities available, and the rural areas are to be transformed as a source of various products using technology,” he said.
He said that Sarawak was blessed with many resources, and therefore the state aimed to enhance the environment using technology.
“At the same time, we want to transform various economic activities including agriculture – for instance, using Internet of Things (IoT) and other technologies to increase production and address food security,” said Abang Johari.
He pointed out that Sarawak was a large state and substantial funds had to be spent on infrastructure development.
“What is important is infrastructure. This is why the state government spends billions to upgrade our infrastructure including the coastal roads as well as bridges,” he said.
He said that the state had new financial engineering to fund the cost of basic infrastructure, adding that once this was in place including water and energy supply to the rural areas, the economy would start churning funds.
