KUCHING: Twenty-five households at Kampung Sungai Aur now have internet access through Sarawak Multimedia Authority’s (SMA) Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (Saluran) initiative or Wifi Saluran.
Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said Wifi Saluran, along with others, would improve the lives of the villagers, especially in terms of digital telecommunication.
He was accompanied by SMA general manager Dr Zaidi Razak at the launch on Monday (Feb 22).
“This will facilitate communication between the villagers and people outside of the village like their children who are pursuing their studies somewhere else. The community leader (KK) can now join online meetings without the inconvenience of having no network.
“Secondly, the facility will help the village’s school students in their home-based teaching and learning. The village’s entrepreneurs who are involved in the production of ‘kuih sepit’ (love letter rolls) can utilise the facility to market their products.”
He pointed out that the village was unique as it was located within the Kuching wetland park and the villagers still lived a traditional way as a fishing community.
“Previously the village had to use generators but now they have 24-hour electricity. The treated water supply project is expected to be completed between May and June this year.
“This project is by the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department under the Ministry of Rural Development. As the village is located on the other side of the river, the project requires submarine pipelines and it is quite challenging due to the width of the river as well as strong water currents.”
The Assistant Utilities (Water Supply) Minister and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs and Kuching North City Commission) also said ecotourism was a good industry for the village to venture into.
“We are encouraging the KK as well as village development and security committees to activate the ecotourism activities for when the pandemic has subsided and tourists can come.
“The village is surrounded by greenery and fresh air. We want to maintain this as much as possible.”
Also present were the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Sarawak head Adiman Ajem and Divisional Water Engineer for Kuching Division, Ir Lau Chong Choon.
