Sarawak’s ambitious digital plans gain momentum

“Currently, Sarawak has 61.6% 4G coverage, set to increase to 93.87% by the end of 2023, thanks to initiatives like Smart600, Jendela, Clawback and others,” said Abang Johari.

KUCHING: Sarawak, which is an early adopter of 5G, plans for 587 operational sites by 2024.

The new service will cover 59.6% of Sarawak’s populated areas, according to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“Sarawak government is ambitious and proactive about Sarawak’s digital future. We believe that a digital future is the way forward, and our goal is to be a leading digital economy and society by 2030.

“Sarawak Economic Development Corp has been in a very successful partnership with leading global ICT provider Huawei Technologies for some time, using their telecommunication appliances in digital connectively development in the rural areas of Sarawak,” he said when opening the 27th World Congress on Innovation and Technology and 6th International Digital Economy Conference in Kuching yesterday.

Abang Johari said Sarawak would need 7,000 telecommunication towers to achieve 99.9% Internet penetration statewide.

Presently 3,856 such towers have been completed and another 761 towers will be built in stages by the end of this year.

The remaining towers will be constructed and completed before 2030, he added.

“With the Sarawak Linking Urban,Rural and Nation initiative, the Sarawak government is spearheading efforts to provide connectivity to the people and enable greater urban-rural economic integration.”

Abang Johari said the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network is the first government-owned broadbank network offering 4G and 5G support via fixed wireless broadband to the rural community.

Other than that, the Sarawak government has initiated Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Communication (Smart) project with the goal to expand the connectively coverage at the rural areas with 600 telecommunication towers to be operational by third quarters of 2024.

“We have established an interim solution via Very Small Aperture Terminals in order to bring Internet access in far-reaching areas.

“From the federal government initiative through Malaysian Communications and MultiMedia Commission has also allocated additional 742 towers in Sarawak under the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (Jendela).

“Currently, Sarawak has 61.6% 4G coverage, set to increase to 93.87% by the end of 2023, thanks to initiatives like Smart600, Jendela, Clawback and others,” said Abang Johari.

He said as data centres are like the engines that make the digital economy grow, the Sarawak government is working with the private sector to create eco-friendly green data centres.

“These centres will become the main locations where we store, manage and share information for both global utilisation and our government’s use.”

On digital talent development, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government is actively investing in helping talented people to grow and supporting digital entrepreneurs to avoid a brain drain.

Currently, there are 22 government and businesses-funded innovation hubs and a “Digital Village” to accelerate startup growth in Sarawak.

These have resulted in 26 high-tech start-ups and currently 27 high-tech research projects are on the way towards commercialisation.

“With our Startup and Innovation Track programme, we target individuals and groups who are innovative and establish startups to address particular challenges. An estimated investment of RM13.9mil will be spent in 2023 on innovation hub and digital village accelerator programme to develop innovative tech solutions fit for the market.

“The Sarawak Digital Residency Programme aims to attract professionals, remote workers, foreign entrepreneurs and investors to Sarawak, with flexible terms and conditions for foreign participation in the programme,” he added.

The Premier said Sarawak has also initiated programmes fo empower small and medium entreprises, providing them with digital tools to increase their economic activities and digital opportunities, especially in rural communities.

“Sarawak government is committed to accomplishing the goals of our journey towards a digital economy, and to enabling the necessary digital transformation so important for the future of our people,” he added.