Abang Jo stresses importance of leveraging digital technologies for economic growth

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has spent over RM1bil towards enhancing digital infrastructure and Internet connectivity, especially in the rural areas.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is part of the state’s digital economy initiatives.

“For instance, if there is an Internet network, but its speed only reaches a level between three to five megabytes per second (MBps).

“At least, with the digital infrastructure and Internet connectivity improvement efforts, we can help to raise the speed to 30MBps. And this can indirectly stimulate economic activities in the rural areas.”

He said this in an interview that was published in the special edition of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka’s magazine, Dewan Masyarakat.

Abang Johari was asked during his six years of administering Sarawak, what the main agenda carried out together with the leadership of the State Cabinet was to place Sarawak in a high position.

Upon assuming the position as the Premier in 2017, he said he wanted to bring forth a policy that could improve Sarawak’s economy based on the state’s strengths, namely its natural resources.

“From there, the launch of the digital economy was implemented because I saw that jobs and economic management now depended on new technologies.

“In this context, we have data and from that data we can implement some policies that can benefit the people.

“Based on the demographics of the total population, it was found that most of the total population consists of young people. Therefore, positioning youth potential as a catalyst for future economic growth.”

He also said Sarawak Multimedia Authority, a regulatory body to lead, supervise and facilitate the development and implementation of communications, multimedia and the state’s digital economy initiative, was established in 2017.

“SMA is responsible for improving the infrastructure and Internet connectivity, particularly in the interior of Sarawak.”

Additionally, he said S Pay Global, a digital wallet was also introduced and it has offered convenience in carrying out business and payments online safely, quickly and easily.

“Even when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country, we have used technology as a platform to track the location of those who came to Sarawak, in addition to monitoring their movements. Basically, this digital economy can improve the way we manage the economy.”

Meanwhile, Dewan Masyarakat magazine department editor-in-chief Dr Rosmani Omar and other representatives also presented a copy of the special edition magazine titled ‘Sarawak: Peneraju Sektor Tenaga Boleh Baharu Di Rantau Asia’ to Abang Johari at his office today (Nov 30).