Data governance framework to boost Sarawak’s policy planning

KUCHING (March 18): Sarawak is stepping up efforts to streamline public sector data management with the rollout of a comprehensive governance framework aimed at improving data sharing, integrity and policy planning.

Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee said the Sarawak Data Governance Framework (SDGF) would serve as a central reference to guide how government data is managed and utilised across ministries and agencies.

He said the initiative was crucial in ensuring that the data would be properly structured and accessible, enabling more research and supporting evidence-based policymaking.

“When data is readily available, it encourages more researchers to carry out studies.

“This will ultimately lead to better and more accurate policies for the people,” he said, as reported by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).

Hii said this at the ‘SDGF Policy Briefing Programme’ and launch of the Data Management Integration and Implementation (DMII) project at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Tuesday.

He noted that while digitalisation efforts had been progressing, challenges remained in data governance structures and maintaining data integrity within the Sarawak Civil Service.

To address this, he said the state government, through the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), developed the SDGF as a primary guide to ensure that public sector data would be managed systematically, transparently and with integrity.

“The framework establishes clear standards, roles and governance structures to facilitate seamless data sharing across ministries and agencies.

“The DMII project, beginning with the agriculture sector, marks the first step towards standardising data management practices across the public sector.”

The project, added Hii, received approval from the Digital Government Committee chaired by State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki last year.

“Agriculture is only the starting point.

“Other ministries and agencies should also take this forward, as the initiative will significantly improve how data is managed and used,” he said.

During the event, Hii also witnessed the signing of the DMII contract between the Sarawak government and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains), as well as a commitment statement involving the State Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development (MFICORD), the Department of Agriculture (DoA) Sarawak and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak.

Among those present were MFICORD permanent secretary Datu Sirai Daha, DVS Sarawak director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, DoA Sarawak director Dominic Chunggat, Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit director Datu Grace Huong, SMA general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong, Sains chief executive officer Busiai Seman, and Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre chief executive officer Prof Dr Patrick Then.