Sarawak govt clinches award for digital economy initiatives

KUCHING: The Sarawak government, through the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), won the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation (ASOCIO) 2023 Digital Government Award in November last year.

The accolade acknowledges SDEC’s pivotal role in implementing digital infrastructures and technologies, such as telecommunication infrastructure, innovation hubs for start-up development, centers of excellence, and translational research grants.

These efforts align with the Sarawak government’s pursuit of the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030.

The Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 serves as a comprehensive plan guiding Sarawak towards achieving a leading digital economy and society status by 2030.

“It will position Sarawak to be a high-income developed region, transforming from a conventional resource-based economy to an environmentally sustainable technology-based economy,” SDEC said in a statement.

The award was presented during the ASOCIO Tech Excellence Awards at the ASOCIO 2023 Digital Summit in Seoul, Korea, on Nov 14, and was handed over to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on Thursday (Jan 25).

Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, presented the award, with the presence of Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (Telecommunication), Datuk Liwan Lagang and representatives from SDEC, including chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, chief executive officer Sudarnoto Osman, chief operating officer Malseni Jamal, and chief technology officer Hamadlan Hamdan.

In its three years of existence, SDEC has positively impacted the lives of Sarawak citizens, including the STEM community, tech talents, digital businesses, social enterprises, innovators, and community builders.

SDEC’s initiatives encompass providing broadband internet access to rural and remote communities through the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN), empowering young minds through STEM programmes, fostering a thriving startup and innovation ecosystem, and supporting research for innovation commercialisation.

These diverse initiatives exemplify how digitalisation can bridge economic and social gaps, enhance the quality of life, and lead to lasting progress.

Established in 1984, ASOCIO is a trade organisation representing over 10,000 ICT companies from 24 member countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Its objectives include promoting relationships and trade among its members and developing the computing industry in the region.