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Better Internet access close to becoming reality

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Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi delivering his speech. Photo: Abdul Hakeem Well

KUCHING: Sarawak is expected to see improved Internet access, especially in rural areas.

This follows the launch of the Batam Sarawak Internet Cable System (BaSICS) and Tier IV Data Centre.

BaSICS, privately developed by Kuching-based telecommunication company irix’s, is a submarine cable system that stretches 700km linking Batam in Indonesia with Sarawak, and landing at the irix’s data centre where the terrestrial network can carry the improved Internet access to all parts of Sarawak and Borneo, including Kalimantan.

The two facilities form an initial phase of the Sarawak International Internet Gateway, which is in line with the Sarawak government’s digital transformation programme.

Speaking at the launch of BaSICS and the Tier IV Data Centre at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said with such development by irix, it is part of the digitalisation equation to improve connectivity in Sarawak.

“It is foreseen that this will bring a heavy impact to Sarawak and Malaysia. And this establishment is very much in line with the plan and ambition of the Sarawak government under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as the state is very keen to see Sarawak moving forward at a very fast rate in line with the fast development throughout the world,” he said.

He also said the development by irix was a historical moment for Sarawak as it is also in line with the state’s effort to bring Sarawak forward by the year 2030.

“The Sarawak government realises that digitalisation is the key to transforming our economy and we feel that technology is the way of the future, and it is difficult to reach the next level of development without adopting future technology which is depending on connectivity.

“Therefore, it is just in time that this Tier IV Data Centre is launched in line with our effort to develop Sarawak and achieve a high-income status by 2030 as laid out in the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030,” he pointed out.

He then stressed that for Sarawak to achieve such a target, the entire state must be fully connected.

“With the Tier IV Data Centre right here in Sarawak, the latency issue will not happen again and it will be the thing in the past.

“We believe it will bring positive impact, especially for us to participate in the online world without any issue, while entrepreneurs can go online without the fear that it will disrupt their e-commerce platform of payment gateways.

“At the same time, investors can feel confident with Sarawak offering connectivity that is required for their businesses and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the future,” he stressed.

The Tier IV Data Centre, he said, would also support the Internet connectivity initiatives in the state such as the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural, and Nation (SALURAN), Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) including Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA).

“With this, it will contribute very much to the development especially in terms of economic development and digital economy in the near future, especially to Sarawak, “ he said.

Meanwhile, the Tier IV Data Centre is located at Santubong 1.

It is the first and only Tier IV designed and certified Data Centre in Malaysia and is a carrier-neutral and green facility.

The Tier IV Data Centre has been certified by Uptime Institute, acknowledging its meeting of the highest global standards, thus ensuring efficiency, security, and long-term quality performance for its customers’ mission-critical data.

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