KUCHING: The construction of the new MEASAT-3d High Throughput Satellite East Malaysia Gateway in conjunction with the launch of the latest MEASAT-3d satellite in June will greatly contribute towards Sarawak’s goal in line with its Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi believed that the state government’s goal to double Sarawak’s economy within a decade, from RM136bil in 2019 to RM282bil in 2030, with an average economic growth of 8.0 per cent per annum, could be achieved.
“To achieve the goals of PCDS 2030, bridging the digital divide across the rural communities by providing access to broadband connectivity is a must, so that all Sarawakians have equal opportunities to participate in the economy.
“I am told that the new gateway will enable connectivity for over 3,000 additional rural sites in Sarawak, while MEASAT-3d will enable cost-effective high-speed broadband in areas without any terrestrial network nationwide, with speeds of up to 100Mbps.
“In addition, I understand that the new satellite will increase capacity to create a digitally inclusive society and support high-bandwidth applications for IR4.0 and the Internet of Things, for uses in areas such as healthcare, education and much more,” he said when officiating at the earth-breaking ceremony of the new gateway at the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone here on Thursday (April 21).
Julaihi said the enhanced capacity from the new satellite and gateway would improve the state government’s ability to achieve equitable broadband access.
“This is in line with our target to ensure that 93.6 per cent of the state’s populated areas will have telecommunication and Internet coverage by 2025, with 99.9 per cent of households across urban and rural areas having Internet connectivity, while Internet speeds are increased from one to 10 Mbps, to 20 to 100 Mbps across the state.”
He added that the state government also planne to implement holistic digital transformation to empower all economic sectors in the state to increase efficiency and productivity to ensure equal opportunities to participate in the state’s overall development and enjoy equitable distribution of wealth through jobs and business opportunities.
“Besides ensuring access to the required physical communications infrastructure among the people, the government aims to also ensure that 100 per cent of the population can access accredited Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) training and education, which in turn can expand access to high quality well-paying jobs.
“In addition, the government will work to ensure that the people of Sarawak are protected by better cybersecurity measures, are better served by a digitalised government administration and management system and can easily participate in eCommerce through user-friendly services and platforms.”
