KUCHING: The RM1 billion for the upgrading of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure will turn Sarawak into a powerful state in the region.
According to the Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, the development landscape of the state has changed with the adaptation of technology advancement.
“Technology plays an important role in the development of our state, and for that I will try to develop the technology infrastructure so that everybody will benefit from it and I have allocated RM1 billion from the State fund to upgrade out IT infrastructure.
“It is not only for the people, but for Sarawak itself. We want to be competitive, we want to make our state as the forefront, not only in Malaysia, but also in this region, and that is why we are focusing on this,” said Johari in his speech when officiating at the Excellence Student Awards of Yayasan Sarawak 2017 ceremony, held at Dewan Jamilah, Yayasan Sarawak, Jalan Sultan Tengah, yesterday.
He also noted that the State government has already acquired Bakun Dam from the Putrajaya and it now belongs to Petra Jaya.
Johari said after acquiring Bakun Dam, they now wanted to focus on cyberspace strength (ICT) and followed by developing brain power to help propel the state forward.
“Of course, with the electricity power, cyber power together with brain power, definitely Sarawak will become the most powerful state,” he said.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that Sarawak is lucky to have Yayasan Sarawak which has contributed much towards the development of knowledgeable young Sarawakians by providing them with the latest knowledge.
They of course, he said, become the products that help to develop our State and today’s generation is also directly or indirectly benefitting from the policies brought by Yayasan Sarawak.
“They produce people who can think for themselves and people who can innovate. This is why we feel that Sarawak is very lucky to have an institution that always puts emphasis on the learning and educational development,” said Johari.
On another matter, commenting on the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355, Johari said that he is happy on the federal government’s decision to not table a bill to amend it.
“The RUU 355 may be ultra vires of the constitution as article 8 of the Federal Constitution states that everybody must be an equal in the eyes of the law.
“If the punishment is different for the non-Muslims and Muslims, then it is injustice,” he said.
Earlier, a total of 1, 427 students from 37 schools throughout the state received excellence student awards for excelling in their Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
The excellence awardees for SPM received RM500 and a certificate each while RM700 and a certificate was awarded each for their STPM counterparts.
Also present were Minister of Local Government Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah and other distinguished guests.
