But it’s not an obstacle, says Abg Jo
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Sarawak government is facing a big challenge to develop the state because of its vastness, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg. However, he explained that it was not an obstacle for the state government to implement development for the benefit of the people, adding that the state government’s main focus was to overcome the problem of clean water supply and electricity in the rural areas.
“Recently I announced an allocation of RM11 billion for the state’s infrastructure and utilities development for over the next two years,” he said at the 22nd Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) here yesterday. He added that it was the highest allocation for infrastructure development ever approved by the Sarawak state government.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari, who is also UNIMAS’ Pro-Chancellor, said that technological changes and transitions from the conventional economic system to digital economy was a major shift that has to be faced by future graduates. “The emergence of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) which emphasised the development of virtual reality technology without using much manpower would definitely have a huge impact on human resource development globally,” he said. He added that the 4.0 IR wave was now increasingly felt and needed to be handled wisely. This is because with a small population and vast terrain, Sarawak can no longer rely on low cost and low-tech strategies, which use a lot of manpower to spur economic growth.
Abang Johari said that looking at the current needs and demands, the state government was trying to develop high-speed internet infrastructure to support Sarawak’s digital economy. “Hence the state government has allocated RM1 billion to upgrade the ICT infrastructure in the state,” he said.
In addition, the development of Digital Village in Sama Jaya, Sarikei Innovation Centre and establishment of Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) and Sarawak Multimedia Authority were expected to accelerate and intensify the implementation of digital economy in the state.
He added that the role and contribution of UNIMAS in the digital economy of Sarawak was indispensable. Abang Johari also said the state’s economic development was growing in tandem with the presence of several investment projects from overseas and through the entry of these foreign investors, indirectly there would be a transfer of technology and skills that would definitely drive the state towards industrial development. – Bernama
