KUCHING: SACOFA Sdn Bhd, the ICT infrastructure company that has been tasked with delivering the state’s ambitious telecommunications and broadband coverage targets, yesterday launched its community outreach programme for free Wi-Fi services at Perpustakaan Desa, Kampung Telaga Air here. It was part of the ”SACOFA4U” programme.
The ceremony was officiated by the Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity, Dr Haji Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
The community programme is indicative of SACOFA’s drive towards greater social investment and a more “Connected Sarawak”.
Back in 2014, SACOFA first commissioned “SACOFA4U” at the State Government Complex in Kapit.
The free Wi-Fi services were rolled out in stages, namely, for SK Batu Keling and Uma Kelep, Sungai Asap Belaga in 2015, Pusat Pengajian Masjid An Nur, Sibu in 2015, Pusat Pengajian Masjid Pangeran Datuk Pangeran Matussin, Lawas in 2016 and Pusat Sumber Tun Openg, Perpustakaan Masjid Darul Hana and Perpustakaan Desa Kpg Telaga Air in Kuching in 2016.
The “SACOFA4U” community outreach programme’s primary goal is to bridge the digital divide and develop an e-knowledge society, promote human capital development in Sarawak, stimulate innovation and creativity in the telecommunications technology industry and reinforce government, community and industry efforts towards an ICT literate society.
“SACOFA4U” has provided free high-speed Wi-Fi services to eight locations so far and will continue to expand to reach more communities in the future. The programme covers schools, institutions of higher learning, religious places, government buildings and public areas.
Managing Director of SACOFA Sdn Bhd, Zaid Zaini, said: “Today’s launch takes us a step closer to achieving our ultimate goal of a truly “Connected Sarawak” consistent with the state government’s vision for Sarawak.
“With our Chief Minister’s recent strong emphasis on the ‘Digital Economy” for Sarawak, every effort to connect the people of Sarawak – no matter how remote they are, through wired or wireless means – certainly heads us in the right direction in boosting our overall broadband penetration rate.
“In a low-density populated state like Sarawak, not every project is about making money; otherwise, there would be an imbalance of good infrastructure across the state.
“But when a project such as “SACOFA4U” manages to reach out to the larger communities and our children get to benefit from it directly – in terms of offering them the vast knowledge the Internet has to offer – it is certainly money well spent!,” added Zaid.
