KUCHING: Sarawak’s mobile application, SPay Global has recorded a total transaction of 66.7 million worth over RM2.8 billion since its launch in 2017 until Nov 27 this year.
Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) acting general manager Irtidzar Razali said the application formerly known as Sarawak Pay has also registered a total of 657,824 users with 86,154 merchants statewide.
“With these figures, we are proud that our very own home-grown application has grown by leaps and bounds,” he said during the SMA Media Night at Commons Cafe, Old Courthouse here yesterday evening.
Irtidzar added SPay Global has also been collaborating with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) to provide online transaction services to the rural people through the bank’s appointed agents.
“The SPay Global users in the rural area who have no access to any financial institution can receive and send money to their families, friends and business partners via e-wallet through any of the 236 BSN bank’s agents in Sarawak, especially during the lockdowns, when the movement control order (MCO ) was enforced.
He said the introduction of SPay Global, the purpose of which was to empower the state’s digital economy agenda, was also one of the main reasons why SMA was established in order to kickstart Sarawak’s digitalisation policy and to ensure the state achieves a high-income economy by 2030.
“At SMA, we are fully aware of the clarion call by the Sarawak government’s initiative on the digital economy and thus, we are fully committed to carrying out whatever tasks are put before us,” he said.
At the same time, he said Sarawak under the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari has a very clear agenda on the way forward for telecommunication with the need for high-quality internet connectivity.
“So, the issue regarding 4G and 5G is something which we have planned. And before we can migrate to 5G, we have to perfect the 4G first, as it is used for the masses, whereas 5G is for the industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). But both of these have to be done simultaneously.
“Therefore, I am confident that the digital economy can be implemented in the country as there has been proper planning in place,” he pointed out.
He added Sarawak is very fortunate to have a government that is eager to implement various initiatives for digital infrastructure and connectivity as these are crucial for the needs of all segments of our society as they move towards digitalisation and IoT.
“Having said that, preparing and keeping up with constantly changing technology is not a walk in the park but crucial to secure Sarawak’s digital future,” he said.
Moreover, he said, the establishment of the Sarawak Economic Action Council (SEAC) and Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 also assist in driving Sarawak towards its digital transformation aspirations particularly to become a high income and equitable digital economy powerhouse.
“I am confident that the strategic actions under Sarawak’s digital economy agenda will spur economic growth as the Sarawak government is committed to expand the digital infrastructure throughout Sarawak to connect rural and underserved areas which are not economically viable for private telecommunication service providers to invest in.
“As such, it is vital for all stakeholders, especially the media in Sarawak to understand as well as to share a common passion and commitment in taking part actively in our state’s digitalisation and digital economy journey,” said Irtidzar.
