KUCHING: The state government will continue to extend the Rural High-Speed Open Broadband Network project to Baram area, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said with the success of implementation of the Sebauh Rural High-Speed Open Broadband Network project, other rural areas such as Baram will be the next area to enjoy the internet connectivity.
“Today we have witnesses that it was a success experiment for Sebauh district and we will do it at other places as well.
“Congratulations to communities in Sebauh, as now 63 longhouses including the schools and the district office here can enjoy and connect with the internet,” he said in his speech during his site visits to Rumah Layuh, KM20, Simpang Ulu Segan, Bintulu here today.
He said the state government has previously approved an allocation of RM13 million to implement the internet connectivity in Sebauh area.
“We have come here today, and I can witness and enjoy myself the effectiveness of this project with its better speed of internet,” he told.
He then said, with these facilities, this will ease the rural communities to use the state own fintech platform, S Pay Global.
“Parents could use the platform to transfer money for their schooling children and their children also could give money to their parents. And that is why, internet connection is very important,” he pointed out.
Sebauh Rural High-Speed Open Broadband Network is a Proof of Performance (POP) project show-casing an intricately designed, structured and implemented network that provides highspeed broadband connectivity via the installation of 130km fiber optic cables and telecommunication equipment in Sebauh district.
The project is an effort implemented by Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) together with Danawa Resources Sdn. Bhd. under the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (SALURAN) programme and a commitment set out by the state Government to provide high-speed internet connectivity to the rural communities to cater the needs of the people and bridging the digital divide between the rural and urban communities.
The site visit was led by SMA general manager Ts. Dr. Zaidi Razak, who also briefed Abang Johari, representatives of state Government and the local communities at Rh. Layuh.
Through the initiative, 138 local communities at Rh. Layuh are now enjoying free internet connectivity of 30mbps.
