KUCHING: Although some groups, especially those from the opposition initially mocked the concept of digital economy, the results and benefits towards the state and its people are now evident, said Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
He welcomed the state government’s initiative of digital connectivity throughout Sarawak as mentioned by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the webinar session ‘Post Covid-19: Sarawak The New Normal’ on Tuesday.
“In the three years since Abang Johari took office as Chief Minister, he introduced digital economy as the state’s new policy towards becoming an advanced state by 2030,” Dr Hazland said in a statement on Wednesday.
He said that in just the past two years, Sarawak had received many benefits, in terms of foreign investments, administrative efficiency and digital infrastructure facilities as well as international seminars on the digital world.
Dr Hazland added that until now, almost all sectors in the state including agriculture, tourism, health and transportation had switched to smart technology by changing from traditional economy to digital economy.
“For example, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), voice recognition, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), drone technology, e-commerce, 3D printing, e-wallet and so on now have become part of the lives of the Sarawakian people. They are part of the transformation towards Industrial Revolution 4.0,” he said.
He added the establishment of the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) with an initial allocation of RM1 billion showed that Sarawak was serious in ensuring that the agenda and policy of digital economy were implemented as planned. Various technologies were also explored to accelerate digital connectivity in the state by 2025.
Dr Hazland, who is also Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas) board member, said the move had allowed people in the state such as entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), youths to experience digital approaches in their lives.
“Digital technology such as digital orders and payments, virtual video conferencing, online learning, and so on took over during the movement control order (MCO) and conditional movement control order (CMCO) which were implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
He pointed out that the digital economy policy or approach was not solely focused on urban areas, but also encompassed rural areas in line with the agenda to make Sarawak an advanced state by 2030 as well as a high-tech industrial hub.
