‘IT blind’ will not be left behind – Siringan By Shalina R.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will not leave its ‘technologically blind’ people behind in its pursuit to become a digitally empowered state.
Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Siringan Gubat is hopeful that rural Sabah will be connected with the help of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission by 2025 to develop potential IT talents and businesses there.
He said this is because everyone in Sabah needs to face new technologies such as Big Data Analytics, Internet-of-Things (IOT), Augmented Reality, 3D Printing, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing and Machine Learning to influence the state innovative products and services.
“In making the digital economy a success, the ministry will not turn its back on the marginalized or IT blind community. The ministry will continue to ensure the development of information technology in Sabah is inclusively implemented to eliminate the existing digital gap,” he said.
“We also want the rural community to have internet access and be able to benefit from the digital economy,” added Siringan when officiating the Resource Development and Information Technology Ministry 2017 ICT Seminar at Wisma Bandaraya here yesterday.
Siringan reiterated that the 1Malaysia People’s Cable System will also have the ability to connect rural Sabah with a 4tps speed.
“With that capacity, the State of Sabah now has the potential to be a big contributor to the digital economy,” said Siringan.
“The ministry will ensure that high speed internet accessibility can be utilized by the people of Sabah, especially in the rural areas, so that the inclusive policy can be realized.
“This situation is in fact in line with the existence of various onestop centers such as 1Malaysia Internet Center, Mini RTC and eDesa Center throughout the State of Sabah,” he added.
Sabah State (Development) deputy secretary and Chief Information Officer Datuk Joseph Yuntavid, the ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Bruno Vun, Sabah State Computer Department director Datuk Dr Mingu Jumaan and the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary and ICT Seminar 2017 organizing chairman Ahmad Suhaimi Yacob were also at the ceremony.