State govt to play leading role in digital technologies — Morshidi

KUCHING: The state government will play an important role in creating a policy framework that promotes the growth of digital economy in the state.

State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani said the state government is committed to lead by example in demonstrating the economic and productivity benefits of utilising digital technologies through its e- Government.

“As you know, we have initiated a lot of e- Government initiatives. We are still growing and expanding and we need to do more on e- Government. We want to discover a roadmap that will put us on course to develop the state under this digital agenda,” he said.

Moshidi said this in a press conference after chairing the International, ICT, Infrastructure and Digital Economy Conference Sarawak ( Idecs) 2017 organising committee meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.

In stressing the importance for the state government to have the right framework and policy in place on digital economy, Morshidi said by investing in Idecs 2017 conference right now, Sarawak will be able to spearhead and come up with more initiatives to enable the government and private sector to create more opportunities for themselves as well as for the people.

As you know, we have initiated a lot of e-Government initiatives. We are still growing and expanding and we need to do more on e-Government. We want to discover a roadmap that will put us on course to develop the state under this digital agenda. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, State Secretary

“The state government also wants to transform the way we connect with and support businesses so that we can enable the private sector to flourish in a conducive and reasonably protected environment.

“This is somewhat like a business revolution for the business sector. ( But) of course, we cannot say that the private sector is not aware of this, but they need the support and infrastructure.”

In pointing out that the digital economy is the way forward for the state under the helm of Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Morshidi said the former is embarking on IDECS 2017 as a first step for him to introduce the idea, concept, understanding, awareness and clear picture on why people should go into digital economy.

“He’s looking at the future generation. This ( digital economy) is the way forward for the government and private sector because we are now in the digital world.”

In giving a basic analogy on how digital economy works, Morshidi said a good example would be what Alibaba founder Jack Ma is doing, by capitalising on technology in selling his products.

“The products can be from anywhere and it can he sold anywhere in the world because you’re connected.”

In the local context, Moshidi said a traditional Sarawak ‘kek lapis’ producer may be from Siniawan or Simunjan, but it can be sold all the way to the UK.

“But of course it (what the digital economy that state government is embarking on) is beyond that. We are talking about big data, data centre, connectivity, broadband, infrastructures, fibre optics. All these are part and parcel of ICT infrastructure. That is the way forward.”

Morshidi said Abang Johari will line up what are the deliverables, plans and roadmap during his speech at Idecs 2017.

Idecs 2017 will be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) from April 3 to 4.