A three-year undertaking
Internet connectivity plans to ensure rural folk get share of digital pie, says Chief Minister
KUCHING: Plans to expand high-speed Internet connectivity in rural Sarawak are being aggressively implemented to ensure rural communities can fully and effectively participate in the digital economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the infrastructure is expected to be in place within three years’ time.
Abang Johari pointed out he is pushing for Sarawak to embrace digital technology because it is the only way to accelerate transformation and bridge the socioeconomic divide between urban and rural areas to become a high income state by 2030.
“But our weakness is the lack of speed in Internet connectivity, especially in rural areas. So the state government has approved RM1 billion while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has topped up another RM500 million to expand the infrastructure,” he said on the TV3 programme ‘Mandat’ on Thursday.
“We are looking at increasing the speed from 6mbps to at least 100mbps so we need to upgrade to fibre optics, set up cloud computing, and build more (cell) towers. The plan has been rolled out since 2014 and in two to three years’ time, the rural communities can enjoy better Internet access.”
Abang Johari said rural communities will definitely benefit from numerous economic and social advantages from the availability of the Internet including modernising the approach to agriculture.
“We don’t need big land but focus on managing a 10 to 30acre farm using AI (artificial intelligence) technology with sensors such as fertigation, which can be done remotely through smartphones,” he explained.
“We have a pilot project in Santubong producing rock melons and other vegetables including chilli with only one person managing the farm and is an engineer. The income from this is also better than conventional farming. There is another project in Kuala Rajang, which is also participated by women, and they are showing keenness and curiosity in managing the farm
Our weakness is the lack of speed in Internet connectivity, especially in rural areas. So the state government has approved RM1 billion while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has topped up another RM500 million to expand the infrastructure. Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
with technology.”
With high-speed Internet access coupled with mobile payment to ease transactions and expand market reach through Sarawak Pay, Abang Johari said the younger generation would be attracted to venture into agriculture.
He added that training and education would be given to young Sarawakians, who make up 60 per cent of the population, with minimum academic qualifications of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or diplomas to prepare them for the future.
“There are 47 actions that must be implemented to digitalise the whole state. While the direction is set, the second step is to train those involved for they will become a strong resource for the state,” he said.
“The Centre of Technical Excellence (Centex) collaborates with top technology company from China Huawei to supply talent for digital infrastructure and management. I emphasise on agriculture because rural areas are based on agriculture.”
SIBU: More developments could come into Bawang Assan, should Barisan Nasional ( BN) win in the coming parliamentary election.
In stating this, International Trade and E- Commerce Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh calls upon the constituents of Bawang Assan, where he is the assemblyman, to vote for the coalition in the May 9 polls.
He adds that BN’s victory should expedite the development in Bawang Assan.
The Sibu parliamentary area comprises the state constituencies of Bawang Assan, Nangka and Pelawan.
The BN- Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) candidate for Sibu, Dato Andrew Wong is in a four- cornered fight with incumbent Oscar Ling of Democratic Action Party ( DAP), Simon Tiong of State Reform Party Sarawak (STAR), and Jamie Tiew of Sarawak Peace Party.
According to Soon Koh, who is Andrew’s father, Bawang Assan currently has just ‘one engine to power its development’.
“If Andrew is elected the MP, then there would be two engines – the speed is faster to spur development,” he spoke during a gathering here yesterday, attended by some 500 longhouse chieftains and local community leaders.
At the function, Soon Koh presented government grants of almost RM500,000 to the village security and development committees (JKKKs) from different areas within Bawang Assan.
On the BN- SUPP candidate for Sibu, Soon Koh described Andrew a ‘dynamic, qualified and dedicated leader’ who is ready to serve the constituents, particularly those in Bawang Assan.
Meanwhile in his remarks, Andrew assured the Ibans in Bawang Assan that he would not forget them for their support, adding that he would strive to wrest back Sibu from the opposition.
“I pity my father ( Soon Koh) and Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee because they are on their own in bringing development to their respective constituencies.
“Therefore we must win Sibu in this parliamentary election so that I would be able to support my father and Dr Annuar in developing Sibu together,” he pledged.