Digital Economy Strategy to propel Sarawak’s digital economy — Dr Sim

KUCHING: The Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy 2018-2022 will propel Sarawak to the forefront of the digital world, said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.

As such, he called on Sarawakians to look forward and at the same time take a look at the bigger picture of this strategy which was launched last year by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“There is a common misconception that digital transformation involves nothing more than installing a new technology platform: Roll out the software, and everything will miraculously transform around it.

“But, digital transformation requires more than just software, it requires a fundamental change in the way you normally do things. In the context of Sarawak, this digital transformation would propel Sarawak to the forefront of the digital world. How amazing could it be to turn Sarawak into a developed state within the year 2030,” he said when officiating at the IEM Engineers’ Run 2018 held here yesterday.

A total of 2,030 participants took part in the run organised by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia ( IEM) Sarawak branch, with ‘chemical engineering’ being showcased as this year’s theme.

According to Dr Sim, he believed the engineers in Sarawak should step up towards this uphill challenge of digital transformation for Sarawak.

“Generally, engineering is one of the key influences that shape our society. Engineers don’t just work with machines, designs and electronics, they use mathematics and science to provide innovation and inventions that shape our society and improve the way we live and work.

“In Sarawak, engineers are pretty much needed as statistically, we are still short of the numbers; some of the in - demand engineering job includes chemical engineering.

“This is great news for engineering graduates as more jobs are being created to meet these demands. Malaysia needs at least 200,000 engineers by 2020. However, as of 2017, there are only 70,000 registered engineers in the country,” he said.

He congratulated the IEM Young Engineers Section for successfully organising this year’s run which included a new category – 21km or half marathon. Also present were Kuching South City Council mayor Dato James Chan and IEM Sarawak Branch chairman Haidel Heli.