13 new locations for new Digital Economy Centres

THIRTEEN new locations have been identified for new Digital Economy Centres (PEDi) here to improve internet access in rural areas in Sabah.

State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Yakub Khan said the locations identified in Kota Kinabalu are Kampung Rampayan Manggatal in Darau, PPR Kionsom in Inanam, Dermaga Sabah in Api-Api, Dewan Serbaguna Likas, Luyang and PPR Rumah Pangsa in Tanjung Aru.

As for locations in other districts, he mentioned Kampung Kobong in Banggi, Kudat, Kampung Rosok in Tempasuk, Kota Belud, Kampung Muhibbah in Karanaan, Ranau, Kampung Sinulihan Baru Tulis in Keningau, Mawar Centre Sekong in Sandakan, as well as Millenium Sri Tanjung and Kampung Sentosa Kukusan in Tawau.

He said there are currently 118 PEDi operating in Sabah including in rural areas, in line with the government’s aim to have one PEDi for each DUN area.

“My ministry is also in the process of upgrading 31 e-Desa centres throughout Sabah, as well as updating the e-Desa program in an effort to focus on the uplifting of digital entrepreneurs,” he replied to a question by appointed assemblyman Datuk Suhaimi bin Haji Nasir during the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the August House was informed that 4G coverage in inhabited areas in Sabah has increased to 88.06 per cent as of the first quarter of this year compared to 73.41 per cent in 2020 before the implementation of the Pelan Jalinan Digital Negara (Jendela) initiative.

Assistant Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dato’ Sri Ruddy Awah said the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKOMM) had also approved 300 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) for next year to improve the overall internet service in Sabah.

“As of the third quarter of this year, 154 telecommunication towers out of the planned 611 have been successfully built, while 3,810 towers out of the planned 3,984 were upgraded. A total of 134,116 premises out of the planned 251,165 also now have Gigabit-speed fibre optic connections.

“To ensure high speed and smooth internet connections in rural areas, the government has implemented 138 broadband satellite projects that started operating in April 2022. These projects are expected to be done in phases until its completion by the end of 2022.

“In an effort to finalize the Jendela program, my ministry has also installed VSAT technology in 24 locations. The target for phase one of the Jendela project is to provide 4G coverage in 90 per cent of inhabited areas in Sabah,” he said.

Ruddy said this in response to a question by Kepayan assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang.