‘Idecs 2017 paves way for Sarawak to move into digital economy’
The International ICT Infrastructure and Digital Economy Conference Sarawak ( Idecs) 2017 will give the muchneeded boost to propel the state into the competitive global digital economy, says Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing.
“This Idecs 2017 conference shows me that Sarawakians are all over the world, in terms of contributing to ICT skills, but not in Sarawak! Why? Where did we go wrong? So it’s time for us to correct the wrong and make it right,” Masing told The Borneo Post at Borneo Convention Centre Sarawak ( BCCK) – the venue of Idecs 2017 – yesterday.
He stressed that the quantum leap taken by the state government under Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg would ensure that the state would leapfrog to the future with the setup of the necessary ICT infrastructure.
“The chief minister has shown us the way to move forward into the era of digital economy. Hopefully, soon we would be flying among the ‘clouds’, instead of walking on the ground as we have done in the past,” said Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation.
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi said his ministry would discuss in details with the chief minister on the next course of action.
“We will provide and facilitate the way forward in implementing the digital economy and I’m looking at providing world- class digital infrastructure in order to make this happen, especially in terms of the state’s broadband penetration and high speed together with good logistics support to realise the success of e- commerce,” said Dr Rundi.
Abang Johari had disclosed that the additional 5,000 telecommunications towers to be constructed at a cost of RM1 billion should be completed by the end of the year.
He stressed that these towers would be the fundamentals towards ensuring that the state would become an ICT powerhouse in order to attract digital industries, commerce and investment.
The two- day Idecs 2017 themed ‘Transforming Sarawak Through Digital Economy’ concluded yesterday, having gathered some 1,500 delegates from all across Asean.