Recognising that Internet connectivity is vital to economic growth, the Sarawak government is building up the state’s digital infrastructure to realise an inclusive and green digital economy. The move is expected to result in annual GDP growth of 8% to reach RM282 billion ($79.9 billion), as well as increase median monthly household income to RM15,000 by 2030. At the same time, the state government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by leveraging technology and data.
“Our goal is to become a leading digital economy and society by 2030 — [one that is] driven by data and innovation, where every Sarawakian enjoys economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability. A dynamic digital economy will require a stable and strong digital foundation, including digital infrastructure, digital talents, skills and inclusivity, data governance and cybersecurity, research, innovation and entrepreneurship,” says Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Bin Haji Narawi, Sarawak’s Minister for Utility and Telecommunication. He was speaking at a media briefing on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, on February 26.
He shares that 7,000 telecommunication towers are needed to achieve 99.9% Internet penetration statewide. There are currently 3,590 such towers, with 1,053 additional ones to be built and operational by the end of this year to provide 93.6% 4G coverage. Additionally, the state expects 5G coverage to reach 64.8% by the second quarter of 2024, up from 60.8%.
The continued partnership between the Sarawak government and Huawei, says Julaihi, will help fast-track the state’s digital transformation. Since 2017, the two parties have been working together on various projects to bring connectivity to all Sarawakians, which is challenging as it requires deploying telecommunication towers and wireless solutions to remote locations with rugged terrain.
On cybersecurity and innovation
Despite its benefits, the digital economy comes with challenges such as cyber attacks. Julaihi notes: “Cooperation and collaboration, knowledge and timely communication regarding cyber threats, and how to address them will be an important step going forward. Nevertheless, cyber attacks will still take place because cybercrime is a business.”
See also: Huawei helps accelerate ICT talent cultivation for mutual benefits in intelligent education
As such, the Sarawak government is taking a proactive approach to prepare for cyber attacks. It will be establishing a Cyber Security Unit to provide cyber security services and guidance to the government, organisations across industries including critical infrastructure providers, and citizens. “We are also looking to tap on the latest and relevant technology, including those from Huawei, to better protect data [and strengthen our cyber defence],” adds Julaihi.
The Sarawak government is also actively investing in innovation and growing its start-up ecosystem. Thanks to the aid of 22 government and business-funded innovation hubs and a Digital Village, 26 start-ups and 27 high-tech research projects are currently undergoing acceleration towards commercialisation. Julaihi hopes to leverage Huawei’s R&D researchers in the near future for high-tech projects to accelerate Sarawak’s digital transformation journey.
To ensure no one gets left behind, the Sarawak government has established 45 Digital Community Centres and 133 Digital Economic Centres (PEDi) to catalyse community socio-economic development. These centres have conducted approximately 3,000 community programmes that have benefitted more than 266,000 participants. Twenty-three new PEDis are expected to be opened throughout the state this year.
See also: Incubating technology projects to foster an inclusive and sustainable Smart Nation 2.0
Supporting the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030
Launched in October 2023, the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 details how the state will achieve inclusive, responsible, and sustainable socio-economic development. “The blueprint will benefit the public sector, businesses and society through improved public service delivery, new sustainable business models and access to the global market, new job opportunities and social well-being. It is a document that will transform the whole-of-economy and society from conventional resource-based economy to environmentally sustainable technology-driven economy,” explains Julaihi.
To help Sarawak implement the blueprint, Huawei has set up a Government Public Services Digitalization business unit (BU), which will apply transferable knowledge from successful use cases in China to the Malaysian state. “Together with partners, we will help the Sarawak government make top-level planning and implementation plans in the construction of digital government, the evolution of urban digital intelligence integration, and the intelligent development of industries,” says Xu Fei, vice president of Huawei’s Government Public Services BU.
Commenting on the overall partnership between Sarawak and Huawei, Nicholas Ma, president of Huawei Apac Enterprise Business, says: “This collaboration provides a good reference for other countries in Asia Pacific to copy. We’ve worked with the Sarawak government to successfully roll out connectivity (especially in remote rural areas), support the digital transformation of different verticals including the government, cultivate talent, and encourage ecosystem collaboration to facilitate the growth of Sarawak’s digital economy. All of these are in line with Huawei’s mission and vision of bringing digital to every person, home and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent world.”
