KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) must prioritise rural digitalisation in Sarawak to close the regional development gap.
In a TVS news report, Betong Member of Parliament, Datuk Dr Richard Rapu, said the agenda should not be treated as a supplementary initiative, but rather as a core component of the national plan, citing digital access as a basic necessity equivalent to electricity and clean water.
“I want to stress that digital infrastructure, including communication towers, fibre optics, and last-mile connectivity solutions, must be a top priority in 13MP.
“If digitalisation is not carried out comprehensively, especially in rural Sarawak, we risk creating two Malaysias – one that is advanced, and one that remains left behind,” he said when debating the plan in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.
Richard pointed out that in his own parliamentary constituency of Betong, many residents are still struggling to access stable 4G coverage and are unable to benefit from online government services and digital education.
He acknowledged efforts already underway, such as communication tower installations by the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), but said they were still insufficient to meet Sarawak’s needs.
As such, he proposed a minimum allocation of RM6.3 billion under the 13MP to construct an additional 1,800 telecommunications towers, in addition to expanding fibre optic networks and leveraging satellite technology as an alternative for remote areas.
“The ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not suitable. We need a variety of technologies and tailored solutions to suit Sarawak’s vast and challenging geographical landscape,” he added.
Richard said rural digitalisation is not just about connectivity, but a key enabler for long-term development plans such as Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which places the digital economy at its core.
“Sarawak aspires to become a regional digital hub and a major driver of the national digital economy, but how can we achieve this when students in Ulu Layar still have to climb trees just to get an internet signal?” he questioned.
To ensure effective implementation, he also called for the establishment of a joint coordination mechanism between the federal and state governments to prevent overlapping efforts and wastage of resources.
“Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a basic necessity. Failure to build digital infrastructure in rural areas will only widen regional inequality.
“I urge the government to truly prioritise this need. Do not let rural communities fall further behind in the nation’s transformation journey simply because they lack internet access,” he added.
