Sarawak Sovereign AI Infrastructure Platform
KUCHING: Sarawak’s Sovereign Artificial Intelligence (AI) Infrastructure Platform will enable government data to be consolidated on a common platform to support faster planning and development, including the creation of smart cities.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the platform will allow government agencies to utilise consolidated data and information for more efficient planning and decision-making.
He said data on residential areas, business districts, transportation networks and public transport could be integrated to provide a comprehensive picture for smart city development.
“Data that we store on one common platform can be used for planning, including for us to develop smart cities.
“All data on the location of residential areas, districts, business districts, as well as connectivity within cities, network links and public transport can be developed using data obtained from the Sovereign AI platform,” he told reporters after launching the Sarawak Sovereign AI Infrastructure Platform here today.
According to Abang Johari, having the information readily available would accelerate the process of identifying solutions and implementing development projects.
“This means we can develop our projects more quickly. We can accelerate finding solutions and use what we obtain from the data collected on one platform,” he said.
He added that the platform would also distinguish between strategic data that could be shared and information that must remain protected, particularly data related to security.
He said Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) would play an important role in managing access to the information.
“There are differences between strategic data that we can share and data that we cannot share. That is where the role of SAINS comes in — to differentiate between the two, particularly information related to security that cannot be shared.
“Other data can be shared for planning and development purposes,” he said.
Abang Johari said the platform could also benefit the public and investors by providing information on areas suitable for specific economic activities.
For example, he said those interested in expanding into agriculture could access data identifying areas designated for agricultural activities, while information on various industrial parks would also be available.
“If someone wants a biotechnology-related project at the Biotech Park that we develop in Samarahan, they can obtain all the data from the platform.
“They do not have to go around looking for information or meeting different officers. Everything is there in the data. After that, they can apply,” he said.
He said the platform would also be accessible to external parties, including potential investors and joint-venture partners, subject to the relevant access and security requirements.
“If an external party wants to establish, for example, a manufacturing plant related to biodiversity, they can enter our platform and we can show them where the location is, its size and what resources are available in the data.
“They do not have to wait. They can then apply to the government for that particular area. Everything becomes faster. That is the reason we have this common platform,” he said.
He said Sarawak currently had government data centres in Samarahan and Santubong to store its data.
Looking ahead, Abang Johari said Sarawak was also planning to develop its own satellite capabilities as more data would be stored in the cloud and require reliable satellite connectivity.
At the event, Abang Johari also witnessed the memorandum of collaboration (MoC) between SAINS and Sarawak Energy Berhad to explore the application of AI and Generative AI in support of SEB’s initiatives.
The collaboration brings together SAINS’ AI capabilities and SEB’s utility-sector expertise, with a focus on responsible AI development, secure data management and practical AI applications within the energy sector.
