KUCHING: For Sarawak’s economy to move forward, it needs to embrace technology in all areas of economic development. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg mentioned as the world in turning into a digital landscape, there is no other option but for Sarawak to tap in on technology.
“Everything is going to be digital-based, and we need the best technology to transform all sectors from agriculture, finance, tourism, to health,” he said during the launching Centre of Technical Excellence (Centexs) Technical, Digital and Heritage Integrated Complex, in Santubong, yesterday.
He said an example of technology which has transformed the lives of people was the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the medical field, a more advanced technology to detect and treat sicknesses.
“Market penetration at a global market needs technology, if not the state’s income will only depend on domestic market.
The chief minister said to transform the agriculture sector, there is a need to implement the Internet of Things (IoT) application into it.
“We have the land and research can be done by using IoT application on its mineral contents,” he stressed.
In the aspect of tourism, Abang Johari said virtual reality is needed to promote the state’s tourism products, rather than the conventional marketing and advertising which are unable to get the message across the globe.
“Therefore, with these changes of landscape, the question of whether or not should Sarawak embrace digital technology… The answer is definitely yes,” he said.
He said in order to achieve all that, the Sarawak government therefore needs to create a pool of people who are experts in both the technology and digital fields.
“That was why Centexs is collaborating with Chinese telecommunication company Huawei to offer digital programmes.
“And with that Centexs is the first Huawei skill-training centre in South East Asia,” he pointed out.
Noting that it was not easy to transform Sarawak towards a digital economy, Abang Johari said this was why the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) was formed, in which they are tasked to upgrade the state’s Internet speed and connectivity.
“But when we talk about connectivity, it is not just connectivity… There must be interconnectivity between the local and global network.”
Yesterday, 54 students of Centex’s spring semester also received their certificates after their completion of various digital training courses.
