KUCHING: City councils have been called to align themselves with Sarawak’s digital transformation agenda to remain relevant in today’s fast-evolving landscape.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Kuching, over the past 37 years, has seen rapid progress and has grown significantly in terms of economic, physical and social development.
“This progress must not stop at what we have achieved thus far. Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) must be prepared to embrace the rise of the digital economy and new technologies, in line with current global developments.”
Abang Johari said this in his text of speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the 37th Kuching City Day celebration at Pangkalan Sapi here, Friday (Aug 1).
Abang Johari further said Sarawak is positioning itself as a leading digital economic power in the region to achieve inclusive, responsible and sustainable socio-economic development.
“To realise this aspiration, the Sarawak government has taken proactive steps by formulating the Sarawak Digital Economy Action Plan (SDE) 2030, with the main goal of tapping into a greater share of the global economy.
“This will be achieved through strategies such as enhancing cross-border data flows and attracting digital investments like Artificial Intelligence (AI) centres to harness the benefits of these technologies.”
He added that the state government has launched the SDE 2030 plan, which forms part of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 blueprint, aimed at transforming the entire economy and society from a conventional-based economy into a sustainable, technology-driven one.
“This initiative reflects the Sarawak government’s commitment to playing an active role in the digital economy, anchored on five strategic pillars focusing on Economic Growth Priorities, Digital Business Development, Public Sector and Service Transformation, Frontier Technology Adoption and the Digital Economy Enablers.
“And this includes the readiness in areas such as data governance and cybersecurity, talent development, digital skills, research and entrepreneurship.”
Abang Johari stressed that the government places great emphasis on the adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, 5G and more.
“These technologies will, directly or indirectly, drive future productivity and prosperity, enhance efficiency, foster innovation and improve the quality of life for the people of Sarawak.”
Thus, he said DBKU and MBKS must transform how they interact with and are perceived by the public, including their policies, service delivery, monitoring and evaluation – to adapt and fully reap the benefits of the digital era.
