KUCHING: Sarawak is calling for part of the 6.2 billion USD (RM29.2 billion) investment by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Malaysia to be allocated to the state in support of its digital development agenda.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi the request is justified, given Sarawak’s geographical size, which is almost equivalent to that of West Malaysia.
“In Sarawak’s pursuit of becoming a developed state by 2030, digital transformation must be actively carried out, especially in rural areas.
“To achieve this goal, we believe AWS can play a role, so with the investment budget of 6.2 billion USD, we hope that Sarawak will not be left out. We also hope that a portion of the allocation will be channeled to the state, whether in the near future or later on,” he said.
He said this in his speech when officiating at the Sarawak Public Sector Innovation Forum at a hotel here today (May 5).
Julaihi added that he is confident all relevant parties in the state support the proposal.
On another note, he said as of March this year, more than 10,000 digital documents have been signed across 180 government agencies under the state government.
He said this initiative supports the state’s green government goals by reducing paper usage and administrative costs.
“Digital signatures have become a cornerstone of our efforts to transform government services, and with the implementation of the Electronic Sarawak Government Activities Bill in November 2022, they are now legally recognised within Sarawak’s public sector.
“The Sarawak Government has launched the DSign platform, enabling secure, paperless document signing for both civil servants and citizens through the Sarawak Civil Service (SCS) Mobile+.
“The State Cabinet has embraced digitalisation through online assessment and approval of all cabinet papers using iPads, reflecting a commitment to administrative efficiency, environmental sustainability, and technological advancement. This initiative supports streamlined decision-making, improved data security, and aligns with Sarawak’s goal of becoming a leading digital state in Malaysia and the region,” he added.
