KUCHING: The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) will extend its High-Speed Broadband Rural Networks initiative to 11 additional areas across the state this year.
SMA general manager Datuk Anderson Tiong Ing Heng said the targeted areas include Gedong, Sebuyau, Simunjan, Asajaya, Lingga, Sadong Jaya, Beting Maro, Saribas, Bukit Saban, Layar, and Sungai Asap.
“This involves the installation of approximately 1,000 kilometers (km) of fiber optics.
“This project is vital for enhancing our telecommunications infrastructure and improving connectivity in underserved areas,” he said.
He said this during the SMA 2025 Lunar New Year Dinner at a hotel here, last night (Feb 7).
He said that SMA has successfully conducted a pilot project through the Sebauh Rural High-Speed Open Broadband Network, demonstrating the feasibility of their solutions.
“This project supports the goals outlined in the Post Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. It prioritises the rapid expansion of broadband and digital infrastructure to foster economic growth and close the connectivity gap, particularly in the rural areas,” he said.
In another development, Tiong said SMA is testing Sarawak ID version 2.0, incorporating multi-factor authentication and facial recognition.
Currently, the Sarawak Pass solution is being piloted at ICQS Sungai Tujuh, Miri, to reduce queuing times at the Miri-Brunei border by improving immigration processing efficiency.
“The project has the potential to improve the processing efficiency for immigration at the Miri-Brunei border,” he said.
He said that the Sarawak ID version 2.0 will be further extended to create a comprehensive digital identity ecosystem, supporting Sarawak’s digital economy in a manner similar to SingPass in Singapore or e-ID in Estonia.
“This will be our Sarawak Pass,” he added.
Tiong explained that Sarawak ID, launched in 2018, already provides digital identity and e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) functionalities, allowing single sign-on access to Sarawak government online services.
“Currently, Sarawak ID has about 1.56 million registered users,” he said.
