CM: State-owned station to promote Sarawak worldwide

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak will be able to reach out to a global audience via its newly-launched television station, TVS, in the future, says Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Chief Minister said the launch of the state-owned station last Sunday was part and parcel of Sarawak’s transformation into a digital economy.

“I think in five to 10 years’ time we will reach out to the world through satellite communication and TVS can become a medium of communication worldwide.

“That is our aspiration. TVS can promote Sarawak worldwide and Sarawakians can become global citizens, ” he said when opening D-Virtual Park, Borneo’s first virtual reality theme park, here on Monday.

TVS, which is currently on a trial run on Astro channel 122, aims to be a platform for Sarawak content creators besides airing news bulletins, current affairs programmes and talk shows.

Abang Johari also said the state government was now in the midst of upgrading infrastructure as part of its digital economy strategy, besides establishing links with the outside world to facilitate business opportunities.

He said the state had allocated RM1bil for upgrading infrastructure, including constructing telecommunication towers, throughout the state.

“We have set up the Sarawak Multimedia Authority to coordinate all this development. We also have to prepare our manpower resources and create awareness on the importance of technology in terms of our economic management.

“In line with this, we are promoting commercial agriculture based on technology including fertigation and the Internet of Things (IoT), ” he said.

On D-Virtual Park, Abang Johari said it could be used as a lab by students from nearby universities.

“This is an opportunity for our students to become familiar with technology, ” he said.

Developed by Sarawak-based company Serba Dinamik Group Bhd, the RM13mil park has an innovation lab, virtual games and e-sports facilities.

It also provides a platform for startups to connect to Serba Dinamik’s strategic partners at the India Institute of Technology, Stanford University’s AI lab and Shenzhen.