KUCHING: Sarawak’s digital economy strategy is now in the early stages of implementation, with various projects and initiatives being rolled out by the state government.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said one early initiative was an online identification and authentication system called Sarawak ID, which enables the public to access and use the state government’s online services.
“The Sarawak ID is the first step towards a service-based, people-centric government. Twenty government services are now online and registered Sarawak ID users benefit from the flexibility and ease of access to these services.
“In the near future, more innovative, personalised and seamless services will be introduced,” he said when opening the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak 2019 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on Monday (July 8).
As of July 1, there were 208,644 registered users of the Sarawak ID.
Abang Johari said the state government had also implemented the Sarawak Pay e-wallet application for e-commerce purposes.
He said Sarawak Pay was not profit-oriented but was aimed at the economic well-being of the under-served rural community in the state.
As of June 30, Sarawak Pay had 91,640 registered users with transactions amounting to RM35mil.
“The target is to reach 150,000 users by yearend,” the Chief Minister said.
In addition, he said the Old Kuching Smart Heritage project aimed to safeguard the city’s historical heritage through digital technology.
It will use information technology to create a smart community in which everyone gets involved in heritage preservation.
“Once everything is in place, the Old Kuching Smart Heritage will change the way we experience Kuching’s heritage sites and products,” he added.
Abang Johari also defended his digital economy strategy for the state, saying Sarawak could not afford to be left behind in adopting digital technology and economic growth that could benefit the people.
“Either we push ahead in new research areas or we will always be a follower without being able to bring much progress to our people.
“I am fully aware of the critics of my vision to bring Sarawak towards the digital economy. I wish to reiterate that digital economy is not something we can take for granted,” he said.
[Source: “S’wak digital economy strategy in early stages of implementation, says CM” published by TheStar.com.my]
