Latest news with #SarawakMultimediaAuthority
Barnama
16 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
SMA Brings Digital Connectivity, Opportunities To Remote Long Busang Community
KAPIT, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Digital Programme organised by the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) in Long Busang, a remote settlement in the state, has opened a new chapter in the digital transformation of the Kenyah Badeng community in the Bukit Mabong district. The two-day programme, held from July 9, attracted more than 200 residents of all ages and represents the latest effort by SMA to build on its initiatives since introducing telecommunications infrastructure to the area in 2019 - a move that has since reshaped the digital landscape of this once-marginalised community. The programme was made possible through the collaboration of various agencies, including the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), Sarawak Public Service Digitisation Unit (SCSDU), SiliconNet Technologies Sdn. Bhd (SNT), the State Library, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Skills and a smart agriculturel entrepreneur, Cooplay Nyipa Aji. SMA General Manager Datuk Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng said the agency hoped the telecommunications network would serve not merely as a platform for social media but as a catalyst for the community's active participation in the digital economy. "This programme is designed to empower the community with digital knowledge and skills, encourage community participation in the digital economy and promote the Sarawak government's digital applications and services," he said at the closing of the programme last Thursday (July 10). The text of Tiong's speech was read out by his deputy, Dr Suhaila Jaafar. Tiong said the presence of SMA, along with other participating agencies, was not merely to introduce new ideas and technologies, but also to engage with the Long Busang community and better understand their needs and potential. 'This is crucial to ensure that every digital initiative we implement is truly beneficial and tailored to local needs,' he said. Meanwhile, Dr Suhaila told reporters that the programme also served as a platform to assess the progress of the community in Long Busang since the 4G and Wi-Fi services were launched by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in 2019.
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Borneo Post
MPP to install 12 CCTVs in Batu Kawa following rock-throwing incident
Tan (left) and Mohd Irwan during the courtesy call. KUCHING (July 9): In the wake of the arrest of a man suspected of throwing stones at vehicles along Jalan Batu Kawa, the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is planning to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at 12 locations across the Batu Kawa area. Council chairman Tan Kai said MPP will continue engaging with the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) to implement the CCTV installations as part of efforts to ensure public safety and security. 'The planned CCTV sites proposed in the Batu Kawa area are at Emart Batu Kawa including Chieng Pork Shop and in front of Pak Amit Cafe; MJC Park 1, MJC RHB Bank, MJC Night Market, MJC WL6, and MJC Choice Marketplace; Everwin Batu Kawa; Pasar Batu Kawa Lama roundabout; Batu Kawa Waterfront; and Batu Kawa 38 commercial centre,' he said. He said this in a statement yesterday following a courtesy call on Padawan police chief Supt Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Radzi. Mohd Irwan had in a separate statement yesterday said the suspect, a 68-year-old man, has been remanded for four days to assist in the investigation under Section 427 of the Penal Code. The suspect was arrested on July 7 at around 7.15pm by the roadside along Jalan Batu Kawa, with several stones also seized as evidence, he said. Police had received 10 reports related to the stone-throwing incidents, he added. CCTV damaging vehicle Padawan Municipal Council Tan Kai throwing rocks
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SMART project sees 582 telecommunications towers in Sarawak completed, 90.2 pct coverage reached
Julaihi said of the 582 completed towers, 481 are already operational. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 1): A total of 582 out of 618 telecommunications towers planned under the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Transformation (SMART) project have been completed, with the remaining 36 still under construction as of May 31. Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said of the 582 completed towers, 481 are already operational. These include 420 towers offering both Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) broadband services and 4G mobile connectivity via Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology, 55 providing MySRBN-only access, and six serving as repeater sites. 'This marks a major milestone in our mission to enhance digital connectivity and bridge the digital divide across Sarawak. 'The current internet coverage by settlement stands at 90.2 per cent and is expected to reach 93.6 per cent by the end of 2025,' he said in a speech delivered by ministry deputy permanent secretary Syed Mohamad Fauzi Shahab for Digital Technology Nexus 2025 (DigitalNEXUS) organised by Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (Unimas) here today. Julaihi pointed out that Sarawak is among the earliest states to adopt 5G technology, with current Coverage of Populated Areas (Copa) reaching 63.8 per cent. 'The enhanced capabilities of 5G, such as higher speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity, are poised to revolutionise sectors including remote healthcare, industrial automation, transportation, smart cities, and entertainment,' he said. He added that the SMART initiative, one of the state's largest infrastructure projects, involves the rollout of 600 telecommunication towers and 18 repeater towers. Equipped with the MOCN system, it enables multiple telecommunications companies to share infrastructure, reducing costs and accelerating coverage expansion. To further enhance access, Julaihi said initiatives such as WiFi Saluran and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) have been introduced to provide wireless internet to rural and suburban households. 'Complementing these efforts, the state's homegrown MySRBN initiative plays a vital role in delivering fixed wireless broadband to households, schools, and clinics in underserved areas, supporting e-learning, small businesses, telemedicine, and digital public services,' he added. The SMART initiative and expanding 5G coverage are part of Sarawak's broader digital transformation efforts aligned with the state's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030. julaihi narawi lead Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Transformation
Borneo Post
16-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Abg Jo: S'wak exploring use of venture capital to back local films, creative projects
Abang Johari delivers his speech during the launch of JMD at Tegas Digital Village. – Penerangan photo KUCHING (May 16): The Sarawak government is exploring the use of venture capital to support viable local creative projects, including films and digital content, said the Premier. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the government may, through its agency, take equity in projects with market potential to help develop the film industry using digitalisation and content. 'If you create something, film or so on, we are looking into what we call venture capital. You can form a company if your project is viable,' he said during the launch of Jelajah Malaysia Digital (JMD) at Tegas Digital Village here today. 'If your content has a market, maybe somebody else will take equity together with you, just like any film. We have also set aside our venture capital within our budget.' He pointed out the Sarawak government has invested RM3.5 billion over the past five years to advance digital transformation, positioning the state firmly to meet future economic challenges. He explained the annual investment of about RM600 million was funded through the state's own revenue and represents a long-term commitment expected to yield significant returns for the people in the future. 'Digitalisation means we must digitise the whole spectrum of our economy,' he said. To drive Sarawak's digital transformation agenda, Abang Johari said the state government established various agencies such as the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), the Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs), and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). 'At the same time, we are also enhancing various basic infrastructures to support a more comprehensive digital ecosystem, so that we remain at the forefront in the digital economy era,' he said. Recalling his discussions with experts from the London School of Economics (LSE), Abang Johari said Sarawak was commended for being fortunate to possess both capital and natural assets which are resources that must be fully leveraged. 'However, capital alone is not enough. We also need to develop quality human capital with high-level skills to add value to our wealth of resources and generate economic impact. 'This is where digitalisation becomes crucial to enhance processes and add value to our natural assets. We need technology to transform those resources into something of worth. 'That is also why Sarawak has established Tegas Innovation Hubs in several strategic locations, including Sibu, Miri, Sarikei, and Bintulu,' he said. He explained the innovation hubs serve as platforms for young people to innovate and create content and digital solutions, including in areas such as virtual reality and digital living. 'I am proud to see many of our youth being creative and capable of producing content that adds value. 'This proves that Sarawak is not only rich in natural resources, but also in talent and creativity. 'This is part of the process of creating second and third layers of value, the concept of a 'second life' often referred to in the digital economy,' he added. abang johari creative projects lead Venture Capital
