Sarawak government to table digital ordinance

Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposed ordinance to be tabled in the next State Assembly sitting before year end, would provide the legislative framework for establishing a new entity to be called Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA).

"SMA will be set up by early January 2018," he said in his winding up speech on the last day of the 18th State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

The chief minister would take the SMA chairmanship to ensure that policies for Digital Sarawak were properly formulated and developed to economically benefit the state and people of Sarawak.

He said SMA would be guided by a board of directors who are experts in various aspects of the digital world.

SMA would further create and oversee the development of two new entities - the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and the Centre of Excellence for Digital Economy.

The role of SDEC would be to implement the policies and programmes for the development of Digital Sarawak in line with the policies of the SMA.

"SDEC will also be responsible for the Digital Highway, Big Data and the Big Data Analytic Engine and managing the implementation of Cybersecurity, E-commerce and talent management," he added.

Another area to be formulated by SMA is Digital Village, an ecosystem for start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors or even government agencies to develop and express their ideas and innovation.

Abang Johari said SMA would develop a digital village framework for youths as well, and through SDEC, oversee its development and encourage the setting up of similar environment by the private sector.

He said SMA would also facilitate funding for technopreneurs and help them access markets through the Digital Village.