Lee: Help In Global Warming , Sarawak Develop Hydrogen Technology

Kuching, Aug 21: 5G Network Coverage across Sarawak has reached 62 Percent as of June 2024 According to Dato Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng, General Manager of Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), which is responsible for managing the 5G network, is targeting coverage of 64.8 percent by the end of the year. "There are still a few percentage points left to reach this target and complete 5G network coverage in several areas of Sarawak this year," he said, Tiong made these remarks at the Sarawak Telecommunication Development Townhall session, which was held today at a local hotel and featured key telecommunications sector leaders and stakeholders. Organised by SMA, the session aimed to address the development of telecommunication infrastructure in Sarawak, with a strong focus on the ongoing 5G rollout. Tiong further stressed that the 5G network is critical in supporting Sarawak's rapidly growing digital economy development agenda, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. He emphasised that Sarawak, through its digital economy policy, aims to become a developed and high-income state by 2030, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of up to eight per cent per year. Additionally, he urged the public to support the construction of 5G network infrastructure in their respective areas and to filter out false information claiming that 5G radiation can cause cancer. SMA, he said, has collaborated with the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (ANM) to assess 5G telecommunications towers to ensure they comply with established standards. Adding to Tiong's statement, Roha Tukimin, Senior Research Officer from ANM, in a briefing stressed that claims about 5G radiation allegedly causing cancer are unfounded, as no specific body in the world has declared that the development of the 5G network can alter human body tissues. Roha explained that there are two types of radiation, ionising and non-ionising. Ionising radiation, such as X-rays and radioactive materials, can cause cancer, while non-ionising radiation produced by 5G only causes heating effects and is not strong enough to negatively affect human body tissues, even in the long-term. "Based on reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 25,000 research articles worldwide published over the past 30 years show that exposure to low-frequency radio waves or non-ionising radiation does not have a negative impact on human health," she added. Tiong further emphasised that the 5G network not only benefits residents in the covered areas but also supports future technological advancements. He additionally highlighted the importance of tackling vandalism against 5G infrastructure. The Sarawak Telecommunication Development Townhall Session featured presentations from experts from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), DNB, and the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, which provided insights on the safety and benefits of 5G. The event was attended by various dignitaries and officials, including Sarawak Deputy Premier and Sarawak Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Liwan Lagang; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng; Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai; Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap; and Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang. - DayakDaily

KUCHING, Aug 2: Sarawak's renewable energy generation, primarily from hydropower, is drawing numerous investors, with the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications (MUT) receiving monthly applications expressing an interest in setting up data centers in the region. Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datro Sri Julaihi Narawi revealed that the Sarawak government is currently reviewing and evaluating the applications submitted to the Ministry, including related agencies such as Sarawak Energy, and the Economic Planning Unit (EPU). "Sarawak's renewable energy accounts for 70 percent of the region's electricity generation and that is the key attraction for investors." "We have received quite a number of applications from investors to set up their data centres in Sarawak. In fact, we received applications monthly due to the region's renewable and green energy, "  he told a press conference after attending a Briefing on Satellite Technology by Malaysia East Asia Satellite (MEASAT) at a hotel here today. Julaihi welcomed the interest, noting it aligns with efforts to expand data centre facilities using green renewable energy which is well known for.  Regarding Starlink, he mentioned that Sarawak is exploring all possibilities on how best to utilise SpaceX's satellite internet services without compromising private data.  "We want our data to be stored securely within the shores of Sarawak. This is one of the matters raised when raised inquiries with Starlink." "Currently we are relying on the construction of telecommunication towers, but as much as we desire the technology to resolve connectivity issues in Sarawak, data security remains our top priority," he said.  Julaihi added that if Starlink offers advanced technology that will provide interim solutions to extend dull network coverage throughout Sarawak, especially rural areas in a short period of time, Sarawak is keen to explore these options.  Acknowledging Sarawak's challenging topography, he mentioned ongoing efforts to connect rural areas through the construction of 600 Smart towers. complementing MCMC's initiative under the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA).  "We are making daily improvements to connect inaccessible areas to the internet," he said. Deputy Minister of Telecommunication, Datuk Liwan Lagang, Deputy Minister of Utility, Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi and SMA General Manager, Dato Anderson Tiong Ing Heng were present. - DayakDaily

KUCHING: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera (Yayasan Peneraju) paid a courtesy visit to Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) recently to develop cooperation with SMA on the various aspects of digital economy. The delegation from MATRADE was led by the assistant director of MATRADE Sarawak, Aidatul Marina Abdul Ghani. She asserted the agency aim to collaborate with SMA to educate the public about digital finance through awareness programmes. Meanwhile, the delegation from Yayasan Peneraju, led by its chief executive officer, Ibrahim Sani, advocated that the collaboration with SMA would be to train the younger generation towards technology adoption and cyber security. Head of Digital Adoption Division of SMA, Hemlet Kiai who welcomed both delegations said he is optimistic about the agendas planned by both agencies to establish a productive cooperation with SMA. “The frameworks proposed by both agencies align with the role and responsibilities of SMA as the leader of Sarawak’s digital economy. “There are facilities such as grants and training provided by these agencies to educate the community towards digital adoption. “In fact, we at SMA have a total of 45 Digital Community Centers (DCC) facilities across Sarawak, serving as centers to provide training to local residents interested in venturing into the digital entrepreneurship field,” he said.

KUCHING (Aug 2): The Sarawak government has established a new task force known as the Space Industry and Satellite Committee (Siscom) as part of its commitment to advancing the space industry and satellite technology. Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the committee will be responsible for developing a comprehensive policy framework and establishing governance structures, among other tasks. “Our aim is to create a robust ecosystem that supports the growth and application of satellite technology across various sectors, with the aspiration of owning and managing our own satellite technology assets one day. “This is the dream we have in mind, and hopefully, it will materialise,” he told a press conference after attending a satellite technology briefing by Measat here today. Julaihi, who also chairs the task force, emphasised the importance of having thorough knowledge of the field. “This knowledge is crucial for us to make well-informed strategic decisions regarding its planning and implementation. “We must study the details, the technologies, and so forth if we are to explore the space industry and satellite technology in the near future, with the hope that one day we will own our own assets,” he said. He noted that the deployment of satellite technology has the potential to spur economic growth and development in Sarawak. “Sarawak is vast, with many areas yet to be fully connected, so this is one of the measures we have. “With the right infrastructure and technology, Sarawak will be able to achieve developed state status by the year 2030, in line with our PCDS (Post Covid-19 Development Strategy) 2030 and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030. These are among the technologies we are exploring right now,” he said. On the committee’s members, Julaihi said the task force includes all relevant agencies, with the secretariat handled by the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and coordination by the ministry. “At the same time, we are inviting relevant committee members, including those with existing technology expertise in Malaysia. That’s why we are inviting Measat to be part of our committee. “This is just the beginning, as we aim to explore more possibilities,” he said. Among those present were Utility and Telecommunication deputy ministers Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Datuk Liwan Lagang, Measat chief operating officer Yau Chyong Lim, and SMA general manager Datuk Dr Anderson Tiong.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) has organised a Cybersecurity Workshop attended by representatives from 24 agencies involved in critical infrastructure and service provider companies. The workshop aimed to discuss and formulate plans and strategies that chart Sarawak’s path in the aspect of cybersecurity. According to Sarawak Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Liwan Lagang, cybersecurity is important in its digital economy policy which is a key driver for economic development in the region. As such, he lauded the organisation of the workshop as an appropriate platform for exploring the use case of cybersecurity related matters. "We have our digital advisors here all from SMA to see if the related laws passed in the Parliament are suitable to be implemented (in Sarawak) for cases of misuse, including those involving cyberbullying,” he said. Datuk Liwan said this in a press conference in conjunction with the Cybersecurity Workshop, which was held at a leading hotel here, on Monday. Meanwhile, SMA General Manager, Dato Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng said SMA is responsible for reviewing cybersecurity guidelines and is currently collaborating with the Federal government on matters relating to the new Cyber Security Act. “We are also developing our own guidelines for both the government and private sectors, with a primary focus on critical infrastructure such as power, utilities, and so forth. “So that will be our first phase. Once we have covered all of those, then we will move on to other services or infrastructure,” he said. Dato Dr Anderson also explained that the Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit (SCSDU) is working together with Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) for implementation of cybersecurity policies to safeguard government data. “Given the focus on digital governance, SAINS has to replace (outdated) policies and guidelines. It has also adopted the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification in Information Security Management System (ISMS),” he added. Also present during the event were Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, Jafri Lias, Chief Scientist and Chief Digital Economy Advisor, Professor Jugdutt (Jack) Singh, Technical Advisor of SMA, Peter Chia, Chief Strategic Cybersecurity Officer of SMA, Jonathan Ng Hong Ping, and others. -UKAS news

KUCHING (July 15): Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) is establishing its own guidelines to enhance cybersecurity for both government and public sectors. In stating this, its general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong said the key areas being focused on to strengthen cyber security include safeguarding critical infrastructure, such as public utilities and energy. “SMA’s tasks are to look at these cyber security policies and guidelines and at this point of time, we are in the midst of working with the government on the new Act related to the federal cyber security policies,” he said at a press conference held on the sidelines of a cyber security workshop held at a hotel here today. Tiong pointed out SMA also works closely with Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (Sains) in implementing cyber security policies to protect government data while public services are being digitalised. The one-day cyber security workshop was attended by representatives from 24 agencies and organisations, including institutions of higher learning, to draft cyber security strategies for Sarawak. It was declared open by Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang.

KUCHING (Dec 9): The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) will be establishing a Cyber Security Unit to curb the spread of cybercrimes in the state, said its general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong. He said the growing cases of cybercrime have made cyber security not just an option, but a necessity. “As a result (of increased cybercrime cases), the Sarawak government is expediting the implementation of the Cyber Security Framework through the Cyber Security Unit focusing on effective governance, policy, compliance, research, innovation, technology, capacity-building and collaboration. “In the future, we at SMA will establish the Cyber Security Unit to protect public data and avoid the spread of cybercrime in Sarawak as much as possible,” he said when flagging off SMA’s inaugural Cyber Security Run at Padang Merdeka here today. Tiong said that based on statistics obtained from the police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department, a total of 1,901 online crime cases were recorded in Sarawak from Jan 1-Nov 30 this year. He pointed out this trend shows an increase of 300 cases compared to the same period in 2022 with 1,601 cases. “For the year 2023, a total of 552 cases involved e-commerce crimes, non-existent loans (299), phone scams (252), love scams (51), impersonation (86), e-finance (136), non-existent investments (252) and job offers (273). “These data are not something we are proud of because we have a great responsibility to curb this cybercrime,” he added. According to him, cybercrime can be avoided when individuals protect their own personal data. “This means, do not share any of your information such as ID card number, bank account number and so on to third parties,” he said. He also said authorities such as the police, the Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), which are often targeted by cybercriminals to intimidate victims, never deal office business through phone calls. “If you have any doubts, please contact the relevant government agency for more accurate information,” he added. Some 2,000 participants participated in the event held in conjunction with the Sarawak Civil Service Innovation Month 2023. Also held was a briefing from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and Sarawak Information System on the topic of “Click Wisely” and also from Sarawak Information System.

Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), in collaboration with MESTR, Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) have joined together in making Sarawak Invention, Innovation and Design Expo 2019 (SIIDEx 2019), a platform to promote and nurture interest in Sciences and Technology amongst school students.   SIIDEX is a key part of the talent development focus under the state’s Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy championed by SMA.

KUCHING (Feb 27): Sarawak is showcasing its digital economy agenda at the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2024 (MWC24) in Barcelona, Spain through the setting up of the ‘Ruai Sarawak’ booth. Utility and Telecommunications Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, who launched the booth on Monday, said it serves as a platform to promote investment opportunities aligned with Sarawak digital agenda. “The booth showcases the digital economy initiatives outlined in the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 which highlights the government’s commitment to drive innovation and fostering growth in the digital landscape,” he said in a press release following the launch of the booth. Julaihi, who is leading a delegation from Sarawak at MWC24, pointed out that with a focus on digital initiatives and sustainable solutions, Sarawak aims to position itself as a key player in the mobile technology ecosystem in both Malaysia and globally. “We are thrilled to be participating in the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2024, a platform that brings together innovators, thought leaders, and industry experts from around the world. “Sarawak’s presence at MWC underscores our commitment to driving innovation and leveraging technology to address the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. It is also important that Sarawak’s development plans and initiatives are visible globally,” he said. The MWC in Barcelona is the largest and most influential event in the connectivity and mobile communications sector. Professionals and industrial players from various verticals related to connectivity, digital innovation, and technology attend the annual conference which features the latest technologies in the telecommunications sector. “This year, the Sarawak delegation aims to explore alternative solutions and inter-networking strategies to stimulate digital and telecommunication ecosystem growth in MWC24. “By gaining insights into the latest technologies and innovations, as well as engaging with industry leaders, the delegation aims to forge collaborations that will significantly enhance digital transformation in Sarawak which is in line with one of the enablers towards economic growth,” said Julaihi. Throughout the duration of MWC24, he said the delegation will actively engage in various technical and study visits. Julaihi explained these endeavours aim to identify and explore opportunities and the latest technologies conducive to Sarawak’s developmental aspirations. Among those from Sarawak who attended the MWC24 are three Deputy Ministers namely Datuk Liwan Lagang, Datuk Len Talif Salleh and Datuk Abdullah Saidol. Members of the delegation also included State Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, the Utility and Telecommunications Ministry’s permanent secretary Jafri Lias; Sarawak Multimedia Authority general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation chief executive officer Sudarnoto Osman; Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit’s director Grace Huong Siew Hung, and officers from ministries Ministry Of Public Health, Housing And Local Government, Economic Planning Unit, Sarawak Information Systems, Sarawak Energy Berhad and Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak. Julaihi said this cohesive representation underscores Sarawak’s commitment to fostering collaborations and leveraging global expertise for the advancement of its digital and telecommunication sectors.

LAWAS: Pemilik harta intelek boleh mengambil tindakan undang-undang ke atas pihak lain yang menggunakan harta intelek mereka tanpa kebenaran tuan punya sebenar. Ahli Parlimen Lawas Datuk Henry Sum Agong berkata, kerajaan Sarawak melalui Lembaga Multimedia Sarawak (SMA) akan memastikan segala hak harta intelek yang dihasilkan oleh agensi-agensi kerajaan Sarawak dan komuniti di Sarawak dilindungi agar dapat dimanfaatkan untuk menjana pertumbuhan sosioekonomi Sarawak. "Sarawak mempunyai banyak produk tempatan yang telah didaftar di bawah hak harta intelek melalui petunjuk geografi yang berjaya menembusi pasaran global seperti Lada Sarawak, Ikan Empurau Sarawak, Midin Sarawak dan Beras Bario. "Kita di Lawas juga memiliki produk-produk unik yang perlu segera dikenal pasti dan didaftar di bawah perlindungan hak harta intelek seperti Ikan Tahai Lawas, Garam Bukit dan Beras Adan. "Saya berharap SMA bersama Jabatan Pertanian Sarawak Daerah Lawas segera mendaftar Garam Bukit Lawas dan Beras Adan di bawah perlindungan hak harta intelek," ujarnya. Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada perasmian Seminar Pemerkasaan Harta Intelek 2024 Daerah Lawas anjuran SMA di sebuah hotel di sini, pada Khamis. Henry Sum berkata, pembaharuan dalam persekitaran ekonomi, sama ada di dalam negara, serantau mahupun antarabangsa telah meletakkan harta intelek sebagai elemen penting dalam perkembangan perniagaan. "Harta intelek tidak lagi menjadi 'protecti e legal shield' semata-mata, malah mempunyai fungsi sama seperti harta ketara lain iaitu boleh diperdagangkan atau dilesenkan dengan nilai yang tinggi," jelasnya. Kata beliau, pendaftaran harta intelek di bawah undang-undang berkaitan, pemiliknya akan mendapat hak eksklusif untuk mengawal dan mengeksploitasi harta intelek mereka dan ini termasuklah hak untuk membuat, mengguna dan menjual. Justeru, Henry Sum juga mahu SMA meningkatkan kekerapan mengadakan program pemerkasaan harta intelek bagi memastikan komuniti setempat tidak ketinggalan serta turut diberi pendedahan serta latihan mengenai kepentingan harta intelek dalam nemacu transformasi sosioekonomi mereka. Pada masa yang sama, beliau mahu Perkhidmatan Awam Sarawak di Daerah Lawas meningkatkan pengetahuan dalam hal berkaitan harta intelek dan terus berinovasi serta mencari idea-idea baharu dalam meningkatkan kualiti penyampaian perkhidmatan menerusi inovasi-inovasi yang dilaksanakan. Hadir sama majlis tersebut ialah Pegawai Daerah Lawas Ladin Atok, Ketua Unit Pelesenan, Inspektorat dan Penguatkuasaan SMA Steward  Sayong dan Pegawai Tadbir dari Unit Transformasi dan Inovasi Sarawak Jabatan Premier Sarawak Zawawi  Rambli.

 Lee: Premier formulate strategies to promote Sarawak Leading green energy in Malaysia