KUCHING: Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com Inc company that announced a long-term investment of RM29.2 billion in Malaysia through 2038, will be able to accelerate the digital transformation in Sarawak.

Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, has called for part of the AWS investment to be channeled to Sarawak, in line with the state's efforts to accelerate digital transformation by 2030.

He explained that Sarawak, which is almost equivalent in size to Peninsular Malaysia, should also be given priority in the distribution of the investment.

"We want to ensure that our digital transformation is truly active and if we can accelerate digital transformation, especially throughout Sarawak in rural areas, I think that is good enough for us to achieve the target by 2030 and I believe AWS can play a role here.

"So, please don’t forget Sarawak with your budget of USD6.2 billion. Part of the allocation is for Sarawak in the future or now, since it is part of your budget," he said.

He said this when speaking at the Sarawak Public Sector Innovation Forum & Malaysia Media Briefing at a leading hotel here on Monday.

Dato Sri Julaihi also assured investors that Sarawak is a politically and economically stable state.

He said confidence and trust in Sarawak's capabilities are very important in attracting strategic investments such as those offered by AWS.

"Don't worry, Sarawak is very stable. Sarawak is very stable and we deliver on what we promised.

"So, if you read some news that is not confident in us, it may be just speculation on paper.

"I can assure you that we will be able to achieve what we have planned and what we are planning to achieve in the near future. In fact, we have proven it," he stated.

Also present were Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sarawak Centre of Technology Excellence (CENTEXS), Dato Syeed Mohd Hussein, Sarawak Information System Sdn Bhd (SAINS) CEO, Busiai Seman, Senior Managing Director of AWS Asia Pacific, Eric Conrad and AWS Malaysia Public Sector Country Manager, Hafiz Hassan. -UKASnews