KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has channeled funds totalling RM3.5 billion in the past five years to develop the digital industry in the region.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said that this investment was channelled through agencies such as the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Centre for Technical Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).

According to him, efforts to upgrade infrastructure were also carried out simultaneously, with an average annual expenditure reaching RM600 million per year.

"Over a five-year period, this means that we have spent about RM600 million a year from our own money.

"But we know that this is a long-term investment and in the end, the people will benefit from this investment," he said.

He said this during the Jelajah Kreatif Digital programme organised by the Digital Ministry at TEGAS Digital Village here on Friday.

The Sarawak Premier added that the digitalisation of the economy also requires a comprehensive effort covering all sectors.

In response to this need, he said,m various programmes have been introduced to help the people, especially the B40 group, who are facing the increasing cost of living through the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) which applies digital knowledge with the use of the SPay Global e-wallet.

However, he explained that aid recipients need to register with SPay Global to enjoy this facility.

"It should be noted that there are still skeptics out there who question if Sarawakians can use Sarawak Pay (SPay Global)?
"At the present moment, 85 per cent including those in rural areas can use Sarawak Pay (SPay Global) to make payments," he said.

Also present were Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo, Deputy Digital Minister, Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Digital Ministry Secretary-General, Fabian Bigar, Digital Ministry Deputy Secretary-General, Ma Sivanesan Marimuthu, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Chairman, Syed Ibrahim Syes Noh, SDEC Chief Executive Officer, Dato Ir Ts Sudarnoto Osman as well as heads of departments. -UKASnews