KUCHING: The Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) have been urged to remain proactive and ready to embrace the rapid growth of technology and digital economy in line with aspirations to make Sarawak a leading digital economy in the region.
Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said as the only city in the world led by two mayors, Kuching holds a unique position and has undergone significant transformation since being declared a city on 1 August 1988.
“Over the past 37 years, under the leadership of eight Kuching North Mayors and five Kuching South Mayors, Kuching has rapidly established its name on the global stage.
“We have witnessed Kuching’s remarkable progress in economic, physical, and social development. This momentum must not stop here,” he said.
He said this in a text of speech read by Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the 37th Kuching City Day Commemoration Ceremony at Pangkalan Sapi, here on Friday.
According to Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari, Sarawak is now on the right track to become the region’s leading digital economic powerhouse in order to achieve inclusive, responsible, and sustainable socio-economic development.
To this end, he said the Sarawak Government has launched the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030 (SDE 2030) which aims to attract global economic flows through strategies such as cross-border data development, and digital investments including Artificial Intelligence (AI) hubs.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that the SDE 2030 is part of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, designed to transform the state’s economy and society from a conventional base to one driven by sustainable technology.
“This is part of the Sarawak Government’s effort to take an active role in advancing the digital economy through five strategic pillars, namely prioritising economic growth, developing digital businesses, transforming public sector and services, adopting frontier technologies, and strengthening digital economy foundations such as data governance, cybersecurity, talent, digital skills, research, and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Therefore, he said the government is emphasising the use of emerging technologies such as AI, Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, 5G and others which can drive productivity, innovation, and empower the lives of Sarawakians.
The Sarawak Premier also called on DBKU and MBKS to embrace these aspirations and remain relevant and responsive to the demands of the digital era, adapting themselves to fully benefit from digital transformation.
He stressed that both DBKU and MBKS must rethink their interactions and public perception including policies, service delivery, monitoring, and evaluation.
Meanwhile, he also praised the notable achievements of Kuching City, including its ranking among the top 10 cities in the world for air quality, its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2021, its receipt of the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award 2024–2026, and recognition as a Smart City in Malaysia.
Also present at the event were Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy and PETROS), Dato Ibrahim Baki, DBKU Mayor, Dato Hilmy Othman, and MBKS Mayor, Dato Wee Hong Seng. -UKASnews
