LAWAS: Agencies involved in building infrastructure and delivering telecommunication and digital services in Sarawak must strengthen coordination to ensure people enjoy reliable and uninterrupted connectivity, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He stressed that stronger cooperation was vital to support the state’s efforts to bridge the digital divide, particularly in rural and remote areas where gaps in service delivery and infrastructure rollout remain.

“There must be proper coordination between agencies and service providers to avoid overlaps, reduce delays, and maximise resources. At the end of the day, what matters is that the rakyat receive reliable and high-quality services,” he said when closing the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) townhall session in Lawas on Saturday.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development, reminded that telecommunication is no longer a luxury but a necessity for education, business, and community development.

He also called on enforcement bodies to safeguard towers, cables, and equipment from theft, vandalism, and security threats.

He highlighted the state’s heavy investment in digital infrastructure through initiatives such as the SMA and Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which aim to accelerate inclusive growth and ensure no community is left behind.

Beyond infrastructure, he said capacity building, training, and innovation must also be prioritised so that Sarawakians can become creators, not just consumers, in the digital economy.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah expressed confidence that with closer collaboration and commitment, Sarawak will strengthen its telecommunication landscape, boost investor confidence, and deliver lasting benefits, especially to underserved rural communities. -UKASnews