20,000 Sungai Asap Residents Enjoy Benefits Of High-Speed Broadband
BELAGA: Approximately 20,000 residents in Sungai Asap are now enjoying the benefits of high-speed broadband access through the implementation of the High-Speed Broadband Project which complements the Sungai Asap Digital Village initiative.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Telecommunication), Datuk Liwan Lagang said the project involves the installation of 140 kilometres of optical fibre and the construction of a telecommunications tower covering 28 sites in the area.
According to him, this project benefits 15 longhouses involving the Kenyah, Kayan, Lahanan, Seping, Ukit and Penan communities, in addition to also benefiting seven government agencies, three schools and two houses of worship.
“This project costs at least RM37 million and aims to bridge the digital gap between urban and rural areas so that high-speed broadband facilities can be enjoyed equitably by the rural community,” he said.
He said this when officiating the Closing Ceremony of the High-Speed Broadband Project Engagement Session – Sungai Asap Digital Village which was held at the Sungai Asap Community Hall, on Friday.
He added that this project also leverages the Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Right of Way (ROW) to accelerate the provision of more affordable high-speed broadband services to the local community.
“This digital access is very important to strengthen the education, healthcare, governance and digital commerce sectors in line with the aspirations of the Sarawak Government through the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030,” he said.
Meanwhile, Murum Assemblyman, Kennedy Chukpai Ugon said that the Sungai Asap Digital Village project has the potential to be a catalyst for the socio-economic development of rural communities.
According to him, the implementation of the project opens up space for various digital services including e-government, digital education, smart agriculture and public safety systems.
“The digital infrastructure developed is also capable of stimulating rural economic growth through support for entrepreneurship, online markets and innovation-based digital businesses,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) Deputy General Manager, Ts Dr Suhaila Jaffar said that the successful implementation of the high-speed broadband project by SMA in Sebauh District, Bintulu in 2022 has had a positive impact on the local community.
“Now, the initiative has been expanded to Sungai Asap as a continuous effort to drive the transformation of rural digital communities,” he explained.
The ceremony was also attended by SACOFA Chief Executive Officer, Jafer Sadig Abdul Lathiff, as well as representatives from various agencies including the Land and Survey Department, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), SEB, Telekom Malaysia and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).- UKASnews
