KUCHING: Sarawak continues to bolster its digital transformation agenda and sustainable development through the implementation of various strategic geospatial initiatives, including the development of a Marine Cadastre, a centralised utility system, and a modern geodetic framework to support the state’s aspiration of becoming a high-income developed nation by 2030.

Director of the Sarawak Land and Survey Department (JTS), Datu Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood, stated that land management and geospatial data have now become critical components in the successful delivery of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), particularly in the aspects of governance, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability.

According to him, without efficient land administration and accurate spatial data, state development will face risks of imbalance, delays, and land-use conflicts.

“Land is not merely a physical asset, but the foundation of Sarawak’s economy, community, and identity.

“True development is not solely about economic growth, but rather sustainable development that is inclusive and benefits all levels of society,” he said.

He said this while delivering a keynote address at the RISM Surveyors’ Congress 2026 Sarawak Branch held at the Grand Riverine Ballroom on Thursday.

Elaborating further, he stated that JTS Sarawak is currently actively driving digital transformation through the development of a digital cadastre system, an integrated geospatial platform, and the implementation of the Sarawak Geocentric Datum 2020 (SGD2020), which replaces the legacy system used since 1968.

He added that the development of the Sarawak Continuously Operating Reference Stations Network (Sarawak SJNet),which now comprises 38 reference stations across the state—has further enhanced the accuracy of geospatial positioning data and supports the advancement of data-driven smart systems.

At the same time, he noted that the state government is also strengthening utility management through the development of the Utimax system, a centralised digital platform for utility mapping that was fully launched in 2025.

According to him, the system enables utility data to be coordinated, accessed, and managed more efficiently, thereby reducing conflicts during the execution of development projects and infrastructure construction.

He also emphasised that Sarawak is currently on a solid footing to lead Marine Cadastre development in Malaysia, supporting the blue economy, maritime boundary protection, and the development of carbon initiatives such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS).

“The Marine Cadastre not only facilitates more systematic management of marine areas but also enables three-dimensional mapping involving the sea surface, water column, and seabed.

“It is vital for protecting state interests, clarifying maritime usage rights, and supporting the sustainable development of offshore resources,” he explained.

He further noted that Sarawak has developed a Marine Cadastre roadmap which is now entering its implementation phase as of 2026, through a collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

In the meantime, he stressed that the surveying profession is no longer merely focused on boundary measurement work, but instead plays a pivotal role in development policy, digital transformation, and the state's sustainability agenda. -UKASnews

Translator: Sarah Nicole Hii