SDRE Connect Strengthens Sarawak Digital Residency Programme Through Regional Exchange
KUCHING: Sarawak Digital Residency Ecosystem (SDRE) Connect brought together local ecosystem players, digital residents, and regional partners at the Borneo Cultures Museum yesterday, creating a platform to exchange experiences and explore opportunities to strengthen the Sarawak Digital Residency Programme (SDRP).
Supported by Diffusion Borneo 2026, the networking event featured two panel sessions covering ecosystem development, remote work, and the experience of living and working in Sarawak.
The first panel session, ‘Ecosystem and Industry Perspective’, comprised panellists Elaine Sim of MigrateSafe, Wan Xin of Remote Work Malaysia, Ng Sai Kit of Artem Ventures, and John Ho of Alt_Coliving Chiang Mai.
Representing perspectives from Sarawak, West Malaysia and Chiang Mai, Thailand, the panellists discussed the role of the authorities, communities and industry partners in creating a supportive environment for digital professionals and globally mobile talent.
The second panel, ‘Digital Nomads and Foreign Residents in Sarawak: Living, Working and Thriving in Sarawak’, featured Kamilia Azizi, Head of the Digital Residency Unit at Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation; Michael Lohrum, a foreign resident based in Kuching; and Tobias Karlsson, a DE Rantau Sarawak pass holder.
The session provided first-hand perspectives on settling into Sarawak, working remotely, connecting with the local community, and the practical considerations that shape the overall experience of digital residents.
“SDRE Connect is about bringing the people behind the ecosystem into the same room. By listening to local industry, regional partners and digital residents themselves, we can better understand what makes Sarawak a place where people can live, work, and contribute meaningfully,” said Kamilia.
The discussions highlighted the importance of building an ecosystem that goes beyond the immigration pass itself. This includes access to welcoming communities, workspaces, accommodation, professional services, local experiences, and opportunities to connect with businesses and industry networks.
SDRE Connect also supported greater regional knowledge exchange by connecting Sarawak’s ecosystem with established remote-work communities and industry partners in West Malaysia and Chiang Mai.
The programme concluded with an open discussion and networking session, allowing participants to continue conversations, form new connections, and identify potential areas for future collaboration.
DE Rantau Sarawak is the first phase of the Sarawak Digital Residency Programme (SDRP), an initiative aimed at attracting eligible digital professionals to live, work remotely and participate in Sarawak’s growing digital economy. - UKASnews
