KUCHING: The SarawakPass initiative, managed by the Sarawak Civil Service Digitalisation Unit (SCSDU) under the Sarawak Premier's Department, secured the highest accolade at the Digital Economy Awards 2026 (DEA2026) by winning the Premier's Digital Economy Award.

Through the initiative ‘SarawakPass: Powering Proactive, Citizen-Centric Government Services’, SarawakPass also won the Digital Government Award, enabling SCSDU to take home two awards at the DEA2026.

The awards were presented by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, during the IDECS26 Gala Dinner held at a hotel here on Monday.

As the recipient of the Premier's Digital Economy Award, SCSDU received a cash prize of RM20,000, while winners of individual categories received RM10,000 each.

DEA2026 recorded 128 entries this year compared to 116 in 2025, while 75 entries were received for the first-stage evaluation, an increase from 70 in the previous edition.

In addition to the Digital Government Award, SCSDU also won the Smart Solution Award, while NEUON AI Sdn Bhd received the AI ​​Innovation Award whereas One Medicare Sdn Bhd clinched the Environmental Sustainability Award.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) won two categories, namely the Research and Development Award and the Digital Technology Award, while OB Research Sdn Bhd received the Digital Creative Industry Award.

The event saw SCSDU and UNIMAS each secure two category awards, with the DEA2026 recipients collectively showcasing innovations across diverse fields including public service, artificial intelligence, research and development, environmental sustainability and the digital creative industry.

Also in attendance were Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication and Minister-In-Charge of IDECS Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak Financial Secretary and SMD Semiconductor Chairman Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Sarawak Information Systems (SAINS) Chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) Chairman and IDECS Deputy Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani as well as other dignitaries. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Lonney Jinab
Photo: George S Embie
Translator: Nerissa Sia