New ordinance for management of state’s digital infrastructure to be tabled

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A new entity named the Sarawak Multimedia Authority will be tasked with setting up policies and standards for the state’s digital infrastructure. File Photo

KUCHING: The state government will table a new ordinance to govern the development and management of all aspects of the digital world in the next State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting before the end of this year.

Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposed ordinance should provide the legislative framework for establishing a new entity to be called the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA).

“The SMA shall be the Sarawak government outfit and shall be set up by early January next year,” he said when delivering his winding up speech in the august House today.

He added that he should personally take the chairmanship of the SMA.

According to him, the SMA shall be guided by a Board of Directors who are experts in various aspects of the digital world.

The role of the SMA, he said, is to set policies and standards for the development of a world-class standard Digital Sarawak on several key areas including Digital Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Digital Government, E-Commerce, Talent Development, Digital Village and start-ups and R&D (research and development) in digital technology.

“The SMA shall further create and oversee the development of two new entities: the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and Centre of Excellence for Digital Economy.

“The SDEC will also be fully owned by the Sarawak government. SDEC shall be managed by local talent, to be headed by a CEO and guided by a Board of Directors who are experts in the digital technology and digital economy,” he said.

He added that SDEC was to implement the policies and programmes for the development of Digital Sarawak in line with the policies of the SMA.