Abang Johari announces Kedayan Data Centre to be set up in Bekenu

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(From third left) Abang Johari samples traditional Kedayan delicacies with Juma’ani, Rosey, Abdul Karim and Ripin.

MIRI: An RM900,000 Kedayan Data Centre will be set up in Bekenu to strengthen ties among members of the community statewide as well as in Sabah, Labuan and Brunei.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the centre would also collect data on the Kedayan community.

“The Kedayan Data Centre project is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2018 and completed within two years on a designated site. It will be a place for us to develop ourselves towards realising our mission in the world of digital economy.

“With this data centre, we would be able to know the economic success of the Kedayan community and sectors that we can further develop including tourism. With better and improved internet connectivity, it would also serve as a platform to foster good relationships among the Kedayan community statewide including those from Limbang, Lawas, Rambungan and Brunei and become a new tourism and cultural attraction here in Bekenu,” he said when officiating at a meet the people event in connection with Majlis Makan Tahun Perdana at Kampung Danau, Bekenu yesterday.

He said the centre would be equipped with information communication technology infrastructure to showcase products and services offered by the Kedayan community including village stay services, agricultural products and travel packages, to further improve the community’s socioeconomic status.

“I hope that this building would soon be another pride of the Kedayan community in preserving their cultural heritage from being extinct,” he added.

Abang Johari also announced an allocation of RM100,000 for the Sarawak Kedayan Association Education Fund.

“This provision is also intended to encourage our children to further engage in mathematics and science, in line with the ever-expanding digital technology development,” he said.

Abang Johari added the Majlis Makan Tahun Perdana will be included in the state’s tourism calendar from next year.

Among those present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus; Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil; Sibuti member of Parliament Datuk Ahmad Lai Bujang; and Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat.