KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan yesterday expressed his hope for DiGi Telecommuni-cations Sdn Bhd (DiGi) to expand its Internet services throughout the state by end of 2010.
OFICIALLY LAUNCHED: (From right) Wee, Zulkarnain, Salang, Dr Chan and Dennelind pose for a photo session after the launching of DiGi’s Turbo 3G mobile Internet services yesterday.
He said aggressive efforts carried out by DiGi and other service providers were essential to help Sarawak to achieve its target of 50 per cent broadband penetration by this year.
Dr Chan pointed out that with such broadband penetration combining with quality internet services, it would create a competitive environment for the state in particular for business and investment.
“Information, communication and technology (ICT) is an important tool for us to be competitive and move forward in this globalisation era.
“The good internet services not only benefit our own people, but also investors. One of the criteria for the state to be a good investment location is fast broadband services,” he said this during the launching of DiGi Internet service in Kuching at tHe Spring here.
DiGi, which just launched its Internet services in Sarawak yesterday, is currently covering only Kuching. It is planning to expand its Internet services to Miri by the second half of this year.
The Internet services of the company are also available in the Klang Valley, Penang, Perak and Kota Kinabalu.
Also present at the launching were Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, DiGi chief executive officer Johan Dennelind and head of Sarawak DiGi Benny Wee.
Dr Chan, also the Tourism and Heritage Minister and Infrastructure Development Minister, said ICT had been increasingly embedded into the government’s day-to-day function.
He pointed out that the Sarawak e-government portal which had been operating since 1995 was playing an important role as a bridge to link the people and businesses with the state government.
“Today, we even have E-DUN (State Legislative Assembly). It is a web based electronic access system that allows the submission of questions and answers by members of DUN online. It further allows information regarding the assembly proceedings to be reviewed by Sarawakians online.
“This helps to ensure the transparency and accountability,” he said, adding that the e-government portal had grown into a comprehensive one stop resource that offers everything from e-recruitment to e-payment of bills.