State’s pioneering ICT devt comes of age

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WHEN communication theorist, Marshal McLuhan, predicted the worldwide web, the emergence of a global village and even coined the term ‘surfing’ in the 60s, computers were neither handy nor portable but mere mainframes occupying whole rooms and using punch-card systems.

POOL OF TALENT: SAINS has developed and cultivated its own domestic pool of ICT professionals.

With the evolution of computer hardware from mainframes to minis throughout the 70’s and 80’s and the concurrent emergence of the personal computer, technology was swiftly and surely moving closer to McLuhan’s vision.

Yet, with the best global foresight at the time, the public would not have expected the personal computer to become the household staple it is today.

While that was happening on the world stage, in Sarawak, the State Computer Committee, established in 1985, realised its computerisation programme could be better managed and decided to do something about it. So, in April 1991, SAINS was created to spearhead the development and implementation of ‘computerisation’ within the Sarawak state government to better integrate and utilise its resources. In the long run, SAINS vision was to leverage IT as a core component in enabling Sarawak socio-economic development. From that beginning almost 20 years ago, the company has reportedly created over 200 different original ICT software solutions deployed throughout all state government agencies and beyond.

In conjunction with its software solutions, the company provides a comprehensive range of ICT training courses as well as conducts international exams for local ICT professionals.

SAINS also builds and operates the SarawakNet, the largest state government Intranet in Malaysia, as well as manages its own international standard data centres.

While its founding CEO, the recently decorated Dato Teo Tien Hiong, credits SAINS success to collective efforts of his staff, it is obvious the company’s momentum is propelled by intense focus of his dynamic personality.

Q: What was the perception of IT in Sarawak when SAINS was first formed?
A: SAINS was established before we could predict the huge role ICT would play in our state administration or personal lives. Back in the 1980s, the term ‘ICT’ or ‘IT’ didn’t even exist; we called it ‘computerisation’ back then. But I really have to commend the visionary leadership that led to the formation of SAINS in 1991 to Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan.

Q: Since computerisation was such a new concept then, how did the state agencies know what to expect from this new technology?
A: When we started, we didn’t have enough resources, and looking back, I think most of the state agencies didn’t quite know what they really wanted. All they knew was they wanted to be ‘computerised’ and yet the existing computerised systems were messy, not integrated and disorganised.

To solve this problem quickly, the State Computer Committee, of which I was a member representing the State Planning Unit, decided to take  a unique corporate approach and form an independent body to holistically address their software needs. That was how SAINS (then called Sarawak Computerisation Services Sdn Bhd) was born.

Q: How did SAINS define its vision?
A: When the task of spearheading SAINS was given to me in 1991, I quickly outlined my mission for implementing sustainable ICT utilisation in the state civil service and a broad long-term strategy for SAINS as a corporate entity. I presented a two-page sketch on my twin pronged conceptualisation to the chairman (Dr George Chan) and the MD (Tan Sri Hamid Bugo) before I accepted the challenge of the job. I figured if we couldn’t agree on the basics, then it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for me to address the challenges.

Looking back, I was happy I did that. In the end, I can truthfully say whatever SAINS’ current successes, a very large part of the credit must go to my chairman and my first MD. I have always been very hands-on in my management style and immediately thereafter, we hit the ground running, so to speak. The first year of its inception was spent mostly on sorting out corporate and operational matters while I was still working with the State Planning Unit.

Q: What were some of SAINS’ biggest challenges?
A: At the time, our biggest challenge was resources and proving to the target customers we could deliver. We didn’t have enough people, skills or time. What I did then was to prioritise my to-do list and put our total resources for the time being on supporting the state civil service, as the need for computerisation was growing fast.  One of the first challenges then was office automation. In those days, there were all sorts of office automation programmes incompatible with one another. We had to quickly standardise the office desktop applications, set up a reliable help desk service and at the same time, look into building customised software for various agencies. It was firefighting all the way. Since then, we have come a long way.

In the process, SAINS has propelled Sarawak to become the most ICT-enabled state in Malaysia. It also won for Sarawak the highest rating of “five star” government portals and websites in Malaysia for 2007, 2008 and 2010.  Among some of the most popular SAINS e-government solutions used in the Sarawak state public service are the internationally acclaimed Land and Survey Information System or LASIS, the State Integrated Financial, Budgeting and Accounting System or SIFBAS, the Angkasa Library System and “Paybillsmalaysia.com.my”, the state government’s very own electronic Payment Gateway.

SAINS’ big breakthrough in peninsular Malaysia came in 1997 when we sold a number of software solutions to other state governments.  One of these solutions was subsequently redeveloped into the eSyariah System implemented nationwide in over 100 locations and won the PM’s ICT Quality Award in 2007. Another nationwide implementation of over 100 locations was the eWelfare System project in 2008.

Apart from winning the World Summit Award, my greatest satisfaction is to see the implementation of the Integrated Court System over 88 courts in Sabah and Sarawak — a combined territory of over 60 per cent the area of Malaysia with difficult terrain and poor infrastructure — in less than half a year.

We were awarded the project in July 2010 and completed it just before Christmas for a group of very happy customers. Many people thought we would not be able to do it but with good planning, hard work and determination, we did it. I think this truly demonstrates Sarawak’s pioneering ICT development has come of age. Apart from winning the World Award, an earlier version of this application had also won the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Award in the Best of e-Government and Services category in 2008.

Q: As SAINS will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in April this year, what do you think is its greatest contribution to the state over the last two decades?
A: If I look at the big picture, the answer has to be the creation of a lasting critical mass of ICT skills in the state. Before SAINS was established, the ICT job market in Sarawak was grim to non-existent. SAINS, with its subsidiaries as a group, has been the training ground for a permanent pool of over 1,000 highly skilled professionals in various ICT disciplines over the last 20 years. Many of these people are now working with various organisations and institutions in the state. From the perspective of the government, corporate and even personal ICT users, in the old days, they would have to look for help beyond Sarawak’s shores when confronted with even relatively minor problems.

Today, the state is well-positioned to supply its own ICT needs, and supply creates and sustains further demand. In a nutshell, SAINS’ presence has permanently altered the dynamics of computing in Sarawak. It has raised and transformed the state from being merely an ICT user to an ICT producer. Such a technology transformation is pretty much a pre-requisite for further sustainable educational, social and economic modernisation. This has to be the foundation if we want to talk about a collective future with knowledge workers and high income economy.

Q: What other potential projects are on the cards for SAINS?
A: As the corridors of development in Malaysia are now at various stages of planning and implementation, I see these as very exciting prospects. We are definitely very keen to seek a meaningful role to meet some of the ICT needs of these mega development initiatives.

In particular, we would be very eager to participate in fulfilling some of the ICT needs of major foreign investors in SCORE.

In fact, SAINS group has been quite often approached by foreign parties to provide ICT solutions but we have generally chosen to be prudent and cautious.

However, we will continue to independently reach out to potential foreign markets through both local and foreign partnerships. Our products are now represented in a number of Asean countries as well as  New Zealand and Australia. We are also exploring opportunities in mainland Asia, Middle East, Africa and some countries in Oceania.

Q: What are some of SAINS, corporate social responsibility projects to date?
A: Unlike the brick and mortar industry, ICT has the inherent advantage of giving and sharing valuable virtual solutions at relatively low cost.

SAINS, for one, has been very active in promoting CSR initiatives, and I would like to encourage other ICT players to do likewise. There are many CSR initiatives now being promoted and supported by SAINS. A major one is The Rural ICT Guided Home-based Technopreneur or “RIGHT” programme. I have personally been leading this initiative since 2005, aimed at bridging urban-rural digital divide by providing a six-month theory and practical training for rural youths.

Right graduates can then choose to set up ICT service centres in their own communities as anchor technopreneur with further assistance from SAINS.

Q: Tell us about SAINS’ most recent international accolade — the UN World Summit Award?
A: Competing in a crowded field of over 24,000 of the world’s best ICT systems from 157 countries in 2009, Sarawak’s very own ICT company, Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), won one of the UN World Summit Awards for the Best e-Content Applications in the e-Government and Institutions category with its home grown Integrated Court System (ICS).

This is no ordinary accomplishment as there were over 545 selected entries to be judged by a grand jury of eminent multi-media and e-content experts from 34 countries. The grand jury selected the five most outstanding products in each of the eight WSA categories as winners.  This is the first time any company or country in Southeast Asia has won this most distinguished ICT recognition in the world.

Q: What did it take for SAINS to become the award-winning ICT firm it is today?
A: It’s all about consistency in doing our best. Our specific aim is not about winning awards but treating customers with respect and commitment to deliver top-notch products and services to them. Award winning is between you and the rest of the world. You can only do your best and let the world judge. No matter how technologically advanced SAINS is, our success has to be always about engaging with our customers.

When it comes to designing and architecting an ICT system, you have to be innovative and a very clear target audience in your mind. We must get creative and innovative to help customers solve their problems, and be prepared to take them through the stages.