Suhaila (eight left) joins the dignitaries and media practitioners in a stage photo-call after the presentation of mementoes.
KUCHING (Aug 7): The Ninth International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) will be held this Oct 5 and 6 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) under the theme ‘Scaling Innovation Ecosystems for a Borderless Economy: Earth, Orbit and Beyond’.
Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) deputy general manager Dr Suhaila Jaffar said the Digital Economy Awards (DEA) 2026 would also be held in conjunction with the conference, with the presentation to take place during the IDECS 2026 gala dinner.
“The awards aim to identify and recognise organisations and individuals who demonstrate outstanding strategies and initiatives in driving transformation, sustainability and inclusive growth, significantly contributing to the advancement of Sarawak’s Digital Economy Agenda,” she said this during the SMA Media Appreciation Night 2026 at Imperial Hotel here on Thursday.
Suhaila said seven award categories would be contested: Digital Technology Award, Research and Development Award, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovations Award, Digital Government Award, Digital Creative Industry Award, Environmental Sustainability Award, and Smart Solution Award.
Each category winner will receive RM10,000, while the overall winner will take home the Premier Award and also RM20,000.
Participation is open to eligible individuals and organisations, with submission of entries open until Sept 6.
“We firmly believe that the participation will contribute to and strengthen the Sarawak Digital Transformation Agenda, and we eagerly anticipate receiving your applications for DEA 2026,” said Suhaila.
Earlier in her speech, Dr Suhaila said the rapid growth of AI had changed how information was created and consumed, but stressed that it could not replace the role of professional journalists.
“AI may generate content within seconds, but it cannot build trust, exercise editorial judgement, or understand the sensitivities of the communities that we serve.
“Journalism is not simply about speed; it is about responsibility, credibility and accountability,” she pointed out.
Suhaila added that as long as media practitioners continued to uphold professionalism, ethics and integrity in their reporting, AI could serve as a tool to support their work rather than replace them.
She also highlighted Sarawak’s continuing digital infrastructure expansion, with internet and 4G coverage in populated areas reaching 94.5 per cent as of the second quarter of 2026.
During the same period, she said 576 5G sites operated by Digital Nasional Berhad were in operation throughout Sarawak.