Sarawak plans to establish its own Multimedia Authority to regulate the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and Digital Technology Utilisation in the state.

Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said this, however, does not mean that it would compete with the federal authority, but merely a manifestation that the state must have its share to develop digital economy within its ecosystem.

"Of course I have to bring this matter to the (attention of the) state legislative assembly. Maybe not in the coming sitting, maybe the next, because we need to establish this governing body," he said.

The Multimedia Authority is one of the action plans, derived from the eight key resolutions concluded at the end of the two-day International ICT Infrastructure and Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2017.

Speaking at the closing of the conference at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today, Abang Johari said the conference had provided aspirations to the state government on what needs to be done next.

The conference featured 19 established speakers who are experts in the field of digital economy, apart from over 30 exhibitors who are either experts or actively engaged in utilising digital technologies; and attended by over 1,500 delegates including senior civil servants, business leaders, think tanks, young entrepreneurs, and university students among others.

Apart from the establishment of a Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) which topped the list of key resolutions, Abang Johari said the list also pointed out the need to establish a specific body designated to coordinate the digital economy initiatives in the state.

He said with that, the state government was committed to set up the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation to coordinate all Digital Economy Initiatives in the field of infrastructure, e-government, Talent Development, e-commerce and Cyber Security.

The government is also committed to undertake the resolution's idea to develop ICT infrastructure for speed and connectivity, the establishment of a Digital Village, and the promotion of e-Learning from young, he said.

Abang Johari said the state government would also set up a Laboratory and Workshop to work on the implementation of all the resolutions within the next six months.

- Bernama