KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah must set up its own multimedia authority to help propel the State into the future by developing and enhancing its digital economy.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the multimedia authority could act as a regulatory body like the Sarawak Multimedia Authority to smoothen the development and implementation of Sabah’s digital economy.
“Developing Sabah’s digital economy would see the State competing on a fairer ground as the economy is unlike the preceding industrial revolutions which required heavy investments both from the government and the private sector.
“Obviously, investments are needed to develop our digital economy. Sabah is severely lacking in this area. We cannot even ensure our people get a decent internet signals in many districts.
“This new body would help plan and execute the State’s strategy not only in developing our digital economy, but also to ensure all our people would benefit from it,” he said.
Jeffrey who is also the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) President said Sabah is already left behind when it comes to the industry, but he believed it is not yet too late for the government to venture into.
He reiterated his belief that Sabah has the potential to be the main hub for the region’s growing digital economy due to its strategic location.
An easier and faster option to immediately put Sabah on the map, he said would be for the State government, through the new multimedia authority, to engage with huge telecommunication companies such as Huawei to invest in Sabah by providing them opportunities to build their hub here.
“Our 5G and soon, 6G technology, would be able to serve more than 2 billion people within our time zone if we become the main internet hub.
“This means Sabah could easily attract multinational companies to set up their bases here. Our young people would have the opportunity to learn and work in this industry which would translate into a higher income,” he said.
Jeffrey said eventually, Sabah needs to move away from industries that had been so devastating to Sabah’s delicate environment such as unsustainable oil palm industry.
“We need to build a bright future for our children and their children’s children. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is our ticket to a more prosperous Sabah. But we need to act now. We have nothing to lose but everything to gain,” he concluded.-pr/BNN
