SMA Brings Digital Connectivity, Opportunities To Remote Long Busang Community

KAPIT, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Digital Programme organised by the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) in Long Busang, a remote settlement in the state, has opened a new chapter in the digital transformation of the Kenyah Badeng community in the Bukit Mabong district.

The two-day programme, held from July 9, attracted more than 200 residents of all ages and represents the latest effort by SMA to build on its initiatives since introducing telecommunications infrastructure to the area in 2019 - a move that has since reshaped the digital landscape of this once-marginalised community.

The programme was made possible through the collaboration of various agencies, including the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), Sarawak Public Service Digitisation Unit (SCSDU), SiliconNet Technologies Sdn. Bhd (SNT), the State Library,  Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Skills and a smart agriculturel entrepreneur, Cooplay Nyipa Aji.

SMA General Manager Datuk Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng said the agency hoped the telecommunications network would serve not merely as a platform for social media but as a catalyst for the community’s active participation in the digital economy. 

"This programme is designed to empower the community with digital knowledge and skills, encourage community participation in the digital economy and promote the Sarawak government's digital applications and services," he said at the closing of the programme last Thursday (July 10).

The text of Tiong’s speech was read out by his deputy, Dr Suhaila Jaafar.

Tiong said the presence of SMA, along with other participating agencies, was not merely to introduce new ideas and technologies, but also to engage with the Long Busang community and better understand their needs and potential.

“This is crucial to ensure that every digital initiative we implement is truly beneficial and tailored to local needs,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Suhaila told reporters that the programme also served as a platform to assess the progress of the community in Long Busang since the 4G and Wi-Fi services were launched by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in  2019.

She said the state government is working towards establishing a fully digital public service ecosystem by 2030, and the people need to move in tandem with this aspiration.

“This is not about a one-off Touch and Go effort with no continuity. In facing this challenge, we want to ensure that every programme we introduce or implement is sustainable and has a lasting impact,” she said.

One of the participants, Kelen Belarek, 51, said the programme had opened up valuable opportunities for Long Busang residents, especially the young generation, to prepare for the digital era.

Kelen, who previously used computers and smartphones for communication purposes and browsing social media before, said the programme provided him with new knowledge on how to utilise digital tools to improve his standard of living.

“Now, I can complete tasks faster and stay connected with friends and family even though they are far away, and learn a lot of new things online,” he said, adding that he hoped such programmes would continue to strengthen digital skills and further develop the community’s potential.

For Kasim Tega, 50, the programme has successfully equipped the Long Busang community with essential digital knowledge and skills while bringing in various agencies to explain the facilities, services, and assistance provided by the Sarawak government. 

Following the exposure to topics such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and the use of drones in agriculture during the programme, Kasim expressed hope that residents of the remote settlement would be given opportunities for follow-up training, particularly in product marketing techniques to help them tap into wider markets.

“The biggest challenge we face is marketing our products. Where can we sell them? Marketing is important. Hopefully, there are parties out there interested in buying our products,” he said.

A total of 36 personnel from Sarawak government agencies and four media practitioners from Kuching also took part in the Digital Programme to Long Busang, which involved a flight from Kuching to Sibu, followed by a 374-kilometre journey along a logging road in four-wheel drive vehicles.

The SMA Digital Programme in Long Busang represents not just a technological transformation but an important step towards ensuring that no community is left behind in the state’s digital development journey.

-- BERNAMA