SIBU, 5 OCTOBER 2022 – The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the Premier of Sarawak has launched Sibu Digital Innovation Hub (Sibu DIH) at Kampung Nangka today.
SDIH is part of a network of infrastructure under the Sarawak Digital Ecosystem and is one of the Digital Innovation Hubs established pursuant to Action 37 under the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy (2018 – 2022). SDIH like other DIH serves as a platform for Sarawakians startups, innovators and entrepreneurs to gather, generate and share ideas via affordable coworking spaces and is equipped with basic facilities, various entrepreneur development programmes, funding, investment and market access opportunities.
“The launching shows our commitment towards developing digital talents and promoting digital innovation and entrepreneurship in Sarawak. Our aim is to support and empower early-stage startups and to build strong entrepreneurship ecosystem. Most importantly, distinction startups will have the opportunity to be offered to join the Digital Village Accelerator Program by SDEC”, said YAB Premier Sarawak.
Some of the digital, innovation and startups development programs offered in Sibu ranges from coding and apps development, digital marketing series, photography and videography masterclasses, smart agriculture and drone technology. Programmes that target business development such as ideation, bootcamps and pitching series are also offered. Besides that, SDIH aims to also connect startups with established industry players and facilitate collaborations that foster the growth of the startups beyond Sibu, while at the same time explore opportunities for the industry to create presence in the city, positively impacting the local economy.
SDEC also launched SDeCLOUD, Sarawak’s first public cloud service focusing on data sovereignty where data is kept within Sarawak. To accelerate Cloud adoption amongst the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and support the needs and requirements of our local university researchers, SDeCLOUD offers packages starting as low as RM10/month making it is easily one of the most affordable ways for any organisation to take their first step into the digital world.
The launching of the Hub coincides with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange between Huawei Malaysia and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC) which aims to support the technology startups in Sarawak via SPARK accelerator programme.
At the same time, another MoU took place between Caliphs Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and University Technology Sarawak (UTS), aims to develop cooperation in academic programmes, public research, public training, upskilling, community engagement and public-private joint initiative programmes. Apart from that, UTS and Caliphs also collaborate to develop and execute state initiatives in support of digitalisation, entrepreneurship and technology advancement for the benefits of local community.
Among those who attended during the launching were, Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, State Secretary, Yang Berhormat Dr. Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development I, Mr. Sudarnoto Osman, Chief Executive Officer, SDEC and Ts. Dr. Zaidi Bin Razak, General Manager of Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Tuan Wong Hee Sieng, Sibu Resident and Puan Malseni Binti Jamal, Chief Operating Officer, SDEC.