KUCHING (Aug 2): The Sarawak government has established a new task force known as the Space Industry and Satellite Committee (Siscom) as part of its commitment to advancing the space industry and satellite technology.
Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the committee will be responsible for developing a comprehensive policy framework and establishing governance structures, among other tasks.
“Our aim is to create a robust ecosystem that supports the growth and application of satellite technology across various sectors, with the aspiration of owning and managing our own satellite technology assets one day.
“This is the dream we have in mind, and hopefully, it will materialise,” he told a press conference after attending a satellite technology briefing by Measat here today.
Julaihi, who also chairs the task force, emphasised the importance of having thorough knowledge of the field.
“This knowledge is crucial for us to make well-informed strategic decisions regarding its planning and implementation.
“We must study the details, the technologies, and so forth if we are to explore the space industry and satellite technology in the near future, with the hope that one day we will own our own assets,” he said.
He noted that the deployment of satellite technology has the potential to spur economic growth and development in Sarawak.
“Sarawak is vast, with many areas yet to be fully connected, so this is one of the measures we have.
“With the right infrastructure and technology, Sarawak will be able to achieve developed state status by the year 2030, in line with our PCDS (Post Covid-19 Development Strategy) 2030 and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030. These are among the technologies we are exploring right now,” he said.
On the committee’s members, Julaihi said the task force includes all relevant agencies, with the secretariat handled by the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and coordination by the ministry.
“At the same time, we are inviting relevant committee members, including those with existing technology expertise in Malaysia. That’s why we are inviting Measat to be part of our committee.
“This is just the beginning, as we aim to explore more possibilities,” he said.
Among those present were Utility and Telecommunication deputy ministers Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Datuk Liwan Lagang, Measat chief operating officer Yau Chyong Lim, and SMA general manager Datuk Dr Anderson Tiong.