As Sarawak accelerates its smart city transformation and carbon reduction efforts, digital safety has become a central pillar. By fusing cybersecurity with low-carbon development, the state strengthens trust and resilience in its green digital future.
CyberSarawak and Digital Awareness
In response to growing cyber risks, the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) introduced CyberSarawak in 2024 to fortify digital trust through education, incident handling, and secure infrastructure. The initiative promotes three core themes: “Stay Safe, Stay Smart, Stay Secure.”
Workshops across the state aim to raise awareness, especially among youth and small businesses. These efforts accompany a statewide rollout of cybersecurity advisory teams offering support on compliance, threat detection, and system recovery—critical in protecting smart transport, utilities, and data platforms.
| Metric | Value |
| 4G Coverage (2023) | 61.6% |
| Targeted 5G Sites by 2024 | 587 |
| Renewable Energy Share | 70% from hydropower |
| Green Hydrogen Production Goal | 240,000 t/year by 2028 |
| IDECS 2024 Carbon Footprint | 337,495 kg CO₂e |
| Tree-Planting Campaign | 35 million trees by 2025 |
Table 1: Key indicators of Sarawak’s digital expansion and carbon-conscious development, tracking connectivity improvements, renewable energy growth, and emissions goals.
Digital Infrastructure Supports Sustainability
As part of its digital leap, Sarawak is closing internet gaps across regions. The construction of 7,000 telecommunications towers is underway to improve connectivity, with 587 5G sites targeted for activation by 2024. This infrastructure is the backbone of low-carbon smart initiatives, from electric public transport to climate monitoring systems.
Sustainability Blueprint and Green Policy Moves
Sarawak became Malaysia’s first state to enact a carbon emission control law in 2023, legally binding its net-zero ambitions. Its Sustainability Blueprint 2030 outlines 10 focus areas—such as sustainable mobility, digital governance, and renewable energy—and over 100 action items to guide implementation.
Among its achievements:
- Hydropower now makes up 70% of the state’s electricity supply.
- Urban greening campaigns aim to plant 35 million trees by 2025.
- The state hosted IDECS 2024, a climate-accountable tech summit that tracked and offset 337,495 kg CO₂e emissions.
Green Tech Innovation Across Sectors
Sarawak leverages digital innovation to drive environmental change:
- In Miri, smart-city infrastructure includes solar lighting, smart drains, and data command centers.
- Hydrogen projects—like Rembus, H2biscus, and H2ornbill—are on track to collectively produce 240,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2028.
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and carbon-capturing algae biogas projects reflect growing investments in clean energy.
The Net-Zero Centre of Excellence, launched in 2025 by Univers and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, uses AI to help both public and private sectors reduce emissions, optimize power usage, and enhance sustainability reporting.
Cybersecurity as a Sustainability Enabler
In this increasingly connected environment, ensuring cybersecurity is essential. CyberSarawak helps secure digital systems that power energy grids, public transport, and climate tech, using methods such as:
- Real-time cyber incident monitoring
- IoT security frameworks
- Certification and training for government and vendor staff
These protections are crucial in preventing disruptions or data breaches that could derail green efforts.
Challenges and Opportunities
Key issues include limited cybersecurity professionals and digital literacy disparities, particularly in rural areas. To tackle this, Sarawak is developing cyber education modules in schools and plans to train 10,000 cybersecurity talents by 2030.
Economic projections indicate that the digital economy will contribute 20% to Sarawak’s GDP by 2030, underscoring the importance of securing its foundation. Cybersecurity thus becomes a strategic enabler—not only for digital adoption but also for meeting environmental goals.
By embedding cybersecurity into its sustainable urban agenda, Sarawak demonstrates a forward-thinking model of development. The state’s efforts highlight that in a digital age, environmental progress must go hand in hand with strong digital trust and protection.
References
- https://www.theborneopost.com/2024/10/16/sarawak-strengthens-digital-security-with-cybersarawak-ai-governance-guidelines/
- https://dayakdaily.com/sma-to-launch-cybersarawak-to-strengthen-states-cybersecurity-drive-digital-innovation/
- https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2023/10/05/sarawaks-ambitious-digital-plans-gain-momentum
- https://www.reccessary.com/en/news/sarawak-leads-with-first-local-based-sustainability-plan
- https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/sustainability-matters/univers-and-sdec-establish-net-zero-centre-excellence-sarawak
- https://www.sarawaksmart.com/v2/powering-progress-innovation-in-renewable-energy-through-digital-transformation-in-sarawak/
- https://www.enterpriseitnews.com.my/sarawaks-digitalisation-a-foundation-of-cybersecurity-and-resilient-infrastructure/
- https://www.sarawaktribune.com/miri-marks-20-years-as-a-city-with-vision-for-a-green-smart-and-liveable-future/
- https://www.sarawaktribune.com/idecs25-to-set-new-standard-in-climate-accountability/
- https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/idecs-2024-concludes-initiatives-drive-sarawaks-sustainable-digital-future
- https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2396387
- https://premier.sarawak.gov.my/web/subpage/news_view/5683
