{"id":27653,"date":"2025-07-28T13:25:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T05:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rakansarawak.com\/v3\/?p=27653"},"modified":"2025-07-30T13:33:31","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T05:33:31","slug":"youth-as-catalysts-of-digital-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rakansarawak.com\/v4\/2025\/07\/28\/youth-as-catalysts-of-digital-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"Youth as Catalysts of Digital Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2025, Sarawak is deepening its shift from a resource-dependent economy to one anchored in technology and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving this momentum are the state\u2019s youth – defined broadly by the Sarawak Youth Ordinance 2019 as those aged 15 to 40 – who play a dual role as both the target and architects of progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This broader age range reflects the realities of Sarawak\u2019s demography, ensuring digital advancement is inclusive, especially for those entering the workforce at a later stage in rural and underserved communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Youth Cohort<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The youth demographic in Sarawak is far from homogenous, encompassing everyone from teenagers in secondary school to small-scale entrepreneurs in their late thirties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some navigate social media and mobile technologies with ease, others are only now being introduced to digital skills through structured training initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognising this rich diversity is vital: progress must be inclusive of both the early adopters and the latecomers, especially those in remote areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laying the Foundations: Infrastructure and Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connectivity Gains, but Gaps Remains<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By mid-2025, Sarawak had installed more than 3,800 telecommunication towers, with roughly an additional 761 planned for completion by year-end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This infrastructure forms part of the state\u2019s broader ambition to reach 99.9% internet penetration by 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major investment, over RM1 billion, has gone into lifting rural broadband speeds from a sluggish 3\u20135\u202fMbps to about 30\u202fMbps, a vital step in empowering rural communities to participate in the digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital Skills in Transition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the end of 2024, close to 81,800 educators had undergone ICT training through state-led programmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, with only 1.76% reaching advanced competency and 25% remaining at the basic level, the system struggles to deliver effective digital learning across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This imbalance weakens the potential for digital skills to trickle down into classrooms and rural learning hubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, adult learners – especially those approaching the upper end of the youth age range – continue to face a shortage of tailored retraining opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Surface: Why the Gap Persists<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across Sarawak, several barriers continue to stand in the way of inclusive digital progress:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Connectivity remains unreliable in many remote areas, where access to digital devices is also limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Youths in the 30\u201340 age bracket are frequently overlooked, falling outside eligibility for both youth-focused financial aid and adult professional training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Development efforts are still heavily concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural communities with limited support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, a scarcity of qualified mentors and entrepreneurship networks limits support for digital start-ups and e-commerce ventures among young Sarawakians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Blueprint to Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognising the urgency, the state has taken action with a suite of targeted programmes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Digital Community Centres (DCCs) in rural districts provide locally tailored ICT training to enhance digital literacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Through a collaboration between SDEC and MDEC, the Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI) empowers MSMEs, including those led by young entrepreneurs, to embrace technologies like e-invoicing and cloud-based solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– The establishment of MBAN Sarawak has facilitated the training of more than 150 high-net-worth individuals to serve as start-up mentors and participate in angel investment activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Holistic Path Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To overcome the current challenges and fast-track digital access for youth between 15 and 40:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Scale up Digital Community Centres (DCCs) to ensure coverage across all state constituencies, with tailored learning tracks for youth in their 30s and 40s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Curriculum design must reflect the learner\u2019s stage; students could explore coding and app design, while older participants benefit from practical skills in digital marketing, fintech tools, and online business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Develop a mentorship framework that bridges youth with professionals in technology, entrepreneurship, and digital media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Implement a transparent monitoring system that tracks key impact indicators, including digital literacy rates, the number of rural startups, and income improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– To reach underserved areas, mobile ICT units should be deployed alongside culturally relevant and multilingual materials in Iban, Bidayuh, and Bahasa Sarawak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Successful implementation will depend on coordinated efforts involving the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, SDEC, the Education Department, MDEC, TEGAS, academic institutions, and community-based NGOs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Stakeholder Gains and Wider Community Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Youth acquire in-demand digital competencies, paving the way for entrepreneurship and long-term income generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Local communities thrive as skilled youth drive grassroots innovation and remain rooted in rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– MSMEs gain access to a digitally skilled workforce, boosting productivity and expanding market reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– The overall economy benefits through greater innovation, increased inclusivity, and stronger contributions to state GDP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarawak\u2019s youth – spanning ages 15 to 40 – are not merely users of digital technology, but active partners in driving the state\u2019s development agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With adequate infrastructure, skills development, mentorship, and inclusive policies, the digital transition can be both equitable and sustainable, led by those it aims to empower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Abg Jo: New blueprint to ensure Sarawak secures future as leading digital economy, society by 2030<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Abang Jo Stresses the Importance of Leveraging Digital Technologies for Economic Growth<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Data, Innovation-Driven Sarawak to Thrive by 2030, says Abg Johari<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Digital Initiatives to Contribute 20% to Sarawak\u2019s GDP in 2030 \u2013\u00a0Abang Johari<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Digitisation Still Priority of State Government, says Abang Johari<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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