In 2025, Sarawak is deepening its shift from a resource-dependent economy to one anchored in technology and innovation.
Driving this momentum are the state’s 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.
This broader age range reflects the realities of Sarawak’s demography, ensuring digital advancement is inclusive, especially for those entering the workforce at a later stage in rural and underserved communities.
The Youth Cohort
The youth demographic in Sarawak is far from homogenous, encompassing everyone from teenagers in secondary school to small-scale entrepreneurs in their late thirties.
While some navigate social media and mobile technologies with ease, others are only now being introduced to digital skills through structured training initiatives.
Recognising this rich diversity is vital: progress must be inclusive of both the early adopters and the latecomers, especially those in remote areas.
Laying the Foundations: Infrastructure and Skills
Connectivity Gains, but Gaps Remains
By mid-2025, Sarawak had installed more than 3,800 telecommunication towers, with roughly an additional 761 planned for completion by year-end.
This infrastructure forms part of the state’s broader ambition to reach 99.9% internet penetration by 2030.
A major investment, over RM1 billion, has gone into lifting rural broadband speeds from a sluggish 3–5 Mbps to about 30 Mbps, a vital step in empowering rural communities to participate in the digital economy.
Digital Skills in Transition
By the end of 2024, close to 81,800 educators had undergone ICT training through state-led programmes.
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.
This imbalance weakens the potential for digital skills to trickle down into classrooms and rural learning hubs.
Meanwhile, adult learners – especially those approaching the upper end of the youth age range – continue to face a shortage of tailored retraining opportunities.
Challenges Surface: Why the Gap Persists
Across Sarawak, several barriers continue to stand in the way of inclusive digital progress:
– Connectivity remains unreliable in many remote areas, where access to digital devices is also limited.
– Youths in the 30–40 age bracket are frequently overlooked, falling outside eligibility for both youth-focused financial aid and adult professional training.
– Development efforts are still heavily concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural communities with limited support.
Additionally, a scarcity of qualified mentors and entrepreneurship networks limits support for digital start-ups and e-commerce ventures among young Sarawakians.
From Blueprint to Action
Recognising the urgency, the state has taken action with a suite of targeted programmes:
– Digital Community Centres (DCCs) in rural districts provide locally tailored ICT training to enhance digital literacy.
– 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.
– 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.
A Holistic Path Forward
To overcome the current challenges and fast-track digital access for youth between 15 and 40:
– Scale up Digital Community Centres (DCCs) to ensure coverage across all state constituencies, with tailored learning tracks for youth in their 30s and 40s.
– Curriculum design must reflect the learner’s stage; students could explore coding and app design, while older participants benefit from practical skills in digital marketing, fintech tools, and online business.
– Develop a mentorship framework that bridges youth with professionals in technology, entrepreneurship, and digital media.
– Implement a transparent monitoring system that tracks key impact indicators, including digital literacy rates, the number of rural startups, and income improvements.
– To reach underserved areas, mobile ICT units should be deployed alongside culturally relevant and multilingual materials in Iban, Bidayuh, and Bahasa Sarawak.
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.
Key Stakeholder Gains and Wider Community Impact
– Youth acquire in-demand digital competencies, paving the way for entrepreneurship and long-term income generation.
– Local communities thrive as skilled youth drive grassroots innovation and remain rooted in rural areas.
– MSMEs gain access to a digitally skilled workforce, boosting productivity and expanding market reach.
– The overall economy benefits through greater innovation, increased inclusivity, and stronger contributions to state GDP.
Conclusion
Sarawak’s youth – spanning ages 15 to 40 – are not merely users of digital technology, but active partners in driving the state’s development agenda.
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.
References:
- Abg Jo: New blueprint to ensure Sarawak secures future as leading digital economy, society by 2030
- Abang Jo Stresses the Importance of Leveraging Digital Technologies for Economic Growth
- Data, Innovation-Driven Sarawak to Thrive by 2030, says Abg Johari
- Digital Initiatives to Contribute 20% to Sarawak’s GDP in 2030 – Abang Johari
- Digitisation Still Priority of State Government, says Abang Johari
