S’wak internet coverage soars to 94.5 pct from 54.3 pct in 2022 under RM2.3 bil State initiative

File photo for illustration purposes only. Source: 9comeback/Getty Images via Canva

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 13: Internet coverage across Sarawak has surged to 94.5 per cent from 54.3 per cent in 2022, marking a major milestone in the state’s digital transformation agenda driven by a RM2.3 billion telecommunications infrastructure investment under the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural, and Nation (Saluran) initiative.

Speaking at the Sacofa Client Networking Hi-Tea 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (June 12), Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said that the achievement was made possible through the state’s SALURAN initiative, which complements federal efforts to expand connectivity throughout the state.

“These achievements would not have been possible without strong collaboration among government agencies, regulators, telecommunication service providers, infrastructure partners, technology companies, and industry stakeholders,” he said, as reported by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

Julaihi, who is also Sacofa Sdn Bhd chairman, added that digital connectivity has been positioned as a key enabler under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030.

He said the SMART Project, a cornerstone of the Saluran initiative, involves the construction of 618 telecommunications towers, including 17 relay towers, in rural and remote areas across Sarawak.

The project complements the federal government’s National Digital Network (Jendela) programme, under which 636 towers have been completed under Phase 1, while another 337 sites have been identified for Phase 2 beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

Julaihi said Saluran also includes service-based initiatives such as the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN), which now connects almost 50,000 households through fixed wireless broadband and fibre services.

In addition, WiFi Saluran has provided interim satellite internet access at approximately 250 rural locations while permanent telecommunications infrastructure is being developed.

He said Sacofa will continue strengthening its role as the backbone of Sarawak’s digital infrastructure ecosystem, supported by its network of approximately 12,000km of fibre optic infrastructure and management of 1,680 telecommunications towers statewide.

“Sarawak, through Sacofa, will continue to expand fibre optic infrastructure, enhance internet speed and improve connectivity coverage, particularly in rural and underserved areas,” he said.

Julaihi added that the State is also broadening its technological ambitions beyond telecommunications, including plans to develop aerospace and satellite-related capabilities through the establishment of a dedicated space agency and the Sarawak Aerospace Advisory Council. — DayakDaily