KUCHING: The Sarawak Big Data, a centralised database system, which the government plans to roll out in April 2018, will promote and enhance transparency on various levels.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the government’s data must be shared with the citizens.

“This Big Data is consolidated data … no need to go personally to agriculture, police, or what not but all integrated into one hub instead of in silo and people can access and retrieve all kinds of information,” he said.

“There on, you can use the data and add value to the data through individual’s innovativeness and creativity,” he added.

Abang Johari was addressing the Tegas Youth Forum, themed ‘Transforming Sarawak Through Digital Economy’ held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.

In this technology explosion era, Abang Johari said he realised that transparency is essential when information is obtainable and accessible everywhere.

“Our world revolves around social media, we access our handphone first thing in the morning even before we brush our teeth. Hence, you have to be transparent unless it is some very confidential information you must protect,” he continued.

“If you want to retain and protect information, you are ‘lokek’ (Bahasa Malaysia for being selfish). But as far as economy is concerned, opening up and sharing your data is the way forward,” he added.

On data security, he emphasised that Sarawak Multimedia Act (SMA), to be introduced in due time, is designed based on the needs of Sarawak, an authority to regulate the digital economy and ensure cyber security.

On plans to integrate with federal data, he did not dismiss the opportunity to work with the federal government to integrate both data in the future.

“But at the moment, we confine ourselves to our big data,” he added.

On Sarawak Pay, Abang Johari revealed that the state government has received the approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

“For a start, electronic payments can be made especially on services offered by the government like assessment rates. This is one step forward,” he said.

“We will have own apps and payment can be made through one portal-Sarawak Pay,” he added.

The Tegas Youth Forum is a series of forums organised across the state to gather input from youths as well as a platform to update the youth on the latest agenda in Sarawak.

This year’s forum, where thousands of young people have converged, focused on developing youth for the digital economy and the 4.0 Industrial Revolution.

The forum aims to promote creativity and innovation as well as update youths on the current information or policies regarding the state’s transformation agenda, especially the digital economy.

Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh and Assistant Minister of Youth and Sport Datuk Snowdan Lawan were among those present.