Sovereign data platform to accelerate Sarawak’s development

Premier Abang Johari Openg announced Sarawak's plan to deploy six interconnected satellites by 2030 to continuously gather data for various development purposes. Speaking at the launch of the Sarawak Sovereign AI Infrastructure Platform, Openg highlighted the sovereign data concept, which involves storing and managing government data through the state's own infrastructure before utilizing it for planning, smart city development, and project implementation.

The platform will consolidate diverse data sources to aid in smart city planning, covering residential areas, business districts, road networks, connectivity, and public transport. This centralized data repository will facilitate faster project development and enable the discovery of solutions based on collected information. Openg emphasized that not all data could be shared due to the distinction between strategic data that can be accessed and security-related data requiring protection.

Investors interested in joint ventures with Sarawak may obtain specific data, such as location and land area, through the platform before submitting applications to the government. To bolster its data acquisition capabilities, Sarawak aims to develop its own satellite constellation by 2030. This constellation, comprising at least six interconnected satellites, will enable the state to obtain data almost continuously, 24 hours a day, Openg stated.