Kota Kinabalu: The Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) has pledged to work closely with the Sabah Regional Office of the Ministry of Digital (KD Sabah) to help local small and medium enterprises embrace digital transformation.
KKCCCI President Datuk Michael Lui Yen Sang hosted KD Sabah Director Terry Henry and his delegation at Wisma KKCCCI recently for discussions on potential collaboration strategies to support business digitalisation efforts across the State.
The newly-established KD Sabah, formed this year to accelerate Malaysia’s national digitalisation agenda in Sabah, outlined its key mission areas during the meeting.
These include developing Sabah’s digital ecosystem, enhancing federal digital initiatives, fostering strategic partnerships, cultivating digital talent and addressing local digital development needs.
Terry said that KD Sabah operates through three specialised sections, namely focusing on commerce and human resources to help businesses adopt digital technologies, working with communities and educational institutions to promote digital literacy and collaborating with government agencies to improve public service delivery through digitalisation.
Both organisations identified challenges hindering Sabah’s digital transformation.
Poor internet infrastructure remains a major obstacle, with slow speeds, limited coverage and high costs affecting even urban areas.
They noted that inadequate telecommunications infrastructure continues to bottleneck the State’s digital progress.
“We urge the government to accelerate high-speed broadband deployment across suburban and rural areas by fast-tracking telecommunication tower construction,” said Michael, noting the need for wider and more affordable internet access to improve Sabahans’ quality of life.
The meeting also addressed concerns about digital talent shortages and limited platforms for locals to demonstrate their capabilities.
Michael called on the State Government to develop supportive policies for young digital entrepreneurs, including start-up capital assistance, ready-to-use facilities and business-friendly regulatory frameworks to retain local talent.
The KKCCCI delegation included Vice President Andy Lim Chen Kwong, Secretary General Yee That Hian, Tourism and Technology Director Chung Sin Ping, Acting Executive Secretary Yohanes Imo Chong and Assistant Executive Secretary Lee Yi Chen.
KD Sabah was represented by Deputy Directors Clare William Sorimpok and Mohd Saiful Bahari Ag Abd Rahman as well as Assistant Directors Tee Han Ming and Mohd Hazmie Halim.
