RM32.31 Million to Enhance Sabah’s Digitalisation

The State Government continues to intensify its digitalisation initiative including expanding connectivity in rural areas and strengthening digital capabilities. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said that the government has allocated RM32.31 million for operating and development expenditure for digitisation for 2026. From this allocation, RM9.59 million is budgeted to enhance the delivery of government services based on information and communication technology (ICT), covering the provision of computers and ICT networks to state government agencies, data centre management, strengthening cybersecurity, and the development of government application systems.

“The State Government continues to place digitalisation as a core pillar of growth. Digital connectivity is crucial to achieve our goals in the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap which has been expanded to address increasingly complex global challenges, including those driven by artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy and cross-border trade,” Hajiji said at the launch of Celcom Timur (Sabah) Sdn Bhd's new corporate identity on 7 April 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu.

“Strategic collaboration between the State Government and industry players such as Celcom Timur (Sabah) Sdn Bhd is crucial in bridging the digital divide and accelerating the development of the state’s digital ecosystem.” Celcom Timur Sabah has developed 12,000 kilometres of fibre optic network in Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan. The company is one of the main fibre optic network providers in Sabah and it is a key player in the implementation of various national initiatives such as JENDELA, Point of Presence (POP2), and the 5G network. The company’s corporate identity transformation reflects its readiness to move forward as an infrastructure provider and strategic partner in shaping Sabah’s digital future, Hajiji added.

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, delivered the CM’s speech.