KOTA KINABALU – Recent data from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) 4Q 2024 reveals Sabah maintains the second-lowest 4G coverage in Malaysia, with many rural areas suffering from weak or nonexistent digital connectivity.
Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (PKAN) Secretary-General Trevor Maringking warns this infrastructure gap is accelerating brain drain, as Sabah's youth pursue education and careers in software engineering, data science, creative media, and AI – sectors the state remains unprepared to support.
"This isn't merely a technical failure, but a governance failure," Maringking stated, urging the Sabah government to exercise its MA63 rights to build a digitally empowered, economically competitive region akin to Sarawak's progress.
PKAN proposes immediate establishment of a Sabah Digital and Multimedia Authority (SDMA) with five core mandates:
Infrastructure Development
- Plan, coordinate and monitor digital infrastructure rollout, prioritizing underserved and interior regions
Digital Economy Roadmap
- Implement a Sabah Digital Action Plan integrating government services, education, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability
Talent Development
- Lead digital skills training through government-backed hubs, industry-education partnerships, and tech startup incubation
Regulatory Enhancement
- Complement MCMC oversight with improved field implementation, feedback mechanisms, and localized strategies
Investment Facilitation
- Attract investments in data centers, creative/remote work hubs, and digital enterprises leveraging Sabah's unique opportunities
"Every Sabahan deserves reliable internet, inclusive digital access, and meaningful participation in the modern economy," Maringking emphasized, noting Sarawak's successful SMA model as a blueprint for institutional innovation.
The proposal comes as Sabah risks falling further behind in Malaysia's digital transformation without decisive action to claim its MA63 rights beyond oil royalties – toward full-spectrum digital sovereignty.