Building Safer, Smarter and More Cost-Efficient Roads for the Future
Did you know?
Sarawak is undergoing a quiet but major digital transformation—not only in education and the economy, but also in infrastructure and rural development.
One of the biggest breakthroughs is how digital technology is now reshaping road construction, especially in the northern and rural regions with extremely soft soil.
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✦ Digitalisation Producing Real Results
According to the Premier of Sarawak, the State Digital Economy Policy has already delivered significant progress across multiple strategic sectors:
1. Digital Transformation in Education
• The Sarawak Rural Broadband Initiative expands internet access to rural schools
• Students can access learning materials beyond the classroom
• Academic performance improves across rural areas
• Reduces the digital and educational gap between urban and rural zones
2. Digital Economy Creating New Opportunities
• Offers growth pathways for Sarawakians
• Opens up education, training and knowledge access
• Enhances the value of Sarawak’s natural and industrial resources
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✦ How Digital Technology Improves Road Development
The Public Works Department (JKR) now uses computerised highway and road modelling systems to determine the best engineering solutions for building roads on soft ground.
The Result: Safer Roads + Lower Long-Term Costs
Digital simulations have guided the construction of extensive elevated roads in extremely soft-soil regions such as:
Lingga, Kota Samarahan–Sri Aman, Baram, Miri, Marudi, Mulu, Long Panai, Long San, Long Lama to Limbang
Why elevated roads?
• Higher initial cost
• But much lower long-term maintenance
• More stable and less prone to sinking
• Improves transport, safety, and connectivity for rural communities
This is one of the key achievements made possible through digital engineering.
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✦ Digitalisation Is Transforming Rural Development
Sarawak is also using digital innovation to uplift rural areas through:
• AI-driven technologies such as KETEQ.AI chips
• Higher agricultural productivity
• Stronger renewable energy development
• Integration of rural communities into global value chains
Digitalisation is no longer limited to cities—it is now a driving force behind rural transformation.
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✦ Strategic Impact: A New Direction for Sarawak’s Infrastructure
1. Stronger, safer and more resilient roads
2. Lower long-term road maintenance costs
3. Improved rural connectivity
4. Digital adoption across education, agriculture and economy
5. Faster and more accurate engineering decisions
6. Better development balance between rural and urban regions
7. Attraction of advanced technology into Sarawak
8. A sustainable, tech-driven development model
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✦ Sarawak’s Future Roads
Not cheaper—but smarter, safer and more sustainable
From digital modelling, elevated structures and AI-led solutions to rural broadband access, this digital shift positions Sarawak at the forefront of infrastructure innovation in Malaysia.
The roads of Sarawak’s future will be:
• More stable
• More cost-efficient
• More technologically advanced
• More sustainable
Step by step, digitalisation is reshaping how Sarawak builds, grows, and connects.
