KUALA LUMPUR: Qhazanah Sabah Bhd (QSB), the Sabah state government's investment arm, has teamed up with Celcom Axiata Bhd (Celcom) to advance digital innovation and solutions harnessing 5G connectivity in Sabah.
With this new tie-up, Sabah is now one step closer to harnessing the latest digital innovation and solutions for government services.
QSB group chief executive officer Ahmad Rizal Dahli said the collaboration would enable both firms to jointly plan for the rollout of the Smart Sabah Initiative, focusing on the implementation of digital programmes in line with the state government's Sabah Maju Jaya development masterplan.
The collaboration will see the development of smart solutions encompassing the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) in e-government, public safety and security, e-learning, and the digital economy, contributing positively to people's lives by creating employment opportunities.
Ahmad Rizal said this after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday between Celcom and QSB at its Riverson Suites Office here.
Ahmad Rizal said the MoU would pave the way to establishing Sabah as the region's smart-sustainable city model for the 21st century.
Fulfilling its role as the catalyst for new growth areas, he explained that QSB would focus on developing digital infrastructure, the backbone of facilitating the digital economy.
"With our group's solid footing and vast experience in developing the digital infrastructure in the state as well as a support system for telecommunications facilities, we anticipate that this collaboration with Celcom will enhance our group's capabilities in playing our role as the state's investment company to benefit the government and the people," Ahmad Rizal said.
Since commencing the 5G trial demonstration in Langkawi in 2017, for the 28GHz band prototype in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, Celcom's capabilities have served significant milestones by showcasing seven cases featuring smart cities and providing innovative industrial solutions.
Afizulazha said Celcom is geared to bringing innovative digital solutions to Sabah by establishing a pilot project in the state, with the groundwork scheduled to kick off this year.
"We are confident the collaboration will boost capacity building from both sides, particularly in the knowledge transfer in the usage of high-end technology digital applications.
"This collaboration will also provide us opportunities to bring innovative products and services to Sabah's vast and unique communities.
"Celcom is ready to bring its larger ecosystem to support these initiatives and be with Sabah state to pioneer Southeast Asia's digital future," Afizulazha said.
QSB was represented at the signing by Ahmad Rizal and witnessed by its deputy group chief executive officer (corporate) Noor Afzalinah Mohd Afzul Khan, while Celcom was represented by the chief operating officer (Technology) Afizulazha Abdullah, who is also the chief enterprise business officer.
The event was also witnessed by its Celcom head of corporate sales (managed accounts) Romlan Sarpin.
Also present from QSB were the chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Salleh Said Keruak, executive director Tuan Mohd Shukor Abdul Mumin, directors of QSB and senior personnel from QSB Group and Celcom.