Yaw helps Abang Johari put on a warrior’s headgear. On hand to offer assistance are Gerawat (left) and Dennis (right).

BARAM: Long San in the interior of Sarawak will be the first in the country to use the balloon-powered Internet as a step toward closing the digital gap between the urban and rural areas.

Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg disclosed that the balloon-powered Internet project would be launched in Long San on Aug 27.

“A school in Long San in the interior of Baram has been selected for the pilot project, developed by Google. Apart from that, we will be working together with Silicon Valley to conduct a proper research on the technology that will transform and bring about development through digital economy.

“We have to develop Baram because it is very remote and we are going to do it through digital economy or smart technology,” he said.

“Give me time as I have been chief minister for seven months. Give me time and space to bring transformation to Sarawak through technology and digital economy as we want to have communication network,” he added.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the Sixth Baram Health Carnival at Samling KM10 Base Camp on Saturday.

He thanked Samling Group and other timber companies for bringing changes to Baram, including Penan settlements in Long Kevok and Batu Bungan.

“Without timber industry we don’t have the roads and they are costly for us to build. I can testify to what we have done. Because of our future, we have to do adjustment to our policies,” he said.

He also commended Samling for organising the three-day health carnival that provided free health consultation and screening to around 2,000 people.

Present were the Chief Minister’s wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Samling executive chairman Dato Sri Yaw Chee Ming, deputy State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala, Baram MP Anyie Ngau and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.