Awang Tengah (front third left) and others applaud during the Limpas opening gimmick. — Photos by Muhd Rais Sanusi

 
 

KUCHING: Data and images from the latest remote sensing technology will be used to produce the Second Edition of the Sarawak Land Cover Map.

The application of this technology is made possible following the signing of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the state’s Land and Survey Department (JTS) and the federal Malaysia Remote Sensing Agency (APRM) yesterday.

Witnessed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the ceremony which took place at a leading hotel here also saw the unveiling of this new land cover system called ‘Litupan Mukabumi Penderiaan Angkasa Sarawak’ or Limpas.

Awang Tengah, in his speech, said the MoU is an upgrade of the cooperation note between JTS and APRM which had ended in 2016.

He also said the previous cooperation succeeded in producing the First Edition of Sarawak Land Cover Map 2014 to replace the Land Use Map of Sarawak and Brunei used since 1957.

With the latest remote sensing technology,he said the data obtained will be faster and more precise unlike the current method of using images from aerial shots which is limited to smaller size of area and takes longer time to process.

He explained that  remote sensing which utilises satellite, cover a wider area and field data is obtained faster when combined with Geographic Information System (GIS).

“The Land and Survey Department celebrates its 100 years of establishment this year. It should adopt new and latest methods to further build up its capacity as the lead agency in the state’s development,” said Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources.

He explained the land management andadministration in Sarawak needs the latest and sophisticated technology in order to achieve a more efficient public service delivery.

Existing systems such as LASIS, eLASIS and eSPA are among the systems which can be combined with remote sensing technology to expedite decision making, he added.

“In the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategic Plan, remote sensing technology can be in various main sectors namely agriculture, tourism, smart city, digital government, data and digital, and defence and enforcement.
“I believe this remote sensing technology will assist the state in achieving its target of a successful digital economy in the year 2022,” he said.

JTS was represented by its director Zaidi Mahdi at the MoU signing, while signing on behalf of APRM was its director-general Azlikamil Napiah.

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Azhar Yahaya and Urban Development and Natural Resources permanent secretary Dr Wan Lizosman Wan Omar were present.

In conjunction with this MoU, a two-day ‘Seminar on Empowering the Usage of Remote Sensing Technology For the Wellbeing and Security Sustainability of The Country’ was held at the same venue.