(Borneo Post; January 01, 2011)

by Maggie Apau

When communication theorist, Marshal McLuhan, predicted the ‘world wide web’, the emergence of a ‘global village’ and even coined the term ‘surfing’ in the 60s, computers were neither handy nor portable. They were mainframe computers that occupied whole rooms and used punch-card systems.

With the evolution of computer hardware from mainframes to minis throughout the 70s and 80s and the concurrent emergence of the personal computer, technology was swiftly and surely moving closer to McLuhan’s vision. Yet, with the best global foresight at the time, the general public would not have expected the personal computer to become the household staple it is today.

While that was happening on the world stage, in Sarawak, the State Computer Committee which was established in 1985 realized that its computerization program could be better managed and decided to do something about it. Thus, in April 1991, SAINS was created to spearhead the development and implementation of ‘computerization’ within the Sarawak State Government to better integrate and utilize its resources. In the long run, SAINS vision was to leverage IT as a core component in enabling Sarawak socio-economic development.

While its founding CEO, the recently decorated Dato Teo Tien Hiong, credits the success of SAINS to the collective efforts of his staff in the information and communications technology firm, it is obvious that the company’s momentum was propelled by the intense focus of his dynamic personality.

Q: What was the perception of IT in Sarawak when SAINS was first formed?

A: SAINS was established before we could predict the huge role ICT would play in our State Administration or personal lives. Back in the 1980s, the term ‘ICT’ or ‘IT’ didn’t even exist; we called it ‘computerization’ then. But I really have to commend the visionary leadership that led to the formation of SAINS in 1991 to the Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, and Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan.

Q: Since computerization was such a new concept then, how did the state agencies know what to expect from this new technology?

A: When we started, we didn’t have enough resources, and looking back I think most of the State agencies didn’t quite know what they really wanted. All they knew was that they wanted to be ‘computerized’ and yet the existing computerized systems were messy, not integrated and disorganized.

To solve this problem quickly, the State Computer Committee, of which I was a member representing the State Planning Unit, decided to take a unique corporate approach and form an independent body to holistically address their software needs. That was how SAINS, (then called Sarawak Computerization Services Sdn Bhd), was born.

Q: How did SAINS define its vision?

A: When the task of spearheading SAINS was given to me in 1991, I quickly outlined my mission for implementing sustainable ICT utilization in the State Civil Service and a broad long-term strategy for SAINS as a corporate entity. I presented a 2-page sketch on my twin pronged conceptualization to the Chairman (Datuk Patinggi Dr. George Chan) and the MD (Tan Sri Hamid Bugo) before I accepted the challenge of the job. I figured that if we couldn’t agree on the basics, then it would be very difficult if not impossible for me to address the challenges. Looking back, I was happy that I did that. In the end I can truthfully say that whatever the current successes of SAINS a very large part of the credit must go to my Chairman and my first MD.

I have always been very hands-on in my management style and immediately thereafter we hit the ground running, so to speak. The first year of its inception was spent mostly on sorting out corporate and operational matters while I was still working with the State Planning Unit.

Q: What were some of SAINS’ biggest challenges?

A: At the time, our biggest challenge was resources and proving to the target customers that we could deliver. We didn’t have enough people, skill or time. What I did then was to prioritize my to-do list and put our total resources for the time being on supporting the State Civil Service, as the need for computerization was growing fast.

One of the first challenges then, was office automation. In those days, there were all sorts of office automation programs that were all incompatible with one another. We had to quickly standardize the office desktop applications, set up a reliable help desk service and at the same time look into building customized software for various agencies. It was firefighting all the way.

Since then we have come a long way. In the process SAINS has propelled Sarawak to become the most ICT enabled State in Malaysia. Apart from that it also won for Sarawak the highest rating of “Five Star” Government Portals and Websites in Malaysia for 2007, 2008 and 2010.

Among some of the most popular SAINS e-Government solutions used in the Sarawak State public service are the internationally acclaimed Land and Survey Information System or LASIS, the State Integrated Financial, Budgeting and Accounting System or SIFBAS, the Angkasa Library System and “Paybillsmalaysia.com.my”, the State Government’s very own electronic Payment Gateway.

The big breakthrough for SAINS in Peninsula Malaysia came in 1997 when we sold a number of software solutions to other state governments. One of these solutions was subsequently redeveloped into the eSyariah System which was implemented nationwide over more than 100 locations and won the PM’s ICT Quality Award in 2007. Another nationwide implementation of over 100 locations was the eWelfare System project which we undertook in 2008.

Apart from winning the World Summit Award, my greatest satisfaction is to see the implementation of the Integrated Court System over 88 courts in Sabah and Sarawak, a combined territory of more than 60% the area of Malaysia with difficult terrain and poor infrastructure, in less than half a year. We were awarded the project in July 2010 and we completed it just before Christmas for a group of very happy customers. Many people thought we would not be able to do it, but with good planning, hard work and determination we did it. I think this truly demonstrates that Sarawak’s pioneering ICT development has come of age. Apart from winning the World Award, an earlier version of this application had also won the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Award in the Best of e-Government and Services category in 2008.

Q: As SAINS will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in April this year, what do you think are SAINS greatest contribution to the State over the last two decades?

A: If I look at the big picture, the answer has to be the creation of a lasting critical mass of ICT skills in the State. Before SAINS was established, the ICT job market in Sarawak was grim to nonexistent. SAINS with its subsidiaries as a group has been the training ground for a permanent pool of over 1000 highly skilled professionals in various ICT disciplines over the last 20 years. Many of these people are currently working with various other organizations and institutions in the State. From the perspective of government, corporate and even personal ICT users, in the old days they would have to look for help beyond the shores of Sarawak when confronted with even relatively minor problems.

Today, the State is well positioned to supply its own ICT needs; and supply creates and sustains further demand. In a nutshell, SAINS’ presence has permanently altered the dynamics of computing in Sarawak. It has raised and transformed the State from being merely an ICT user to an ICT producer. Such a technology transformation is pretty much a pre-requisite for further sustainable educational, social and economic modernization. This has to be the foundation if we want to talk about a collective future with knowledge workers and high income economy.

Q: What other potential projects are in the cards for SAINS?

A: As the Corridor Developments in Malaysia are currently at various stages of planning and implementation, I see these as very exciting prospects. We are definitely very keen to seek a meaningful role to meet some of the ICT needs of these mega development initiatives. In particular, we would be very eager to participate in fulfilling some of the ICT needs of major foreign investors in SCORE.

In fact, SAINS group has been quite often approached by foreign parties to provide ICT solutions overseas but we have generally chosen to be prudent and cautious. Notwithstanding that, we will continue to independently reach out to potential foreign markets through both local and foreign partnerships. Our products are currently already represented in a number of ASEAN countries as well as New Zealand and Australia. We are also exploring opportunities in Mainland Asia, Middle East, Africa and some countries in Oceania.

Q: What are some of SAINS Corporate Social Responsibility projects to date?

A: Unlike the brick and mortar industry, ICT has the inherent advantage of giving and sharing valuable virtual solutions at relatively low cost. SAINS for one has been very active in promoting CSR initiatives, and I would like to encourage other ICT players to do likewise.

There are many CSR initiatives currently promoted and supported by SAINS. One of the major ones is The Rural ICT Guided Home-based Technopreneur or “RIGHT” program. I have personally led this initiative since 2005, and it aims at bridging urban-rural digital divide by providing a 6-month theory and practical training for rural youths. RIGHT graduates can then choose to set up ICT service centres in their own communities as anchor Technopreneur with further assistance from SAINS.

Q: Tell us about SAINS’ most recent international award, the United Nations World Summit Award?

A: Competing in a crowded field of over 24,000 of the world’s best ICT systems from 157 countries in 2009, Sarawak’s very own ICT Company, Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), won one of the United Nations World Summit Awards for the Best e-Content Applications in the e-Government and Institutions category with its home grown Integrated Court System (ICS).

This is no ordinary accomplishment as the final judging was over 545 selected entries by a Grand Jury of eminent multimedia and e-content experts from 34 countries. The Grand Jury selected the five most outstanding products in each of the eight WSA Categories as Winners. It is the first time that any company or country in Southeast Asia has won this most distinguished ICT recognition in the world.

Q: What did it take for SAINS to become the award-winning ICT firm it is today?

A: It is all about consistently doing our very best. Our specific aim is not about winning awards; it is about treating customers with respect and commitment to deliver top-notch products and services to them. Award winning is between you and the rest of the world. You can only do your best and let the world judge. No matter how technologically advanced SAINS is, our success has to be always about engaging with our customers. When it comes to designing and architecting an ICT system, you have to be innovative and have a very clear target audience in your mind. We must get creative and innovative to help the customers solve their problems, and be prepared to take them through the stages.

Some other SAINS CSR initiatives

The annual hosting of Open Source Software Development Competition and Awards for university students: This competition encourages young up-and-coming local ICT talents with certificates and prizes to popularize software development in Open Source technologies.

The annual Top ICT Graduates Awards: This CSR initiative is promoted together with Swinburne University, Sarawak and Curtin University, Sarawak to recognize the top ICT graduates from the two universities with joint certificates and SAINS prize awards.

The annual Sarawak Chief Minister’s ICT Media Award Competition: This event is hosted by SAINS for local journalists and Radio/TV Media presenters. Recognition certificates and prize awards are handed out to winners personally by the Chief Minister.

The Sarawak ICT Development and Media Network: This is an initiative proposed by the Chief Minister. It involves SAINS as the Network Chair and Secretariat with the ICT Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department, AZAM and UNIMAS as co-organizers to engage the print and electronic media community on ICT matters. In particular, the Network promotes better understanding of current global ICT issues in general, the utilization of ICT within the State Government and further dissemination of information through the media channels on the e-Government service delivery to the Rakyat.