(Eastern Times; September 2, 2009)

It started out as whispers and small talks among those who read the news about Tambirat Asajaya, Samarahan in the local papers one morning. It didn't take long before that piece of news became the hot topic of the day in Asajaya.

What made the small village the main topic in everyone's conversation that day was the fact that a fishermen's son, 20 year old 2008 RIGHT programme graduate Mohammad Seimi Amit, had started something relatively new in that village - an ICT service centre.

Seimi has had the idea of starting his own business since he was in school at SMK Asajaya. He worked hard and became a role model for other students in the school.

Always motivated to succeed, Seimi ventured into the ICT business and joined the Rural ICT Guided Home-based Technopreneur (RIGHT) pro-programme.

Like most businessmen, Seimi started out small. The ground floor of his family's wooden house became the base for his business.

Even so, he is doing something good for his village. By opening the ICT centre, Seimi is helping to shape the future for the youths in the village, creating career opportunities for them in the ICT industry.

Two days earlier, Seimi woke up earlier than usual. He then headed to the village surau for morning prayers. That particular day, July 17,2009, would be a date Seimi would remember all his life.

All preparations for the opening of his D'Amy ICT Centre were done right to the last detail a day before. On the morning before the VIPs and guests started to arrive, he paused for a moment, looked at his wooden home and pondered on his future.

Will he succeed one day? Will he become the first technopreneur who will make big name for himself in Tambirat? The important thing now is that everything is going exactly as planned. And now, everyone in the village can connect with the rest of the world, thanks to the new ICT centre.

When this writer arrived for the opening of the centre, everything looked set and ready, and everyone was eagerly waiting for the start of the big event.

But the one with a much bigger butterfly in the stomach was Seimi. Wearing a sleek striped grey Polo, the boyish-looking gentleman offered this writer a bottle of water. "You must be thirsty," he said with a big smile.

It's easy to understand the big smile on Seimi's face. His dream of running the first ICT service centre in his village was about to become a reality.

With a symbolic cutting of the ribbon by the VIPs from Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) and Sarawak State Ministry of Rural Development, D'Amy ICT Centre was officially launched. The event was witnessed by community leaders, Seimi's family and friends, as well as fellow villagers who supported his vision.

Seimi finally became the proud onwer of the fourth ICT service centre (the first three are in Betong, Sambangan and Lundu) under the 2008 RIGHT programme.

The eventful day also saw Seimi's first batch of 11 students from his centre receiving their RIGHT certificates from the Chief Executive Officer of SAINS, Teo Tien Hiong.

Teo explained that their organisation was always happy to help the youths to become successful in the ICT business.

He revealed that the Sarawak State Ministry of Rural Development spent RM10,000 on each candidate while SAINS helped with the indirect costs such as travelling costs and the organising of their schedules.

Teo said the two organisations worked closely together to ensure the programme's success and produce more technopreneurs like Seimi.

Meanwhile, the Ministry's Assistant Principal Secretary, Hamsein Atar said that the ICT centre would help youths and village folk in that area to gain basic knowledge of ICT. It will also help them to connect with the rest of the world.

The opening of D'Amy ICT Centre marked the beginning of a new chapter in Seimi's life. Already, 4 NGO bodies (Saberkas Tambirat, 3D Tambirat, Kumpulan Wanita Kampung Tambirat and Persatuan Melayu Pesisir) have signed a memorandum of understanding with D'Amy ICT Centre to get Seimi's ICT services.

The young technopreneur was confident that with the support of the four NGOs and the villagers, he would have something to look forward to in his new business. With SAINS and the Ministry also helping him, Seimi is on the path towards becoming a successful technopreneur.

Seimi's father Amit Sahari, 61, said he was very happy and that he encouraged his son to work hard and not let people down.

Also extremely proud of Seimi is his mother Jarayah Hj Sojeng, a 51 year old housewife. Like any mother, she prays everyday for her son to succeed.

Seimi charges those who want to use his services and learn about computing and ICT about RM300 each.

"This is for those who are interested in Microsoft Words, PowerPoint and Excel. I think it's reasonable", he said, adding that the wanted to bridge the digital gap and help people become IT literate.

"The Internet services here will also expose them to what's happening everywhere in the world". Seimi can earn between RM1,000 to RM1,500 a month from his business. He said given the chance, he would like to expand his business and upgrade his equipment. He also hopes to further his studies. "I hope my business can help me to achieve that one day," he said.