Kuala Lumpur: Sabah Net Sdn Bhd is expanding its role beyond providing internet connectivity, having reached more than 68,000 people through over 1,000 digital development initiatives in Sabah over the past five years.
The achievement reflects a major strategic shift by the state-owned technology company, which is positioning itself as a key driver of Sabah’s wider digital ecosystem after nearly three decades in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
The transformation was highlighted through recognition at the Pikom Digital Excellence Awards 2026 held in the capital on Nov 2.
Sabah Net chairman Datuk Azman Haji Ruslan said the recognition affirmed the company’s growing role in developing the state’s digital future, beyond providing technological infrastructure.
He said the achievement was not solely the success of the organisation but also recognition of the collective efforts of its employees, strategic partners, communities and stakeholders in expanding technology access and developing future digital talent.
As a technology leader under the Sabah Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (KSTI), Sabah Net has been working to widen opportunities for government agencies, businesses, communities and young people to acquire digital skills and benefit from emerging technologies.
Among its initiatives are the Sabah Net CyberChallenge, Youth eSports Championship, Drone MultiGP Sabah Chapter, IoT Sandbox, and programmes involving Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).
These programmes provide students and young people with practical exposure to technologies expected to shape future industries.
Chief Executive Officer Chin Kah Yi said Sabah Net’s strength lay in its statewide infrastructure, nearly 30 years of ICT experience and understanding of the needs of local communities.
The company currently provides services to more than 1,330 government and community locations throughout Sabah, supported by its technical teams on the ground.
Chin said the challenge was not simply to provide digital infrastructure but to ensure that the benefits of technological advancement reached all segments of society, including rural communities.
For its next phase, Sabah Net plans to develop a more connected digital ecosystem encompassing infrastructure, talent development, industry and communities.
The approach aims to move people beyond basic exposure to technology towards active participation, skills development and employment opportunities in the digital economy.
Sabah also has the potential to connect Malaysia’s digital ambitions with regional markets through cooperation frameworks such as the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Under its mission, “Everyone is Connected”, Sabah Net aims to ensure that more Sabahans not only have access to technology but are also equipped with the skills and opportunities to participate in the digital economy.
