KUCHING: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) officially launched the Electronic State Planning Authority System (eSPA system) yesterday, as an effort to digitize the urban planning service delivery system in Sarawak.

According to a statement, the eSPA system is one of the four sub-systems of the Sarawak Development Planning Management System (SPMS) developed by MUDeNR in 2016, specifically to empower urban planning delivery services.

Starting in February 2021, MUDeNR has used the eSPA System for Phase 1 development, which is to process application categories.

The development of the eSPA system has been developed in phases and has entered Phase II so far.

Overall, the eSPA system helps the government speed up the work process and is able to help form a one-stop central land use planning information data.

The launch of the system was completed by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at a dinner and prize presentation of the Innovative and Creative Groups Convention (KIK) and Integrity Day at a hotel here on Thursday night.

Earlier before the launch of the system, Awang Tengah also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for talent/manpower development in the Sarawak mineral industry between MUDeNR and the Center for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS). 

This signing created its own history when the first time it was made to create collaboration in strategic human resource development that will contribute to the creation of jobs and the improvement of local expertise to the industry.

In addition, it also produces the development of training programs as well as appropriate training materials and equipment to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge by the workforce from the industry.

Through the MoU as well, it creates more active research and development (R&D), thus adding value to mineral-based industrial products.

This includes the entire industry chain starting from the upstream sector to the downstream sector as well as the support sector.

When speaking at the ceremony, Awang Tengah expressed his congratulations and well done to the MUDeNR Permanent Secretary for the launch of the eSPA system and the MoU signing ceremony. 

At the same ceremony, Awang Tengah also completed the presentation of prizes to the winners who participated in the KIK MUDeNR Convention 2024. 

For the record, a total of 26 KIK Groups participated in the convention this year compared to 22 groups last year.

For the first time as well, the Ministry (MUDeNR), Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and Land Development and Protection Board (LCDA) sent the KIK Group to compete this year. 

Also present, MUDeNR Permanent Secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi; Sarawak Forest Director Datu Hamden Mohammad; CENTEXS Chief Executive Officer Dato Syeed Mohd Hussien Wan Abdul Rahman and
Sarawak Land and Survey Director Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood.