KUCHING (Aug 31): The Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development and yesterday launched the Electronic State Planning Authority (eSPA) System, as part of its effort to digitise urban planning service delivery in Sarawak.

The system is one of four subsystems of the Sarawak Development Planning Management System developed by the ministry in 2016, specifically designed to enhance urban planning service delivery.

The ministry in a release said since February 2021, it has been using Phase 1 of the eSPA System, which focuses on processing application categories.

“The development of the eSPA system is currently in Phase II. Overall, the eSPA system helps the government speed up work processes and provides a centralised data hub for land use planning information,” it said.

The system was officially launched by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at a dinner and award presentation ceremony for the Innovative and Creative Groups (KIK) Convention and Integrity Day here Thursday.

Prior to the system launch, Awang Tengah – also Natural Resources and Urban Development Second Minister – witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of mineral industry talent/workforce in Sarawak between the ministry and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak.

This MoU marks a historic collaboration in strategic human resource development, contributing to job creation and enhancing local expertise in the industry.

Additionally, the MoU will lead to the development of training programmes, materials and equipment to facilitate knowledge acquisition by industry workforce. It also establishes more vigorous research and development efforts, adding value to mineral-based industry products, covering the entire industry chain from upstream to downstream and support sectors.

In his speech, Awang Tengah congratulated and commended the ministry’s permanent secretary for the launch of the eSPA system and signing of the MoU.

He also presented awards to the winners of the KIK Convention 2024.

This year, 26 KIK Groups participated in the convention compared to 22 groups last year.

For the first time, the ministry along with the Natural Resources and Environment Board, and the Land Custody and Development Authority, sent KIK Groups to compete this year.