KUCHING – Sarawak has taken a major step forward in modernising its surveying and mapping ecosystem with the introduction of the Sarawak Geocentric Datum 2020 (SGeD20), a new geospatial reference system based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
The initiative, unveiled at the SGeDNet & Sarawak Cadastre Modernisation Public Dialogue, forms part of the state’s Cadastre Modernisation programme.
It aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of survey data while supporting Sarawak’s broader digital transformation agenda.
Sarawak Land and Survey Director, Datu Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood, explained that the adoption of SGeD20 aligns with the aspirations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, both of which emphasise data-driven and technology-based development.
He highlighted the establishment of the Sarawak Geodetic Reference Network (SGeDnet), which now comprises 38 active and passive control stations across the state.
This infrastructure provides a robust foundation for high-precision cadastral surveys, while also supporting research and development (R&D), digital mapping, and advanced geospatial applications.
“With more efficient geospatial data management, Sarawak is now on the right track to stand in line with developed countries in the implementation of a geocentric datum-based cadastre system,” said Datu Awang Zamhari.
The launch of SGeD20 and the expansion of SGeDnet also reinforce the objectives of the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint (SDEB) 2030, which envisions high-precision geospatial data as a cornerstone of digital economic transformation and smart state development.
The public dialogue served as a platform to introduce SGeD20 to technical agencies, researchers, industry players, and the professional surveying community.
It also encouraged knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration to strengthen Sarawak’s geospatial ecosystem.
By adopting SGeD20, Sarawak positions itself as a regional leader in geospatial innovation, ensuring that its surveying infrastructure keeps pace with global standards while supporting sustainable development and digital growth.
