TEGAS Lodge Sarawak to anchor Digital Village expansion

KUCHING: The proposed TEGAS Lodge Sarawak (TLS) will form part of the TEGAS Digital Village’s Phase Two expansion at Sama Jaya High Tech Park, complementing its digital learning, innovation and entrepreneurship facilities with accommodation.

Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak’s (TEGAS) Chairman, Datuk Len Talif Salleh said TLS would allow programme participants and digital nomads to stay and work at the site while interacting with local and international talent.

“People can work there, stay there and exchange ideas, not only with local digital nomads but also those from overseas. It will be a one-stop centre where people can work and stay,” he told Sarawak Tribune.

Len Talif said the expansion would address growing demand for the Digital Village’s facilities, with only about five acres of its approximately 20-acre site developed so far.

He said the proposed TLS, targeted for completion in 2029 or 2030, would offer short-term and long-term accommodation, supported by amenities such as food outlets, a gym and recreational facilities.

“Initially, we did not know what the response would be. Alhamdulillah, now we are running out of space.

“With the allocation provided by the state government, I will make it a personal mission to ensure the TLS is completed,” he said.

Len Talif said he raised the idea of accommodation with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during a Shell LiveWIRE programme attended by primary school pupils from his constituency.

He said improved connectivity had enabled more pupils from outside Kuching to visit the city, thus highlighting the potential for accommodation to support educational visits to the Digital Village.

“I jokingly said it would be nice if we had a lodge or hostel here. When the Premier concluded the event, he announced his agreement. It was a pleasant surprise,” he said.

The Phase Two expansion also envisages dedicated accommodation for digital nomads to encourage longer stays and interaction within the Digital Village.

The plans support efforts to attract talent through state initiatives such as the e-Residency scheme.