Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), in partnership with the Sarawak government via its implementing agency, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) has announced the launch of the DE Rantau Sarawak.
The launch was done during the opening ceremony of International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2024 by Premier of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the Premier of Sarawak.
DE Rantau intends to attract digital professionals (sometimes termed as Digital Nomads) to do their remote work while staying and living in Kuching, and Sarawak in general.
The application for DE Rantau Sarawak will be open in the first quarter of 2025.
What is DE Rantau
The DE Rantau Sarawak is part of the broader Sarawak Digital Residency Programme (SDRP), inspired by Estonia’s E-Residency model.
The SDRP aims to attract digital professionals to work and live in Sarawak. SDRP’s first phase introduces the DE Rantau Sarawak, a Professional Visit Pass (PVP) which allows digital freelancers and remote workers to stay in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia for up to 12 months, with an option for a renewal of another 12 months.
While working remotely, this pass enables global tech talents to experience working remotely from both Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, while experiencing Malaysia’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and modern infrastructure.
DE Rantau, which is a Malaysia Digital initiative, aims to position Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s preferred destination for digital nomads while promoting digital adoption and tourism nationwide.
DE Rantau take up so far
Since its inception in 2022, the DE Rantau Nomad Pass has been enhanced to include non-tech professionals, broadening access for global talents wishing to work remotely from Malaysia.
As of 14th October 2024, DE Rantau has received 4059 digital nomad pass applications, out of which, 1,988 has been approved.
The top 5 nationalities of DE Rantau Nomad Pass holders are from Russia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Japan and United States of America.
40% of DE Rantau Nomad Pass holders are here in Malaysia with their family members.
DE Rantau hubs
The programme also boasts a robust ecosystem with 2,076 certified DE Rantau Hubs that offer strategic locations, high-speed internet connectivity, and work-friendly amenities with none available in Kuching at the time of writing.
It is however important to note that there is still time for Kuching De Rantau Hubs to be made available as application for DE Rantau Sarawak only opens in the first quarter of next year.
According to MDEC it has partnered with 15 ecosystem partners across various sectors, including transport, tourism, cashless services, healthcare, insurance, car rentals and co-working spaces.
For more information and to apply for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, please visit www.mdec.my/derantau.
