KUCHING (October 9): Sarawak is expected to start using blockchain technology next year, starting with the issuance of digital education certificates, said Kuching Blockchain Technology Association (KBTA) president James Gan.
He said the association is in talks with local universities and state agencies to kickstart pilot projects that will use blockchain to issue tamper-proof certificates.
“Currently, we have already been talking quite a lot of university agencies to start some basic projects. The easiest (real world blockchain use case) will be education certs on blockchain.
“When you go for a job interview, the employer still needs to call the university to check if the certificate is real. That can take weeks.
“But with blockchain, once your cert is on the chain, it cannot be altered. The employer just scans the file and can verify it immediately,” he told The Borneo Post at the sidelines after launching the Borneo Blockchain Conference (BBC) 2025 held here today.
Blockchain-based certification works by storing education records on a secure digital ledger that cannot be changed or deleted once uploaded.
Instead of a physical certificate, the graduate receives a digital file often linked to a QR code or a JSON file that contains a unique identifier tied to the blockchain record.
When an employer scans this file, the system instantly checks the blockchain and confirms the authenticity of the certificate. Because the data is immutable or unchangeable, no one can alter, forge or duplicate the certificate, making verification instant and remove the need for manual checks.
Gan added that universities in Singapore have already adopted similar systems. He said Sarawak’s pilot project could pave the way for wider use in the future, including for medical or training certificates.
He also said the association is working with several agencies to build the necessary infrastructure, which includes developing the blockchain layer and policy framework.
“You need to build the infrastructure for the technology, which costs money. We are exploring both private and government joint ventures,” he said.
While financial applications of blockchain will take time due to regulatory concerns and public perception associated with scams, he said non-financial uses such as document verification and certification can be implemented sooner.
Meanwhile, he said the state is also preparing to further explore blockchain technology through a new Blockchain Innovation and Regulatory Sandbox Centre, proposed by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian who officiated the BBC 2025 earlier.
He said the sandbox concept will allow innovators to test new technologies or business models with temporary exemptions from certain regulations.
“Singapore also has sandbox, Hong Kong also has. It’s like an experimental zone, a kind of lab. You do your project there, prove your concept, and if successful, it will move forward. It’s experimental, with exemption to some of the laws which haven’t passed yet.
“Like in Singapore, under the Payment Services Act, you have to comply with many requirements. But inside the sandbox, you may get one or two years exemption to test your idea,” he explained.
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