Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s 17th State Election (PRN17) will not only decide the state’s political future but also test how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could influence democracy in Malaysia’s east.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer, Azizan Morshidi, said the state election is not just about politics but also about how AI will shape the way information is shared and trusted.
“The Election Commission (EC) is eyeing AI as a tool to improve transparency.
“From personalised voting reminders in multiple languages to real-time monitoring of voter turnout, AI could transform how elections are managed,” he said.
Azizan said those efforts mirror Malaysia’s digitalisation agenda under the Malaysia Madani framework, the MyDIGITAL Blueprint, and the National AI Framework launched in 2023.
“Sabah, through its Sabah Maju Jaya plan, has also pledged to harness digital technology for public service.
“But with opportunity comes risk. Deepfakes, manipulated videos, and algorithm-driven disinformation are already seen as global threats.
“The World Economic Forum has ranked misinformation as one of the most severe short-term risks worldwide. Sabah leaders have voiced similar concerns,” he said.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has warned about the spread of online defamation, while Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya condemned AI-generated defamatory videos, calling them damaging to Sabah’s reputation.
To fight back, Azizan said Sabah launched the Gamuda AI Academy at the State Library, aimed at training young people to recognise and resist digital manipulation.
“Equipping our youth with AI literacy is as important as teaching them civic responsibility, this is how Sabah builds resilience against falsehoods.
“Still, Sabah faces a more basic problem, infrastructure. Many rural communities lack stable electricity, water supply, and reliable 5G connectivity.
“AI adoption cannot succeed if connectivity is weak. Without strong foundations, rural Sabahans risk being left behind and more exposed to misinformation,” Azizan warned.
According to Azizan, social unrest linked to disinformation in other countries has shown how quickly digital threats can spill into real life.
“Experts say Sabah must learn from these lessons by boosting digital literacy, tightening laws under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and cooperating with platforms like Meta, TikTok, and X.
“PRN17 will be a testing ground for how Sabah manages the promises and pitfalls of AI.
“AI can either strengthen or weaken democracy, the outcome depends on whether we use it responsibly,” he said.
