Kota Kinabalu: Sabah must embrace advancing technology in infrastructure development without compromising on quality and established standards, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Speaking at the inaugural Borneo Empowerment in Standards and Transformation (Best) Conference 2026 on Tuesday, Joachim noted that while technology such as artificial intelligence improves efficiency, standards are vital to ensure quality, safety, and sustainability.
He said AI could help the construction sector identify cost-effective development methods, though its effectiveness relies heavily on the quality and comprehensiveness of available data.
The Works and Utilities Minister highlighted Sabah’s vast terrain, dispersed population, and exposure to natural hazards like earthquakes and flooding as factors that complicate infrastructure works and drive up costs.
Emphasising that funding and technology alone cannot guarantee success, Joachim said development ultimately depends on competent human capital, strong multi-stakeholder cooperation, and strict integrity in project execution.
