By WU VUIDE
PENAMPANG: Sabah’s digital transformation must translate into higher productivity, quality jobs, stronger local businesses and greater investment, said Deputy Chief Minister II and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
He said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, cloud computing and data analytics should ultimately be judged by the economic value and opportunities they create for Sabah and its people.
“Technology is a means to an end. It is not the end itself. The real question for Sabah is what these technologies can do for our economy and Sabahans,” he said when officiating at the 10th Malaysia Digital Economy Forum 2026 (MDEF2026) at ITCC here yesterday.
Masidi said Sabah should leverage technology to improve SME productivity, create higher-value jobs, strengthen public and business services and manage the State’s natural resources more sustainably.
He said this was particularly relevant as Sabah expands its Blue Economy, where digital technologies could support fisheries, aquaculture, marine resource management, logistics and sustainable tourism.
“The ocean economy of tomorrow will increasingly depend on data, artificial intelligence, automation, digital platforms and smart logistics.
“These can help us improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and connect Sabah businesses to markets beyond our shores,” he said.
Masidi also stressed the importance of developing local talent, saying Sabah should not remain merely a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
He urged investors and technology companies to provide training, knowledge transfer and greater opportunities for local SMEs, universities and TVET institutions.
“When you invest in Sabah, invest also in Sabahan talent. Investment should leave behind something more valuable than the investment itself — capability,” he said.
He added that greater digitalisation must also be accompanied by stronger cybersecurity, data protection and public trust.
Forums such as MDEF2026, he said, should ultimately lead to concrete outcomes such as investments, business partnerships, training programmes and new opportunities for Sabahans.
Masidi (seventh, right), and guests at MDEF 2026.
