Ìý
Article By:
Azizan bin Morshidi
Senior Lecturer,ÌýFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities &ÌýResearcher of GEOPES Team
Alamat emel ini dilindungi dari Spambot. Anda perlu hidupkan JavaScript untuk melihatnya.
Ìý
The approaching 17th State Election (PRN17) in Sabah represents not only a traditional political contest but also a critical test for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the local democratic landscape. The year 2024 has been marked by a significant number of electoral processes worldwide, engaging nearly half of the global population and heightening the demand for accurate and reliable information. In this context, AI emerges as a dual-purpose tool—capable of enhancing electoral efficiency while simultaneously introducing risks of misinformation and manipulation.
Ìý
The Potential of AI in Strengthening Democracy
Ìý
AI offers significant opportunities to improve transparency and participation in elections. The Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) has the potential to utilise AI for disseminating personalised electoral information, including voting reminders in multiple languages and logistical details. This technology could also assist in monitoring voter turnout and managing electoral data more efficiently.
Such initiatives align with the nation's digital aspirations under the Malaysia Madani framework and the MyDIGITAL Blueprint, which aim to transform public services through digitalisation. The Government launched the National Artificial Intelligence Framework in 2023 to guide the ethical use of AI in both public and private sectors. In Sabah, the state government has demonstrated commitment to digital transformation through the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, though the specific implementation of AI in public interest management remains at an early stage.
Ìý
Risks and Challenges of AI in Democracy
Ìý
However, the use of AI in elections is not without risks. The spread of false information and synthetic content such as deepfakes has become a global concern, including in Malaysia. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024, misinformation and disinformation are among the most severe short-term risks facing societies worldwide.
At the local level, the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, has expressed concerns about the misuse of social media and technology to spread political defamation. This issue is particularly relevant given Sabah’s unique linguistic and socio-cultural diversity, which may influence how information is disseminated and perceived. Sabah's strategic launch of the Gamuda AI Academy at the Sabah State Library could emerge as a commendable initiative for approaching the 17th State Election (PRN17), directly addressing the rising threats of AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes that may have already impacted the electoral landscape. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya as criticizing the irresponsible use of AI technology to create defamatory videos against the government, warning that such actions risk tarnishing Sabah’s reputation. Thus, this initiative represents a proactive defence of democratic integrity by turning youth into frontline defenders of accurate information.
As throngs of new Undi18 voters increasingly rely on social media for political content, issue such as algorithmic literacy and digital verification shall be, empowering future voters to safeguard election transparency. By integrating AI education with Sabah's Sabah Maju Jaya agenda, this collaboration between government, private sectors, and AI giants ensures local talent drives ethical AI adoption in public services, land management, and electoral processes—proving that in the age of synthetic media, Sabah is building not just technical skills, but democratic resilience from within.
On the same note, for Sabah to harness the transformative potential of AI without falling prey to its perils, the state must first overcome a foundational digital challenge. The ambitious goals of digital literacy programs, ethical AI governance, and collaborative monitoring of misinformation will remain futile if basic public infrastructure remains critically inadequate. Without highly improved electricity supply, paved road networks, consistent water access, and, most urgently, stable and reliable 5G internet connectivity, Sabah risks entrenching a damaging new form of inequality namely, algorithmic exclusion. AI development depends on seamless data flow, continuous power, and widespread connectivity; without these, the state will not only lag in technological adoption but also remain acutely vulnerable to AI-driven disinformation and manipulation. If Sabah is to truly serve as a model for AI-integrated democracy rather than a cautionary tale, it must first bridge the infrastructural chasm that threatens to leave its people behind, once again, in the nation’s march toward progress.
Ìý
Striking a Balance: The Path Forward
Ìý
The start of second half of 2025 has witnessed social upheavals abroad partly caused by disinformation. These incidents serve as a sobering cautionary tale for the world, demonstrating that without robust digital infrastructure and pre-emptive safeguards, the same algorithms that promise progress can also be weaponized to exploit societal fractures and trigger real-world instability. Addressing these challenges requires proactive measures. Enhancing digital literacy is essential, necessitating collaboration between the EC, government agencies such as the Ministry of Communications, the Department of Information, Royal Military Police and local universities to raise public awareness on identifying false information.
Strengthening the existing regulatory framework under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Official Secrets Act is also crucial to addressing digital threats, in line with the National AI Framework’s emphasis on ethics and governance.
Close collaboration with social media platforms such as Meta, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) is needed to monitor and address detrimental content, following precedents set by the general elections abroad.
Furthermore, developing localised research on the impact of AI on democracy in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah, is vital to understanding and addressing context-specific socio-cultural factors.
PRN17 in Sabah provides an important testing ground for the integration of AI into Malaysian democracy. While AI holds promise for improving efficiency and access to information, it also carries risks of manipulation and inequity that must be proactively addressed. A cautious and collaborative approach among all stakeholders is essential to ensure that this technology strengthens rather than undermines the democratic process in Sabah and Malaysia as a whole.
Ìý
Ìý
