Sabah government to strengthen national language against AI challenges

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has announced that the state government will prioritize the empowerment of the national language to navigate the challenges of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative includes expanding the use of the language in public spaces and ensuring stricter compliance in official matters.

Key components of the strategy involve promoting traditional elements such as pantun and Jawi script, conducting linguistic research, and supporting ethnic literature. The Chief Minister also aims to expand the local book industry by featuring Sabah-based authors and encouraging digital influencers and creative industry players to use technology to nurture the language.

Under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan, the state seeks to balance economic growth with human capital development and cultural identity. The government intends to strengthen cooperation with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and the Ministry of Education to document local languages and ethnic heritage for future generations, with the goal of establishing Kota Kinabalu as a city of literature.