Works Ministry eyes AI-powered road monitoring system to boost Sabah infrastructure

Borneo Post

01-07-2025

Shahelmey, John and Raja with the 30 students from the first cohort of the Gamuda AI Academy's Sabah campus, together with trainers and alumni.
KOTA KINABALU (July 1): The Ministry of Works Sabah is looking forward to implementing a Smart Road Asset Management System that will utilise artificial intelligence (AI), drones and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to enhance road maintenance and infrastructure efficiency across the state.
Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Works, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, said the technology is expected to revolutionise how road conditions are monitored by enabling real-time damage detection and predictive maintenance.
'With this technology, we are able to better maintain our roads, thus increasing the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of road and infrastructure management,' he said at the launch of the Gamuda AI Academy Sabah Campus at the State Library here on Tuesday.
He added that the AI-driven system would not only improve the quality of infrastructure management but could also lead to long-term cost savings for the state government.
The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan, which places strong emphasis on digital talent development, innovation and public service transformation. Infrastructure is among the key focus areas under the plan, alongside agriculture, logistics, tourism and governance.
Shahelmey said the advent of AI technology in road management would complement the state's push for a digitally literate and future-ready workforce.
He noted that the younger generation must equip themselves with adaptive, innovation-oriented skills, particularly in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
'These have become priority areas for the state government. We have allocated funds for programmes aimed at boosting students' interest in STEM and TVET,' he said, adding that such efforts are expected to create more local professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Shahelmey expressed confidence that AI-trained talents from Sabah would play a key role in transforming the state's digital landscape, including in infrastructure development.
He lauded Gamuda for their partnership in bringing the academy to Sabah, in collaboration with Sabah Net and SCENIC under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (KSTI).
The Kota Kinabalu campus is the academy's first outside of the Klang Valley, following the success of three cohorts trained in Kuala Lumpur since its establishment in 2024. Over 100 graduates have been upskilled with full-stack AI capabilities.
Shahelmey also took pride in the fact that a Sabahan, Isaac Ebi, is now serving as one of the trainers at the academy.
'It is our hope that these students will stay and contribute to the state's growth. Imagine the son or daughter of a fisherman from Kuala Mengalong leading AI adoption across Sabah. That is the future we envision,' he said.
He also encouraged the first batch of students at the Sabah campus to make the most of the opportunity and be at the forefront of innovation in the state.
'Together, let's make technology and AI mastery inclusive for all Sabahans,' he said.
Gamuda AI Academy Sabah campus represents the second campus in Malaysia and the first in East Malaysia, following the successful launch of the first campus in Kuala Lumpur in 2024.
The Academy is yet another collaboration with Google that leverages its Cloud's capabilities. To date, since its Kuala Lumpur launch, the academy has completed three cohorts, upskilling more than 100 graduates in full-stack AI.
It's a timely launch, aligns with Sabah's digital transformation goals and the state's target of achieving 42 per cent STEM participation by 2025 and TVET programme that now put greater focus on renewable energy, the blue economy and electric vehicle technology, as well as introduce AI, IoT and green technology training.
Meanwhile, its Sabah campus is designed to upskill anyone interested in learning Python, JavaScript and AI from scratch.
Under the Group's foundation arm, Yayasan Gamuda, the academy offers a comprehensive three-month curriculum, focusing on full-stack AI development, including frontend, backend, and AI, Machine Learning and Data Science.
Participants also have the option to extend their training with a three-month internship at Gamuda or its partner organisations.
Their participants are students and industry professionals across multiple sectors, including startup founders, providing hands-on experience through lectures, labs, Google Cloud Skills Boost and a capstone project.
The first cohort will run from July 1 to September 18, 2025. The Academy will be hosted at the Sabah State Library Headquarters for Cohort 1 and Cohort 2, providing a convenient and conducive environment for students to learn.
Also present at the launching ceremony was Gamuda Berhad Group Chief Digital Officer John Lim Ji Xiong.
In his speech, he emphasised Gamuda has consistently been a technology trailblazer, especially in an industry often considered traditional.
'Today, we are harnessing large-language models like Gemini and the power of Google Cloud across all our teams and workloads to transform the way we work and deliver critical projects that affect the lives of everyday citizens. With BotUnify, our in-house platform for AI agents, we are enabling our staff to make better decisions on the ground using our own enterprise data.
'With GLConnect, customers are now able to use GenAI to customise the interiors of their home seamlessly through natural language,' he said.
John added partnership with a global AI leader will empower the people of Sabah, equipping them with the knowledge and capabilities to actively participate in and benefit from the AI revolution.
'The magnificent state of Sabah is no stranger to us. Gamuda has been operating in Sabah since 2016 with Gamuda Land's Bukit Bantayan Residences, a landmark development known for its innovative design and its commitment to harmonious living amidst nature.
'Meanwhile, Gamuda Engineering is rolling out the 187.5-megawatt Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Project that has the capacity to contribute an additional estimated 15 percent to the state's energy capacity. An additional bolt-on water supply scheme will provide much awaited water security. These critical infrastructure projects underscore Gamuda's deep commitment to empowering Sabah's sustainable growth and enhancing the well-being of its people,' he said.
Besides the AI academy, in 2024, Yayasan Gamuda awarded the Gamuda Scholarship to 28 scholars from Sabah.
Also present was Google Cloud's Head of Strategic Pursuits, Public Sector, Southeast Asia, Raja Azmi.