KUALA LUMPUR: Investment in digital infrastructure needs to be enhanced in Sabah, particularly in expanding high-speed internet coverage to rural areas.
The Editor-in-Chief of Utusan Borneo Sabah, Datuk Lichong Angkui, said the move is crucial to enable Sabah to move quickly within Malaysia’s digital-era media landscape.
He acknowledged that Sabah still lags behind, especially in terms of infrastructure, access to technology, and talent development.
“In many rural areas, inconsistent internet access makes it difficult for local media organizations to fully transition to digital platforms.
“This situation limits the ability of journalists in Sabah to compete on equal footing with their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia, who enjoy more advanced technological facilities,” he said at the Media Forum of National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) here today.
Lichong, who is also a Council Member of the Malaysia-Indonesia Journalists Friendship Association (ISWAMI), said the lack of exposure to new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics also slows down the transformation process.
According to him, many media organizations in Sabah still operate with limited resources, making investment in digital innovation a lower priority.
He said that without sufficient support in terms of training and funding, the capability gap will continue to widen and affect the quality and competitiveness of local media content.
“To address these challenges, investment in digital infrastructure must be accelerated, especially in expanding high-speed internet coverage to rural areas.
“In addition, targeted training programs focusing on digital skills, AI, and data journalism need to be expanded to media practitioners in Sabah,” he said.
He added that collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and media organizations is also important to build an ecosystem that supports innovation and knowledge sharing.
“Sabah needs to be given special attention in the implementation of national initiatives such as the Media Innovation Fund so that no region is left behind in this wave of transformation.
“An inclusive and balanced approach will ensure that media in Sabah are not only able to keep pace with the digital wave, but also contribute unique perspectives that reflect the diversity of Malaysia’s voices.
“With strategic and continuous measures, Sabah has the potential to become an important part of the future of the nation’s media,” he said.
