KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, MALAYSIA December 31, 2025 – The Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) has announced plans to roll out a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training Programme targeted at Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (PMKS) entrepreneurs in the state, with the launch scheduled for early 2026.
Datuk Ewon Benedick, the Minister of MINDET and Deputy Chief Minister III of Sabah, revealed that the initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance digital capabilities and competitiveness among local PMKS entrepreneurs.
The programme will be implemented through a strategic collaboration between MINDET and Pepper Labs, a Malaysian social enterprise known for its work in AI education and social impact projects, including partnerships with Microsoft to promote AI skills.
Ewon expressed appreciation for the proposed cooperation, stating, “This initiative will be launched early next year so that our entrepreneurs can also cultivate the practice of AI in their business operations.”
The announcement came following a courtesy visit by a Pepper Labs delegation, led by its Managing Director Thanaselan Rajendran, to Ewon’s office at Wisma Kewangan in Kota Kinabalu.
Ewon also commended Pepper Labs for selecting the Penampang parliamentary constituency as the location for implementing a federally-funded social enterprise initiative.
“I will continue to place significant focus on the development of PMKS entrepreneurs, including social enterprises (SE) and inclusive businesses (IB) in Sabah,” he added.
The move aligns with growing national and state-level emphasis on digital transformation for SMEs, aiming to equip entrepreneurs with AI tools to improve operations, productivity, and market reach as Malaysia advances into a more technology-driven economy.
Observers see this as a timely boost for Sabah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly for smaller businesses seeking to adopt emerging technologies amid rapid digital evolution.
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