Kota Kinabalu: The State Government intends to promote the use of robotics, drones and automation systems in order to lessen reliance on manual labour.
“Adoption of innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning is one way to alleviate the labour shortage,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
In addition, he said, the State Government was also making efforts to produce a comprehensive and holistic approach on the labour, especially the digital registration of foreign workers and undocumented stateless persons, which is now at the trial stage done by SmartSabah and the Chief Minister’s Department.
“After the digital registration exercise is completed, the Government will undertake an analysis of the statistics gathered and formulate the necessary policies and regulations on how to deal with the illegal immigrants, undocumented and stateless people.
“While the main purpose of the initiative is to resolve the illegal immigrants, undocumented and stateless people issues, the digital registration opens an avenue for them with a digital identification to be employed in Sabah if the Government decides on such a policy,” he said.
He said this would help reduce the labour shortage in Sabah.
“It is also the greatest desire of the State Government to have full authority on labour consistent with Sabah’s rights and autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. It is not a new right to be secured as Sabah has its own Labour Ordinance (Cap. 67) before the existence of Malaysia in 1963.
“It is only a matter of setting the priorities and policy right and then coming up with the necessary rules and regulations under the Sabah Labour Ordinance,” he said.
He said to date, Sabah has achieved a lot in terms of the State’s labour law.
“The Labour Ordinance (Sabah Chapter 67) has already been amended and tabled in the Cabinet in October last year.
“The Sabah Labour Advisory Council will also be set up to look into the implementation of the amended Sabah Labour Ordinance.
“Active participation from employment societies in Sabah are also committed to encourage the implementation of the best practices from recommended international standards to reduce inequalities within the State,” he said.
He said a potential benefit for the State with the restoration of the autonomy and control of labour in Sabah is the additional revenues to be generated, which could potentially bring in additional RM700 million annually for the State coffers.
Jeffrey, who is also Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, said for the agriculture sector, his Ministry together with the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security are encouraging the use of new technologies like drones and mechanisation.
“A similar strategy for the oil palm sector is being promoted by the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities,” he said.
“I have been given presentations on the use of drones and mechanical tools for fertilising, harvesting and handling, and the use of swarm technology of one operator operating multiple drones at the same time.
“Also on the proposed establishment of a Robotics, Drones and Autonomous Systems (Rodas) Technology Centre in Sabah to promote the use of robotics, drones and automation systems to reduce the dependency on manual labour,” he said.
He said at the same time, the State Government is promoting the development of human capital and the equipping of our students with the necessary skills on the use of innovative technologies and automation systems.
“This, in turn, will increase the efficiency of our workforce and help make some of the labour shortage,” he said.
