Full Breakdown
Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof Links AI Literacy and Energy Integration at Surau Inauguration
6/15/2026, 6:30:50 AM
Surau Nurul Muslimin Inauguration and Policy Highlights
On 14 June 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof officiated the new Surau Nurul Muslimin building in Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar, Kuching. The ceremony served as a platform for the deputy prime minister to announce initiatives aimed at enhancing artificial-intelligence (AI) literacy among youths through religious institutions and to outline Sarawak’s role in regional energy integration.
Project Background and Community Investment
The surau project originated from a community aspiration dating back to 2004. Land acquisition required negotiations with heirs, resulting in ex-gratia payments totalling RM 280,000. Construction costs were approximately RM 2.6 million, and the building faced contractor changes before completion.
Key Figures and Institutional Roles
- Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation.
- Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) – Lead agency for the proposed Sarawak-Johor undersea cable.
- Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) – Investor in Malaysia’s transmission-system upgrade.
- ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) – Regional body coordinating cross-border electricity standards.
Quantitative Overview
- Surau construction cost: RM 2.6 million.
- Ex-gratia payments to landowners: RM 280,000.
- TNB’s planned transmission-system investment: RM 42 billion (by 2028), including sections operating at 500 kV.
- Proposed Sarawak-Johor cable: 60-70 % of the route traverses Indonesian waters, requiring Indonesian consent before seabed studies commence.
Official Statements on Digital Literacy and Energy Integration
Fadillah emphasized that AI is already embedded in daily life and can improve community outreach when applied at the grassroots level. He warned that rapid AI advances increase the risk of deep-fake content, urging citizens to develop verification skills. Regarding electricity infrastructure, he highlighted the necessity of robust transmission networks to support ASEAN-wide power trading and noted TNB’s commitment to modernise the grid. He also reiterated that the Sarawak-Johor cable will strengthen Malaysia’s participation in the ASEAN Power Grid, pending approval from Indonesia for seabed surveys.
Strategic Significance
Promoting AI education within mosques and suraus aims to bridge digital gaps among younger Muslims, fostering both religious engagement and technological competence. Simultaneously, upgrading transmission capacity and pursuing the undersea cable align Sarawak with regional energy-sharing objectives, potentially enhancing energy security and economic integration across Southeast Asia.
Unresolved Issues and Pending Approvals
The undersea cable project cannot progress to seabed assessment until Indonesia grants route approval. This diplomatic step represents a critical gap in the timeline for the broader Borneo Grid concept, which envisions interconnections among Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, and Kalimantan.
Verbatim Quotes
- “With AI already embedded in daily life, it has the potential to enhance communication, outreach and community engagement if deployed effectively at the grassroots level.” — Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister
- “We need to master this technology so that we can distinguish between what is genuine and what is fake. If we fail to do so, people can easily be influenced by deepfakes and false information,” — Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof
- “We need robust transmission infrastructure as ASEAN countries work towards greater electricity connectivity and cross-border power trading.” — Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof
- “TNB has given its commitment to invest about RM42 billion up to 2028 to upgrade its grid system, including sections that will operate at 500kV capacity,” — Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof
- “We are still waiting for approval on the route so that we can conduct seabed studies in Indonesian waters.” — Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof
Future Steps
Following the inauguration, local religious bodies are expected to design AI-focused programmes for youth. Sarawak Energy will prepare detailed seabed surveys once Indonesian clearance is received, while TNB proceeds with phased upgrades of the 500 kV transmission network. These actions collectively aim to embed digital competence and secure energy connectivity within Sarawak’s development agenda.
