Paya besar: The government is expanding the development of artificial intelligence (AI) skills comprehensively so that it is not only concentrated in urban areas, but also involves residents in small towns and rural areas, Deputy Economy Minister Mohd Shahar Abdullah said. He emphasized the necessity of involving all levels of society, including grassroots groups such as community leaders, small entrepreneurs, school students, and university students, in AI skills development.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government's commitment through the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is highly structured and focused to ensure that AI development does not only take place in major cities but also in small towns and especially in rural areas. Mohd Shahar, who is also Paya Besar MP, highlighted the importance of democratizing AI values to encompass the entire spectrum of society, ensuring both the educated community and those on the ground are included.

One of the focuses of the 13MP is to strengthen technology literacy to enable the country to transition from the concept of 'Made In Malaysia' to 'Made By Malaysia'. Mohd Shahar stated that for this goal to be realized, all levels of society must understand and master technology literacy, paving the way for the country to produce more local creators, developers, and technology leaders.

The AI MyMahir Tour programme, organized by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, was launched in the Paya Besar parliamentary constituency. It brought together over 400 participants from various segments of society, including university and school students, teachers, entrepreneurs, housewives, women, Felda youths, local communities, and members of the public. The tour had previously been held in eight parliamentary constituencies, namely Kota Kinabalu, Sepanggar, Papar, Bangi, Sungai Buloh, Kluang, Parit Sulong, and Sekijang.