Companies based in Sabah and Sarawak can get the same HRD Corp claimable AI training available in Peninsular Malaysia, delivered either on-site in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri and Bintulu, or through a live online cohort. Dr Muhamad Hariz Muhamad Adnan (drhariz.com), an HRD Corp certified AI trainer and Senior Lecturer at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), runs both formats for East Malaysian employers, with sessions in Bahasa Melayu, English, or bilingually.
Why East Malaysian companies are asking about AI training now
For years, corporate AI training in Malaysia was heavily concentrated around Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley, simply because most trainers and vendor academies are based there. That gap left companies in Sabah and Sarawak with fewer choices: fly a trainer in at extra cost, send staff to Peninsular Malaysia for a public course, or skip structured AI upskilling entirely. As generative AI tools become standard in reporting, customer service, and operations across every state, that gap is closing. HRD Corp claimable programmes, live online delivery, and trainers willing to travel have made structured AI training realistic for East Malaysian employers without the old cost and distance penalty.
On-site training in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri and Bintulu
What on-site delivery actually involves
An on-site AI workshop in East Malaysia follows the same structure as one delivered in Petaling Jaya or Shah Alam: a needs discussion beforehand, a half-day or full-day session at your office or a nearby training venue, and hands-on practice using tools your team already has access to (ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or your organisation’s licensed AI platform). The difference is logistics, not content quality. Dr Hariz and similarly certified trainers typically travel to Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri, or Bintulu for confirmed group bookings, with travel and accommodation built into the training quotation rather than hidden as a surprise cost.
Logistics East Malaysian employers should plan for
Three things affect cost and scheduling for on-site sessions outside the Peninsula: flight availability (Kota Kinabalu and Kuching have frequent direct flights from KL, while Miri and Bintulu may need a connecting leg), minimum group size to justify travel, and lead time for booking, since a trainer’s calendar for East Malaysian dates fills around school holidays and state public holidays specific to Sabah and Sarawak. Booking six to eight weeks ahead gives more flexibility on dates and trainer availability.
Live online cohorts: the practical alternative
For companies that cannot yet justify a full on-site booking, or that have staff spread across several East Malaysian towns, a live online cohort is often the more practical starting point. The session runs over video conferencing with the same hands-on exercises, screen-sharing, and Q&A as an in-person class, just without travel time or cost. Live online training also makes it easier to run shorter, more frequent sessions (for example, a two-hour module every two weeks) rather than committing an entire team to a single full-day block. For many Sabah and Sarawak SMEs, this format delivers similar outcomes to on-site training at a lower total cost, particularly when staff are based in different towns within the same state.
HRD Corp claims for East Malaysian employers
HRD Corp claimability does not change based on where in Malaysia your company or your training is located. An employer registered with HRD Corp and contributing the Human Resources Development levy can claim eligible AI training courses under the SBL (Skim Bantuan Latihan) scheme, or apply for SBL-Khas where the full claim is approved in advance, regardless of whether the session happens in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, or Kota Kinabalu. The claim process, documentation, and approval timeline through HRD Corp’s e-TRiS system are identical nationwide. What does change is that on-site sessions in East Malaysia may include claimable travel and accommodation costs for the trainer as part of the total programme fee, so it is worth asking your provider to itemise this clearly before submitting a claim.
Which sectors in Sabah and Sarawak benefit most
Oil and gas and energy
Engineering, procurement, and back-office teams in the oil and gas sector concentrated around Miri, Bintulu, and Labuan are increasingly using generative AI for report drafting, document summarisation, and safety documentation review, making this one of the fastest-adopting sectors in East Malaysia.
Plantation and agribusiness
Plantation companies headquartered in Sabah and Sarawak are exploring AI for yield forecasting support, administrative automation, and translating technical agronomy content into Bahasa Melayu or local languages for estate-level staff.
Tourism and hospitality
Hotels, tour operators, and hospitality groups in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching are training front-office and marketing staff to use AI for guest communication drafting, social media content, and multilingual customer service scripts.
State agencies and GLCs
State government-linked companies and agencies in both states are running AI literacy sessions for administrative staff as part of broader digitalisation initiatives, often structured as HRD Corp claimable programmes for civil-service-adjacent bodies.
How Dr Hariz delivers AI training for Sabah and Sarawak teams
Dr Muhamad Hariz Muhamad Adnan is a Doctor in Artificial Intelligence and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Computing and Meta-Technology, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), and an HRD Corp certified AI trainer focused on AI-driven digital transformation in education and the workplace. For Sabah and Sarawak clients, he offers both on-site workshops (subject to travel scheduling) and live online cohorts, with content adapted to the client’s sector and delivered in Bahasa Melayu, English, or bilingually depending on the audience.
Frequently asked questions
Is on-site AI training available in Sabah and Sarawak?
Yes. On-site AI training is available in Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, and other East Malaysian towns for confirmed group bookings, with travel and accommodation typically included in the training quotation.
Can East Malaysian companies claim AI training under HRD Corp?
Yes. HRD Corp claimability applies nationwide, so companies in Sabah and Sarawak can claim eligible AI training under SBL or SBL-Khas on the same terms as employers in Peninsular Malaysia, provided they are registered and levy-contributing.
Is live online training as effective as on-site training?
Live online training covers the same hands-on content and exercises as an on-site session. It tends to work particularly well for teams spread across multiple towns or for companies that want shorter, more frequent sessions rather than a single full-day workshop.
Which industries in Sabah and Sarawak are adopting AI training fastest?
Oil and gas, plantation and agribusiness, tourism and hospitality, and state government-linked agencies are among the earliest adopters of structured AI training in East Malaysia.
How do we book AI training for a Sabah or Sarawak office?
Contact the trainer directly with your preferred location, group size, and format (on-site or live online). Booking six to eight weeks ahead gives more flexibility around travel scheduling and trainer availability.
Related: Corporate AI Training in Kuala Lumpur & Klang Valley (2026) and Corporate AI Training in Penang and Johor (2026).
Ready to bring AI training to your Sabah or Sarawak team? Learn more about corporate AI training with Dr Hariz or contact us to discuss on-site or live online dates.
