Sarawak set to pioneer AI-powered child screening programme in regional first through Japan collaboration

Abang Johari (centre) during a photo call with Fatimah (front row, 7th left) and Matsuzaka (front row, 7th right) at Satria Pertiwi Complex on April 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, April 22: Sarawak is poised to lead the way in Malaysia and potentially the region in introducing a pioneering AI-powered digital child screening programme delivered through a gamified approach, in collaboration with Japanese company ToyEight.

In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the initiative marks the first of its kind in Malaysia and could well be the first in the region.

“It is hoped that Sarawak will be the first to fully implement this model,” she said during a press conference after a courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex today.

She added that, according to ToyEight co-founder and co-chief executive officer Shun Matsuzaka, following the successful pilot phase, the collaborative programme with SeDidik is expected to be fully developed and ready for implementation by June 2027.

On Tuesday, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between SeDidik Sdn Bhd and ToyBox Creations and Technologies Sdn Bhd (ToyEight Holdings Inc.) to develop and implement an AI-driven child development screening and intervention programme.

Fatimah said an impact assessment will be carried out once the programme is rolled out, noting that the pilot project had already shown highly positive outcomes.

She also highlighted the model’s wider potential, saying it could be expanded beyond Sarawak, including to Japan.

“Previously, we looked to Japan as a reference; now Japan can also look at what is being implemented in Sarawak,” she added. — DayakDaily