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Contribution long abstract

This PhD research examines the role of judicial technologies in shaping access to justice and governance in Sabah, Malaysia. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, it analyzes two key initiatives within the state’s legal system: AI-supported sentencing

for criminal cases and the Mobile Court program. Both initiatives reflect significant efforts to address systemic inefficiencies while extending the judiciary’s reach into diverse socio-legal contexts.

AI-supported sentencing, implemented exclusively for criminal cases, seeks to standardize judicial decision-making and mitigate bias. However, its reliance on algorithmic outputs introduces challenges related to transparency, judicial discretion, and the broader implications of automated decision-making processes. The Mobile Court program facilitates access to legal services in remote and underserved regions, addressing pressing issues such as statelessness and the registration of births and marriages. Beyond its judicial function, the program also delivers auxiliary services, including healthcare and infrastructure support, thus expanding its impact on community welfare.

Sabah, one of Malaysia’s poorest states, has long contested its position within the federation, seeking greater autonomy and equitable resource distribution. The adoption of judicial technologies serves as both a symbol and instrument in this

struggle, with Sabah’s proactive implementation of these innovations reflecting efforts to assert autonomy and modernize on its own terms. At the same time, the judiciary’s expanding presence into Sabah also reflects broader federal strategies to

consolidate control and integrate the state more deeply into the national framework. These dynamics not only underscore the contested role of technology in legal governance but also align with similar tensions across Southeast Asia, where local autonomy and state power frequently intersect.