With the estimated growth protection of RM42t by 2030, the ecosystem players can cover and collaborate with space-related players
by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / pic by BERNAMA
THE National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom) aims its SpaceTech Initiative Ecosystem, to be the first for the Asean region, saying that Malaysia has great potential in building its own space tech system.
Chairman Dr Sean Seah (picture) said the strategic direction and programme of the initiative will be aligned closely to the pillars of National Space Policy 2030 (NSP 2030) to contribute at least RM3.2 billion or 0.3% to the GDP by 2030 and expected to create 500 new jobs.
He said Malaysia has been at the forefront of space technology since the early 2000s with the setting up of specialised agencies to spearhead the nascent industry which enables the country to develop the necessary technical expertise and talent for the SpaceTech ecosystem development.
“Pikom will become the centre of the voice of the SpaceTech industry based on its expertise in the technology sector and system-integration expertise which are the backbone of the programme and satellite engineering.
“With the estimated growth protection of US$10 trillion (RM42.3 trillion) by 2030, the ecosystem players can cover and collaborate with space-related players as the industry needs all parties to work together cohesively to build the SpaceTech ecosystem in Malaysia.
“We have been seeing the pocket of interest in SpaceTech here and there over the past couple of years and why we are not collaborating and developing the ecosystem together.
“The industry needs all parties to work cohesively to build the SpaceTech ecosystem in Malaysia and I believe it is time for us to unify, invite all the like-minded SpaceTech players in the country and across the world to come and take part in this mutual goal together,” Seah added.
He said Malaysia aims to launch 500 low Earth orbit satellites in the next 10 years as it is currently filing to secure the arbiter of the slot application to the International Telecommunication Union in the next few years.
According to him, the satellite will provide connectivity to the rural area, provide Internet of Things applications, logistic tracking and many other uses for Malaysia.
“You can even build a satellite, but without the slot, nobody will launch for you. In order to do so, we need to have the technology, the team for research, development and design talent.
“That’s why we must form this SpaceTech Malaysia initiative, not only to put the technology companies together but to attract more investment into Malaysia to build up this space tech that makes Malaysia become an indoor space in Asean,” he said.
Recently, the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry is developing a blueprint called the Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (Malaysia Space-X 2030) to drive growth and create a sustainable national space sector ecosystem.
Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim said the blueprint outlined a 10-year strategy, in line with the NSP 2030, especially the fourth thrust which outlines efforts to contribute towards the country’s economy and prosperity.
Ahmad Amzad said the programme had the potential to increase the growth of the satellite component manufacturing industry as well as the data-based downstream industry based on space technology and the ancillary industry.
Through the Malaysia Space-X 2030, he said, the Malaysian Space Agency is also developing the Space Industry Strategic Plan 2030 that will set the goals, focus and prioritise various space technology activities to drive the local space industry to be more competitive.