Kuala lumpur: Agriculture and logistics sectors are poised to experience significant changes with the advent of Malaysia's low-altitude economy (LAE), as highlighted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). The LAE encompasses economic activities conducted in lower airspace using drones, unmanned aircraft, and air taxis for various applications such as agriculture, deliveries, infrastructure inspection, surveillance, mapping, disaster response, and passenger transport.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, CAAM's chief executive officer, Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud, revealed that drones are already operational in plantations across northern Malaysia, performing tasks like precision fertilising and crop monitoring. These advancements are expected to enhance efficiency in agriculture significantly.
Norazman elaborated on the potential of the logistics sector, particularly in delivering essential supplies to rural and hard-to-reach areas in Sabah and Sarawak. "Because of our geographical location, this is another area that is viable for us to explore," he stated.
Furthermore, Norazman pointed out the advantages of using drones for surveillance and mapping, a task traditionally performed by helicopters. He cited the example of the extensive 1,900-kilometre pipeline network in Peninsular Malaysia, emphasizing the practicality of deploying drones over helicopters for certain sections in rural areas. Drones not only conduct surveillance but also gather data for analysis, enhancing proactive decision-making in operations.
While drones and air taxis are the most visible components of the LAE, Norazman noted the presence of a larger supporting ecosystem. This includes remote-pilot training organisations, with Malaysia boasting 7,000 qualified drone pilots, as well as aircraft production and manufacturing. The nation's extensive telecommunications infrastructure, comprising over 20,000 towers, plays a crucial role in supporting drone operations.
Additionally, Norazman highlighted Malaysia's substantial investment in data centres to ensure that all operations are analyzed for safety, contributing to a robust LAE framework. He clarified that the forthcoming framework, expected by the end of 2026, aims to complement existing regulations across multiple agencies, fostering a unified approach to the low-altitude economy.