MALAYSIAN SPACE AGENCY FORMED
Angkasa and Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency merged for greater efficiency
THE National Space Agency (Angkasa) and Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA) have been merged to improve work efficiency.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the merged entity called Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) would focus on technology, infrastructure and strategic space application development to help generate revenue for the country.
She said MYSA would be tasked with gathering satellite data and information system to assist public agencies in terms of food security, natural resources, environment and climate change management, disaster management and security.
“For example in agriculture, MYSA can monitor work progress in any agricultural industry with existing satellite facilities and technologies.
“There is no need for officers to go to the ground to monitor the situation.
“The same goes for the fishery sector.
“Fishermen can search for resources by using satellite data to locate areas that have plenty of fish.
“This initiative will help these sectors to generate more income and revenue for the country.
“It will also help the government reduce operation costs by at least 50 per cent and, at the same time, help to boost efficiency in these sectors,” said Yeo at a press conference on the development of the space technology sector at MRSA here.
Yeo, who was on a working visit to MRSA, was accompanied by the agency’s director-general Azlikamil Napiah.
She said the data and information collected could be shared with the private sector.
The information-sharing initiative could help private agencies develop and achieve their own modelling system, as well as intellectual property, generate more income, thus depending less on the government.
“MYSA can also rent out facilities and equipment in its building to these private agencies. This helps generate income.
“The government cannot afford to pay for the equipment’s maintenance fees when they are not being used at all.
“They are expensive to maintain.
“Therefore, the agencies must make full use of the equipment and rent them out to private agencies so that the revenue can pay for the maintenance fees.”