Commentary: Accelerating Malaysia’s Sovereign Space Tech Ambition

MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd is hoping that the upcoming Budget 2027 announcement on Oct 9 can prioritise sovereign space tech investment that strengthens Malaysia’s control over critical infrastructure and data, while advancing national resilience, economic competitiveness and strategic independence.

According to its Chief Operating Officer Yau Chyong Lim, Malaysia’s space sector generated RM6.2 billion in revenue from 2017 and 2024 and is targeted to exceed RM10 billion by 2030. With the 2027-2030 implementation of Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030), Budget 2027 can play a pivotal role in translating this ambition into sustainable economic growth, technological advancement and national resilience.

Building on this momentum, MEASAT has established end-to-end sovereign satellite connectivity capabilities that keep critical national communications, infrastructure and data under Malaysian control. To further strengthen Malaysia’s space ecosystem, MEASAT proposes five priorities for Budget 2027:

1. Prioritise sovereign space capabilities
   1. Recognise Malaysian-controlled space assets and capabilities as a national investment priority.
   1. Incorporate sovereignty considerations into procurement for critical communications and national security applications.
   1. Strengthen local ownership, control and participation across national space programmes.
2. Support long-term infrastructure investment in space industry
   1. Establish investment frameworks aligned with the long development cycles of space infrastructure.
   1. Encourage public-private partnership in multi-orbit platforms and nationally governed data systems.
   1. Provide stable and consistent policies that support sustained industry investment.
3. Accelerate integrated Space Tech applications
   1. Promote the integration of Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and terrestrial networks to meet diverse operational requirements.
   1. Expand the use of Earth Observation, satellite Internet-of-Things, artificial intelligence and analytics for disaster management, maritime surveillance, precision agriculture, rural healthcare and smart infrastructure.
4. Strengthen space technology commercialisation by local companies
   1. Support the development, testing, and adoption of locally developed Space Tech solutions.
   1. Foster collaboration among industry, start-ups, universities and research institutions. c. Facilitate access to regional and international markets for Malaysian companies.
5. Develop specialised research and talent
   1. Encourage R&D industry-academia collaboration and intellectual property creation in the space sector.
   1. Build local expertise in engineering, telecommunications, data analysis, remote- sensing, Al and space regulation.
   1. Promote technology transfer, high-value employment and indigenous innovation.

Malaysia already possesses a strong foundation of sovereign orbital rights and spectrum resources, satellites and ground infrastructure, engineering expertise and regulatory capability. These priorities will build on existing strengths while supporting the aspiration of MSE2030 and Dasar Angkasa Negara 2030.

As MEASAT marks 30 years since the launch of MEASAT-1 and MEASAT-2, the company continues to play a role across Malaysia’s space technology value chain, including talent development, R&D, design, manufacturing, launch, operations, support services and commercialisation. It also plans to continue working with the government, the Malaysian Space Agency, industry players, universities and research institutions in support of Malaysia’s space agenda beyond 2030.