KUCHING: Sarawak is enhancing the safety of its low-altitude airspace as new regulations for drone operations are introduced alongside broader aviation safety initiatives statewide.
Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has rolled out an updated airspace segregation framework to address the rapid rise in drone activity. “This framework gives us clear and structured drone zones, danger areas and BVLOS routes, ensuring unmanned and manned aircraft can operate safely within the same airspace,” he said. He said this during his ministerial winding-up session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting on Tuesday.
Dato Sri Lee said the enhanced structure supports Sarawak’s growing use of drones in agriculture, infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, rural logistics and long-range offshore operations, in addition to strengthening emergency response for floods and forest fires. He added that the ministry will continue working with CAAM and industry partners to advance safe, innovative and scalable drone operations, including advocating for testing and training corridors.
On the Sarawak Aviation Safety Programme (SASP), Dato Sri Lee emphasised that safety remains the state’s top priority. This year’s efforts included the Aviation Safety Seminar in Sibu, jointly held with CAAM and UTS for 250 participants, and a Safety Awareness Campaign in Limbang involving more than 350 students and stakeholders. He said these engagements demonstrate Sarawak’s commitment to building a strong safety culture as aviation activities expand across the state. -UKASnews
Reporter: Alezxandria Kapple
Photographer: Jaed Tepus
