Lundu-Sematan area identified as satellite launch pads

KUCHING: The Lundu-Sematan area has been identified as the location for satellite launches in Malaysia.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg explained that the area was chosen due to its proximity to the Equator and its strategic position as a hub for the country’s aerospace industry.

“In the national physical development meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently, we (Sarawak) were identified as a satellite launch site because we are close to the Equator.

“Hence, we identified the area maybe near Lundu, Sematan because it is closer to the Equator.”

He said this when met by reporters after officiating at the launching ceremony of the Kembara KASIH programme of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) 2024 and launching of the Mobile One-Stop Social Support Centre (PSSS) at Kuching Waterfront, here, today (Sunday).

Abang Johari added that the state government would collaborate with the National Aerospace Industry to ensure that the state is better prepared in terms of workforce for the initiative.

He announced that i-CATS University College and the Swinburne University of Technology have been tasked with establishing new study centres or faculties dedicated to aerospace-related fields.

“Moreover, recognising that satellites are crucial for data capture, we are collaborating with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor to leverage data from our Land and Survey Department,” he added.

“This is important because the space industry is comprehensive, and one aspect is the satellite, the second is semiconductors as they contain chips including avionics, and the third is satellite components.

“This is the future in terms of our economic development,” said Abang Johari.

Previously, the media reported that Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Sarawak was proposed as the hub of the country’s aerospace industry as the state has shown great potential in the industry, especially in the commitment to produce skill workers for the sector.