Transport Minister: Many Sarawakians still unaware operating drones, unmanned aircraft requires necessary permit

(Seated from left) Dr Jerip, Lee and Norazman in a group photo with others at CAAM headquarters on Dec 4, 2023.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5: Many Sarawakians are still unaware that operating drones or unmanned aircraft requires a licence and permit, says Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

He said this was evident as there have been a number of cases involving drones used in recording festivals and events being seized by the police for not having the necessary approval and permits recently.

“I have proposed that a road show be conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) with the assistance of Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) to brief the public on the procedures and regulatory requirements to apply for permits to operate their drones for commercial, professional and recreational purposes.

“This was agreed at a meeting between MOTS and CAAM yesterday (Dec 4) in conjunction with the acquisition of MASwings by the Sarawak government,” he said in a statement.

The meeting was attended by MOTS delegation led by Lee, CAAM chief executive officer Dato Captain Norazman Mahmud and senior officers relating to aviation operation procedures and regulatory requirement.

Lee (5th left) presents a memento to Foo while others look on at CAE Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd building on Dec 4, 2023.

On the same day, the Sarawak delegation visited CAE Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd in Sepang, Selangor – a training centre for airline pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground crew.

During the visit, the delegation received a comprehensive briefing from CAE Kuala Lumpur’s Area General Manager Kevin Foo and his management team on the operations and training services provided by CAE. The delegation also toured the training facilities including the flight simulators.

The Sarawak delegation included Deputy Minister for Transport Sarawak (Aviation and Road) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, MOTS permanent secretary Dato Alice Jawan Empaling, MOTS Aviation Technical Advisor Sio Yew Hua, and other senior officers. — DayakDaily