PUTRAJAYA: A permit-like approval from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) is required to fly a drone with camera weighing over 20 kilogrammes.
DCA director-general Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said the approval was to ensure that such a machine would not be misused.
"DCA does not prohibit the use of drones, we are only regulating the operational aspects in accordance with the provisions under the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016, which came into effect on April 15 last year," he told Bernama here yesterday.
He said this was because the use of drones could threaten public safety and with a camera, the machine could also be used as a surveillance tool.
"The drone is also capable of carrying bombs to cause destruction in specific locations, just like what’s happening in conflict-stricken countries," he said.
As such, he said despite the approval, drones should not be flown over 400 feet above the earth’s surface and within 50 metres from the crowds during take-off and landing.
Individuals who violated the regulation could be fined up to RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both, if convicted, while any organisation or company found to have committed the offence was liable for a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
However, he said, DCA was still discussing with several parties, including the Royal Malaysian Police, on the possibility of drones being used as part of their services.
Prior to this, the DCA has listed Putrajaya, Parliament building, Istana Negara, police stations, prisons and airports as no-fly zone areas for drones for security reasons. -- BERNAMA