KUALA LUMPUR: The National Space Agency (Angkasa) and Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA) have been merged into one agency to improve work efficiencies by optimising the use of existing resources and facilities.
The combined entity, Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), would focus on technology, infrastructure and strategic space application development to help generate significant revenues for the country, said Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin.
She said the agency would be tasked with gathering comprehensive satellite data and information systems to assist various public agencies effectively in terms of food security, natural resources, environment and climate change management; disaster management; and security.
“For example, in agriculture, MYSA can monitor work progress in any agricultural industries by using existing satellite facilities and technologies. There is no need for the officers to go down to the ground and monitor the situation.
“The same goes with the fishing sector. Fishermen can search for resources by using satellite data to locate areas that have plenty of fish. This initiative would help these sectors generate more income and revenues for the country.
“This would also help the government reduce operational costs by at least 50 per cent and, at the same time, help boost work efficiency in these sectors,” said Yeo at a press conference on the development of the space technology sector at MRSA here.
Yeo, who was on a working visit to the MRSA, was accompanied by the agency’s director general Azlikamil Napiah.
She also said the data and information collected can be shared with the private sector.
She said the information sharing could help private agencies develop and achieve their own modelling system, as well as intellectual property in order to generate more income, thus depending less on the government.
“MYSA can also rent out facilities and equipment in their building to these private agencies. This also helps generate income.
“The government cannot afford to pay for the maintenance fees on this equipment when it is not being used at all. They are very expensive to maintain.
“Therefore, the agencies must make full use of this equipment and rent it out to private agencies so that the revenue can help to pay for the maintenance fees. We should optimise the use of these facilities, for what we call asset sweating,” she said.