By Shikin Louis & Chris Bishop
KUCHING, Sept 15: Sematan in the Lundu district has been identified as Malaysia’s satellite launch site, says Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said this followed Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision during a meeting in Putrajaya last month to pick Sarawak to be the site of the nation’s first rocket launch pad.
“The identified site is in Lundu-Sematan due to its strategic location near the equator for the launch of the satellite.
“This means we have to teach our youths about the aerospace industry. That is why we have established an aerospace faculty at i-CATS University College,” he said when speaking during the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development’s (KPWKM) Kembara Kasih Programme held at Kuching Waterfront here today.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government will work with the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) to launch the satellite apart from preparing the skilled workforce for the space industry.
“The aerospace industry includes satellites and semiconductors because we need to produce chips, including avionics (for spacecraft), and manufacture other components for satellites, drones, and aircrafts.
“We have appointed i-CATS University College and Swinburne University of Technology to work together in establishing a new programme—Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering,” he added.
Touching on satellite data, Abang Johari mentioned that Sarawak through Land and Survey Department (JTS) has been collaborating with Johor’s Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to set up a joint satellite laboratory and for sharing of expertise on geological data and comprehensive land research. — DayakDaily
