Malaysia Must Explore Drone Technology as New Economic Driver – PM
SERDANG : Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants Malaysia to immediately explore new technologies and fields, including the drone industry, to ensure the country remains competitive and emerges as a more successful economy.
He said the country had previously succeeded in the rubber, industrial and semiconductor sectors, and now Malaysia is becoming one of the key strengtheners in the region in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres.
“If Malaysia wants to become a more successful and economically robust nation, we must immediately, quickly and swiftly explore new technologies and fields.
“Drones are a field linked to digital and AI, and we must build a suitable and appropriate ecosystem for it,” he said in a speech at the closing ceremony of the MyDrone 2026 Expo at the Malaysia Agricultural Expo Park (MAEPS), here today.
According to him, the UAV market is expected to exceed US$55 billion by 2030, thus proving that the technology has emerged as a powerful catalyst for innovation and economic growth.
“The value of this technology cannot be underestimated because it not only supports the defence sector but is also capable of enhancing national resilience and improving the quality of public service delivery,” he said.
Anwar said political stability and the implementation of clear policies are among the important factors in attracting investors to the country, particularly in new technology industries.
“First, political stability is necessary because without it we cannot attract investors.
“Investors will come when we talk about strategic policies and new industrial plans. They know that although some flexibility is needed because this is new innovation, there is clarity in policy,” he said.
According to him, the government has instructed all relevant agencies to provide the necessary support to the UAV industry so that industry players do not have to worry about the direction of government policy.
“I have asked the government, the Cabinet, scientific research enterprises and all relevant agencies to provide all the necessary support so that they do not have to worry about clarity because the policy is already clear,” he said.
He said drone technology not only holds significance in the defence sector but is also capable of helping to increase productivity and being used in rescue operations and disaster management.
“The value of this drone technology cannot be considered small. It is for jobs, economic progress, defence and also to support our people and, importantly, to improve the quality of public services,” he said.
Anwar said the government is committed to developing the country’s UAV industry ecosystem, including in the aspects of research, investment, testing as well as collaboration between industry, government, research institutions and universities.
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