Malaysia is accelerating its ambitions to become a regional space technology leader with the official establishment of the SpaceTech Malaysia Association (SMA). The association, which held its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) this week, is the nation’s leading industry-led organisation dedicated to advancing Malaysia’s space economy through strategic alignment with national government initiatives.

SMA’s formation marks a pivotal milestone in Malaysia’s space journey, bringing together space industry players, academia and research institutions, government ministries and agencies, and both foreign and domestic investors (FDI & DDI) under a unified strategy to build space talent accelerate technology development, attract investment, and enhance national capabilities. Originally seeded as the PIKOM SpaceTech Chapter in 2021 under the presidency of Dato’ Dr. Sean Seah, SMA has evolved from a discussion platform into a registered national entity operating at the intersection of industry, academia, government, and international cooperation. Formally registered under the Societies Act in 2023, SMA acknowledges PIKOM’s key role in incubating the early foundation of Malaysia’s space tech community and providing the institutional support that allowed the ecosystem to take root, expand, and grow.

“Space is no longer just about exploration—it is an economic and national security imperative. Malaysia must act decisively to shape its future in the space economy. SMA will work closely with our members, local & global Space ecosystem players, and the government to drive this agenda, ensuring our nation secures its place in the global space sector,” said Dato’ Dr. Sean Seah, Chairman of SMA.

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Malaysia’s Space Agenda: A National Priority

The Malaysian government has outlined a bold vision through the National Space Policy 2030 (Dasar Angkasa Negara 2030) and the Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030) framework. These focus areas include:

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Satellite Sovereignty & Infrastructure Development – Expanding domestic satellite capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign networks for communication, navigation, and security.
Aerospace & SpaceTech Industry Growth – Empowering local companies to build high value technologies across the space supply chain.
Space Data & National Security – Leveraging Earth observation and geospatial data for climate resilience, disaster management, and defence.
Global Positioning & Collaboration – Enhancing Malaysia’s role in regional and international space diplomacy, AI-driven applications, and deep-space exploration.

SMA: The Industry Catalyst for Malaysia’s Space Growth

SMA is poised to be the key industry partner supporting national space objectives, with a focus on the following:

Regulatory Reforms – Collaborating with MCMC, MYSA, Bahagian Penguasa Angkasa, and others to modernise licensing, spectrum management, and commercial space regulations.
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Investment & Market Growth – Connecting venture capital, government-linked investment arms, and global aerospace firms to drive local industry scale-up.
Talent & Workforce Development – Partnering with universities and TVET institutions to prepare Malaysia’s next generation of space professionals.

New Leadership to Drive Malaysia’s Space Strategy

The newly elected Executive Committee (2025–2026) is comprised of distinguished leaders from across the Malaysian space and technology landscape:

Executive Committee (2025–2026)

Chairman: Dato’ Dr. Sean Seah Kok Wah - SCCW Holding Sdn. Bhd.

Deputy Chairman: Mr. Yau Chyong Lim - MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd.

Deputy Chairman: Dr. William Lim - Angkasa-X Innovation Sdn. Bhd.

Secretary: Dato’ SK Chong - Swift Bridge Technologies Sdn. Bhd.

Deputy Secretary: Afiah Hafiz - ASEAN PT Associates

Treasurer: Gs. Haji Khairuddin - Sirus Strategic Group Sdn. Bhd.

Deputy Treasurer: Hafez Murtza - Apadilangit / Langit Kita Sdn. Bhd.

National Council Representatives

Prof. Oliver Liu – Huawei Technologies Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Hj. Norhizam – Mercu Tekun Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor)
Mr. Lee Kok Lim – Mechmodule Tech Sdn. Bhd. (Penang)
Sean Liak – SMA Sdn. Bhd. (Sarawak/Sabah)

Strategic Key Initiatives to Elevate the Ecosystem

To align with national space ambitions, SMA has launched six key initiatives:

National Satellite Infrastructure & Data Sovereignty – Supporting Malaysian-built satellite development and data control.
Policy & Regulatory Advancement – Driving forward-looking regulations for commercial space activities and spectrum use.
Innovation & Technology Development – Accelerating space-focused R&D, satellite engineering, and AI-integrated applications.
Investment & Market Access – Positioning Malaysia as a competitive destination for space investments and technology transfers.
Global Partnerships & Space Diplomacy – Expanding Malaysia’s footprint in regional and international cooperation.
Talent Development & STEAM Education – Cultivating a resilient space workforce through outreach, scholarships, and training.

A Call for Public-Private Collaboration

SMA will represent Malaysia at key international engagements to elevate national visibility and encourage cross-border partnerships, including:

National Space Camps – Inspiring young talent through STEAM education
LIMA 2025 (Langkawi, 20–24 May) – Promoting space as a pillar of maritime-aerospace integration
76th International Astronautical Congress (Sydney, 29 Sept – 3 Oct) – Positioning Malaysia on the global innovation stage
APSCC 2025 (Taipei, 4–6 Nov) – Engaging with Asia-Pacific’s satellite and spectrum stakeholders

“These efforts align with Malaysia’s broader goal of becoming a serious contributor to the global space economy, projected to exceed USD 1 trillion by 2040,” said Dato’ Dr. Sean Seah.

An Open Call for Strategic Participation

SMA invites government agencies, corporate leaders, startups, investors, and research institutions to collaborate in building Malaysia’s space future.

First-year membership is free, with access to:

Government and policy consultations
Investment and market expansion platforms
International space industry engagement and partnerships

“This is the moment for Malaysia to claim its place in the global space economy. We call on all stakeholders—government, academia, and industry—to join us in making this vision a reality,” said Dato’ SK Chong, Secretary of SMA.

This content is provided by SpaceTech Malaysia.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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