Malaysia Moves Closer to Establishing Its First Rocket Launch Pad

Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: Malaysia has taken a significant step toward realizing its ambition of establishing the country’s first rocket launch pad, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation announced on Wednesday.

The ministry confirmed that the government will soon review the first completed preliminary feasibility study on the project, marking a key milestone in Malaysia’s effort to become a regional space hub.

Deputy Minister Datuk Mohamad Yusof Apdal said a full report from the Pahang state government will be evaluated by a multi-agency committee in the near future. He also noted that the ministry had received an interim feasibility report from the Sabah government earlier this year and is awaiting the full report for further review.

“We believe this initiative can make Malaysia a strategic hub in the regional space industry,” Mohamad Yusof said during the Ministry Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat. “It will create new jobs, promote technology transfer, and enhance our global competitiveness.”

He added that collaboration on the project will continue through existing platforms with leading international space agencies, including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

According to the deputy minister, potential sites are being assessed against 58 elements across eight key areas, including cost, financing, environmental factors, risk assessment, and technical expertise.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang earlier announced that preliminary feasibility studies had begun on proposals from Sabah and Pahang, later confirming in September that Sabah, Pahang, and Sarawak were shortlisted as possible locations.

The Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) has set a target to establish Southeast Asia’s first operational rocket launch pad by 2029, in line with the objectives of the National Space Policy 2030.