NILAI: The Space Law Moot Court Competition 2025 (PMPA 2025) concluded on a high note with an impressive closing ceremony held at the Dewan Tuanku Canselor, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).
The inaugural national-level competition, organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) in collaboration with USIM and the Malaysian Innovation Foundation (YIM), brought together participants from universities, industries and government agencies to strengthen national literacy in space law an increasingly critical field amid rapid global technological advancement.
This year’s competition saw the participation of 12 teams representing nine higher learning institutions across Malaysia.
In line with USIM’s mandate as a reference centre for both civil and Shariah legal studies, PMPA 2025 embraced a multidisciplinary approach, integrating civil law, Shariah principles, space policy and technological applications.
YIM’s involvement further emphasised youth development, innovation and future-focused technology education as core components of the programme.
PMPA 2025 was also enriched with a series of side events, including the National Space Law Conference 2025, three knowledge-based webinars and podcasts, an exclusive interview session with the MOSTI Minister and the publication of digital learning materials produced by MOSTI, USIM and YIM.
Delivering her closing speech, MOSTI’s Deputy Secretary-General (Planning and Science Culture), Datuk’ Ruziah Shafei, highlighted the growing importance of strengthening Malaysia’s expertise in space law, especially with the rising number of satellites in orbit and the global concern over issues such as orbital congestion.
“Space law is no longer a theoretical discipline; it has become a national and global security necessity. Nations that fail to understand these international obligations risk facing major liabilities and severe security threats,” she said.
Malaysia continues to move steadily in this direction through the implementation of the Malaysian Space Board Act 2022 [Act 834], the adoption of national Space Object Accident Investigation Guidelines, and participation in key United Nations space treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty 1967 (OST) and the Registration Convention 1975 (REG).
Describing PMPA 2025 as a strategic platform, Ruziah emphasised its role in nurturing Malaysia’s next generation of “Future Space Lawyers,” capable of representing the nation at international bodies including the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
She added that the success of PMPA 2025 aligns directly with the objectives of the National Space Policy 2030 (DAN2030), which projects a 1% GDP contribution from the space sector, the development of 5,000 specialised experts, and Malaysia’s positioning as a regional hub for space governance.
MOSTI, through the Malaysian Space Supervisory Division, remains committed to intensifying training programmes, university-industry research collaborations and international partnerships with agencies such as the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).
The closing ceremony gathered participants, lecturers, team advisers, judges and industry representatives who collectively contributed to the successful execution of this landmark competition.
This year’s competition showcased outstanding performances from all teams, with the official results as follows:
Champion: Universiti Malaya (UM)
Runner-Up: Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
Best Mooter (Individual): Universiti Malaya (UM)
Best Memorial (Two Teams): Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
In her final remarks, Ruziah reminded attendees of the broader mission beyond academic victory.
“Success is not measured by trophies, but by our collective responsibility to safeguard outer space for a peaceful, secure and sustainable future,” she said.
The ceremony concluded with the official closing declaration of PMPA 2025, marking an important milestone in Malaysia’s continued leadership in shaping the future of space law.
