JOHOR BARU: The government’s plan to launch a mobile application for the registration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) such as drones is a long-awaited move that will modernise UAV regulation, says Datuk Lester Tay Kean Boon.
The Malaysia UAV Developments Association (Muda) co- founder and president said the drone community has been discussing the matter for years, and that the new platform will mark a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards digital integration and regulatory efficiency.
“It’s a good start for national development in the drone space. This initiative has been proposed before, and it’s encouraging to see the government putting it into action,” he said.
Drone regulations have been in place since 2016, with amendments made in 2018 and again in 2022.
The current focus, Tay said, is not about rewriting the rules but about digitising the process to make it more user-friendly.
“Previously, drone users had to fill in physical forms, submit supporting documents, make manual payments and wait for weeks for approval via email.
“With the app, everything is consolidated – users can now register and receive authorisation in just 10 minutes,” he said when contacted on Tuesday.
Tay said the concept is already being used in European countries, which adopted similar platforms nearly a decade ago.
Malaysia’s version, still in the pipeline, will need to go through a trial phase to ensure user-friendliness and public acceptance.
“The app will provide clear guidelines, no-fly zones and dos and don’ts, but most importantly, only licensed drone operators will be able to register.
“Just like how one needs a driving licence to operate a motorcycle or a car, drone operators must also have a valid pilot licence to fly legally,” he said.
The app will require users to submit their drone pilot licence number during registration.
Tay also pointed out that fees may vary depending on the intended purpose of the drone usage.
“For example, those using drones in the agriculture or surveying sectors may face higher fees compared to content creators or hobbyists.
“This helps align regulation with the level of commercial activity and risk involved,” he added.
Tay expressed hope that with proper rollout and industry collaboration, Malaysia can keep pace with global drone standards and unlock the full economic potential of UAV technology.
