SIBU: Drones will play a crucial role in transforming Sarawak’s connectivity and service delivery, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas, says state Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
He said Sarawak’s vast land mass and sparsely distributed interior communities remain heavily reliant on small aircraft operating from Short Take-Off and Landing airfields (STOLports), which are often subject to weather disruptions.
“In this regard, the Low Altitude Economy, through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drone and future electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technologies, may provide breakthrough solutions to address the unique logistics and mobility challenges in our region,” Lee said at an Aviation Safety Seminar on Wednesday (Oct 8).
He added that these technologies could connect remote communities more reliably, safely, and sustainably, while complementing Sarawak’s broader push towards digitalisation and green growth.
Lee said the state welcomed pilot projects in rural areas, including medical supply deliveries to clinics, agricultural monitoring and crop management, forest mapping and environmental protection, as well as community air mobility trials using eVTOL prototypes.
“With the right framework and collaboration, drones can help bridge the gap between rural and urban Sarawak, bringing services, opportunities, and connectivity to every corner of our state,” he said.
He stressed that drones were no longer just tools for hobbyists but had become integral to industries such as agriculture, construction, logistics, infrastructure monitoring, environmental protection, and even emergency response.
“In Sarawak, where geography and vast natural landscapes pose unique challenges, drones have the potential to transform service delivery and create new efficiencies. However, their safe integration into our skies requires strong governance, effective regulations, and public awareness,” Lee said.
He noted that cases of unauthorised drone operations continued to occur, particularly in public spaces or near sensitive areas.
“Many of these incidents happen not out of malice, but due to lack of awareness of the law. However, ignorance cannot be an excuse — misuse of drones can endanger lives, threaten national security, and compromise aviation safety,” he said.
To address these challenges, the state Transport Ministry remains committed to strengthening enforcement and compliance, expanding public education and awareness campaigns across all regions, and working closely with universities such as the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), industry partners, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to develop training, guidelines, and best practices.
Lee said the ministry was also exploring new opportunities for drones to support Sarawak’s economic transformation while upholding high safety and environmental standards.
