Measat urges 2027 Budget to prioritize sovereign SpaceTech for Malaysia's future

Measat Satellite Systems is calling on the 2027 Budget to elevate sovereign SpaceTech to a national investment priority, arguing that local control of space assets is vital for resilience and strategic independence. The company notes that the sector produced RM6.2 billion in revenue between 2017 and 2024 and sees the Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 programme as a catalyst for a larger economic and technology ecosystem.

Its five-point proposal calls for stronger sovereign capabilities, sustained infrastructure funding, accelerated SpaceTech applications, support for local firms to commercialise space tech, and development of specialised research and talent. Measat also seeks greater local ownership in national space programmes, investment frameworks suited to long development cycles, and expanded public-private partnerships across multi-orbit platforms. The plan envisions integrated satellite and terrestrial networks to broaden applications in disaster response, maritime surveillance, precision agriculture, rural health and smart infrastructure, while fostering industry-academia collaboration and pathways to regional and global markets.