KUCHING – The Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), its commercial arm, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) are advancing plans to develop the “flying car” industry and broaden Malaysia’s low-altitude economy.
The move comes following a meeting in Putrajaya, where CAAM’s Deputy CEO (Regulatory), Captain Mohd Radzi Mohamad Alias, underlined that the collaboration is essentially both for enhancing the nascent aviation sector and contributing to the country’s economic expansion. He described the effort as more than technological, stating it would also stimulate broader national growth.
CENTEXS Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Syeed Mohd Hussien, said that discussions were centred around building up the aerospace workforce through comprehensive training such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), cabin crew education and aerospace engineering. He emphasised aligning sector development with global safety norms and technical advancement.
Key strategic goals outlined include nurturing local talent, conducting joint research, developing supporting infrastructure, and executing pilot low-altitude air operations. These, the parties hope, will position Malaysia at the forefront of smart air mobility in the region.
The concept of the low-altitude economy covers innovations such as drones, urban air mobility, and flying cars economic activities utilising airspace nearer to the ground to deliver new mobility solutions.
Also present during the meetings were senior representatives from CENTEXS: Shahren Yusri (General Manager), Dr Dayang Hanani Abang Ibrahim (Chief Academic Officer, Aerospace, Digital & Green Energy Academy), and Dr Nor Ashikin Abdul Rahman (Head of Lundu Campus). These figures are involved in implementing the training and research elements of the partnership.
This initial face-to-face engagement aims to cement the strategic relationship and set up a robust foundation for future collaboration in modern aviation and aerospace technology within Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole.