PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pledged comprehensive government support to develop Malaysia's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry into a strategic engine of economic growth, saying Putrajaya will strengthen regulations, research capabilities and industry collaboration to accelerate the sector's expansion.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of Malaysia's inaugural drone exhibition on Saturday, Anwar said ministries, research institutions and relevant agencies have been directed to provide the necessary support to build a competitive domestic UAV ecosystem as drone technology assumes an increasingly important role in both commercial and defence sectors.
"We have now seen the potential of the UAV industry. I have asked Cabinet ministers, the framers of our policies, the science research establishment and all related agencies to give all the support necessary," Malay Mail quoted him saying.
Anwar said the government's commitment extends beyond defence applications, noting that drones are becoming increasingly vital in agriculture, plantation management, disaster response, search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring and other civilian sectors.
Highlighting the rapid convergence of drone technology with artificial intelligence and digital innovation, he said Malaysia must move decisively to capture opportunities in a global market projected to exceed US$55 billion by 2030.
"We are determined, therefore, in Malaysia to seize these opportunities," he said.
To support the industry's expansion, Anwar said the government would enhance the regulatory framework governing drone operations while increasing investment in research, testing and certification.
"We will improve the regulatory framework governing drones while expanding investment in research, testing and certification," he said.
The Prime Minister also called for closer collaboration between industry, government research agencies and universities, urging higher education institutions to play a greater role in advancing UAV technologies alongside emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
"If Malaysia wants to be a more successful country, innovative in terms of economy, it must be fast, speedy and move with haste in order to develop new technologies and fields," he said.
Anwar said a thriving UAV ecosystem would depend not only on technological innovation but also on political stability, policy certainty, an efficient civil service and strong public-private partnerships, factors he said continue to underpin Malaysia's attractiveness to investors despite growing geopolitical uncertainty.
While acknowledging ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and broader global instability, he said Malaysia should remain focused on strengthening its economy and expanding high-technology industries.
"The value of this technology cannot be underestimated. It is for productivity, economic advancement, defence, and also to serve our people, strengthen our resilience and improve the quality of public services," he said. - June 27, 2026
