ASEAN countries are urged to establish common standards and enhance regional cooperation to regulate the expanding space sector, Malaysia’s Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang said. Speaking on the sidelines of the 4th ASEAN Space Policy Expert Exchange Seminar held in Kuala Lumpur on September 28, Chang emphasized the need for coordinated regulatory frameworks to keep pace with rapid advancements in space technology.

Chang highlighted that space activities, once limited, are now increasingly integral to various industries and daily life, playing crucial roles in food security, climate change mitigation, disaster management, and national development. As space launches often involve multiple countries and private companies, he called for regulations aligned with international best practices to oversee these cross-border activities responsibly, safely, and sustainably.

“A single space-launch mission could involve technologies, infrastructure, companies and services from several countries,” Chang noted, stressing the importance of establishing regional guidelines to collectively manage risks associated with space debris, re-entry of objects, and space weather phenomena. He added that ASEAN members, due to their proximity, should adopt standards broadly consistent across the region to effectively regulate the growing space ecosystem.

Malaysia plans to position itself as a leading player in the ASEAN space industry by expanding collaboration with neighboring countries, developing robust regulatory principles, and fostering its domestic space ecosystem, Chang said. The country is also advancing space technology applications focused on environmental monitoring, resource management, and health-related services, all of which have potential to benefit the broader public.

The minister pointed out that space-launch activities extend beyond technology innovation to include economic sectors such as insurance, satellite assembly, and rocket component manufacturing, which could open new opportunities for the Malaysian economy. “Launch activity involves many areas and fields. It is not only technology but also includes things we might never have thought of,” he remarked.

Supporting the minister’s remarks, Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) director-general Datuk Azlikamil Napiah outlined the agency’s goal under the National Space Policy 2030 for the space sector to contribute 1% of Malaysia’s GDP by 2030. This is projected to translate into an estimated RM10 billion in economic value and create approximately 5,000 new jobs, particularly for young Malaysians, as the nation develops its capabilities in space-related industries.