152 Malaysia

14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom). There is a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star. The flag is often referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory). The 14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government. The 14 points on the star represent the unity between these entities. The crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam. Blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

The statue of Lord Murugan at the Batu Caves. Constructed of tons of concrete, steel reinforcing bars, and gold paint, the monument – unveiled in 2006 – took three years to complete. In Hindu mythology, Lord Murugan was a Hindu deity created by Lord Siva to defeat the demon Surapadman.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Malaysia is a member of ICAO and JARUS.
Last updated on December 15, 2024

Government

According to Britannica, Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy with a ceremonial head of state—a monarch—who bears the title Yang di-Pertuan Agong (“paramount ruler”) and who is elected from among nine hereditary state rulers for a five-year term. The Malaysian constitution, drafted in 1957 following the declaration of independence (from the British) by the states of what is now Peninsular Malaysia, provides for a bicameral federal legislature, consisting of the Senate (Dewan Negara) as the upper house and the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) as the lower. The paramount ruler appoints a prime minister from among the members of the House of Representatives. On the advice of the prime minister, the monarch then appoints the other ministers who make up the cabinet. The number of ministers is not fixed, but all must be members of the federal parliament. The federal government also includes an independent judiciary and a politically neutral civil service.

The powers of the federal parliament are relatively broad and include the authority to legislate in matters concerning government finances, defense, foreign policy, internal security, the administration of justice, and citizenship. The constitution also provides that some issues may be addressed by either the federal legislature or a state legislature. Of the roughly 200 members of the House of Representatives, about two-thirds are from Peninsular Malaysia, one is from the federal territory of Labuan, and the remaining seats are divided fairly evenly between Sarawak and Sabah. Members are elected to office from single-member constituencies to terms of five years. The Senate consists of about six dozen members; of these, nearly two-thirds (including those from the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan) are appointed by the paramount ruler on the recommendation of the prime minister, and the others are elected by the state legislative assemblies. Election to either house is by a simple majority, but amendments to the constitution require a two-thirds majority. A bill passed by both houses and sanctioned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong becomes a federal law.

Malaysia comprises 13 states and 3 federal territories. Each state has its own written constitution, legislative assembly, and executive council, which is responsible to the legislative assembly and headed by a chief minister. The federal territories, which include the capital city region of Kuala Lumpur, the administrative capital of Putrajaya, and the island of Labuan off the coast of East Malaysia, carry the same status as states, but they do not have separate legislatures or heads of state.

Most of the peninsular states are led by hereditary rulers. Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, and Terengganu have sultans, while Perlis has a raja (“king”), and Negeri Sembilan is ruled by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar (“chief ruler”). The heads of state of Melaka, Penang Island (Pulau Pinang; also Penang), Sarawak, and Sabah—known as Yang di-Pertuan Negeri (“state ruler”)—are appointed to office. The ruler of a state acts on the advice of the state government. The constitution provides for federal parliamentary elections and for elections to state legislatures, to be held at least every five years.

All states in Malaysia are subdivided into districts. In Sarawak and Sabah, however, these districts are grouped into larger administrative units called divisions. The village, headed by a tua kampung (“village leader”), is the smallest unit of government.

The constitution of Malaysia, which is the supreme law of the country, provides that the judicial power of the federation shall be vested in two High Courts, one in Peninsular Malaysia, called the High Court in Malaya, and the other in East Malaysia, called the High Court in Sarawak and Sabah, and also in subordinate courts. Appeals from the High Courts are heard first by the Court of Appeal; they may then be appealed to the highest court in Malaysia, the Federal Court (formerly called the Supreme Court), which is headed by a chief justice. A separate Special Court handles cases involving charges against the paramount ruler or the heads of states.

Each High Court consists of a chief judge and a number of other justices. The High Court has criminal and civil jurisdiction and may pass any sentence allowed by law. Below each High Court are three subordinate courts: the Sessions Court, the Magistrates’ Court, and the Court for Children. These lower courts have criminal and civil jurisdiction, criminal cases come before one or the other court depending on the seriousness of the offense and civil cases depending on the sum involved. In addition, there are religious courts in those Malay states that are established under Islamic law (syariah, or Sharīʿah). These Islamic courts are governed by state, not federal, legislation.

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM)

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), previously known as the Department of Civil Aviation, is a government agency that was formed under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia in 1969. Effectively on 19th February 2018, DCA was incorporated into a statutory body known as CAAM.

Airspace

SkyVectorGoogle MapsADS-B Exchange

ICAO countries publish an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). This document is divided into three parts: General (GEN), En Route (ENR) and Aerodromes (AD). ENR 1.4 details the types of airspace classes they chose to adopt from classes A through G. Malaysia eAIP

airspace classification

Drone Regulations

Drone Laws

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) would like to emphasize that all Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or more familiarly known as Drone flight activities are currently bound to Civil Aviation Regulation 2016 (MCAR) Regulation 140-144.

Standard Authorization to Fly (ATF)

If your UAS activity is flown not categorized as Special UAS Project, Agricultural UAS Operations, flown within Visual Line of Sight in Class G Airspace and utilizing less than 20 kilograms of UA. Then most likely, you will require to submit the Standard Application to achieve your Authorization to Fly.

Application form for the authorization to fly can be found in the document laid out below. The completed application form and required supporting documents shall be sent to drone.atf@caam.gov.my at least fourteen (14) days prior to the proposed activity date. CAAM reserves the rights to reject incomplete or late submission.

Unmanned aircraft system means an aircraft and its associated elements which are operated with no pilot on board

Categories of UAS

  • small unmanned aircraft system
    unmanned aircraft system, other than a balloon or a kite, having a mass of not more than 20 kilograms without
    its fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight
  • small unmanned surveillance aircraft
    a small unmanned aircraft which is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition
  • unmanned aircraft system of more than 20kg

I can’t fly the UAS (applies to all type of UAS)

  • in Class A, B, C or G airspace
  • within an aerodrome traffic zone
  • at the height of more than 400 feet above the surface of the earth

UNLESS obtain an authorization from the Chief Executive Officer

Can I fly the unmanned aircraft system for aerial work purposes?

  • authorization from the Chief Executive Officer is required to be obtained in order to fly a UAS for purpose of aerial
    work.
  • aerial work means an aircraft operation in which an aircraft is used to provide specialized services in agriculture,
    construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, aerial advertisement and other
    similar activities

I want to fly a small unmanned surveillance aircraft. Do I need authorization?

Authorization from the Chief Executive Officer is required to be obtained to fly a small unmanned surveillance aircraft in any of the following circumstances:

  • over any designated area
    = means any area which is used for residential, commercial, industrial or recreational purposes
  • within 150 meters of any designated area
  • over any assembly in the open air of more than 1,000 persons
  • within 150 meters of any assembly in the open air of more than 1,000 persons
  • within 50 meters of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the
    aircraft
  • within 50 meters of any person
  • within 30 meters of any person during take-off or landing

I want to fly the unmanned aircraft system of more than 20kg. Do I need authorization?

Authorization from the Chief Executive Officer is required to be obtained

How to apply for an authorization?

submit an application to drone.atf@caam.gov.my
application form can be downloaded via the link https://www.caam.gov.my/sectors-divisions/flight-operations/unmanned-aircraft-system-uas/
pay the prescribed fees

The person in charge of the UAS shall not cause or permit any article or animal whether or not attached a parachute to to be dropped from UAS.

Small unmanned aircraft and small unmanned surveillance is NOT required to be registered.
Unmanned aircraft system of more than 20kg is REQUIRED to be registered.

Application for authorization to fly

– Unmanned aircraft system of more than 20kg – RM 1000
– Small unmanned surveillance aircraft – RM 250

Penalties

where the person is an individual, to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding three years or to both
where the person is a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand ringgit

NOTE REMINDER

Kindly submit the application with all related documents to CAAM within 14 working days before date of flight.
Application submitted less than 14 days will be rejected and incomplete application will not be processed.

UAS Application

Application for Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) Certificate of Approval (COA)

Civil Aviation Directive 6011 Part (I) Remote Pilot Training Organization (CAD 6011 Part (I) – RPTO) is applicable to all organization who wish to conduct Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) remote pilot training and to be approved as a Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) by CAAM.

Remote Pilot Training Organization

CAD 6011 Part (I) – RPTO sets out the requirements, administrative processes, instructions, and guidance related to the operation of the Remote Pilot Training Organization within Malaysia and for the issuance of Certificate of Approval (COA) to the RPTO.

Applicant is advised to carefully read and understands the approval requirements and application process flow in the CAD 6011 (I) – RPTO document to avoid any confusion and delay in the RPTO COA application process.

remote pilot training organization

Approved Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO)

Approved Training Organization – Remote Pilot Training Organization (ATO-RPTO) is an organization that has been formally approved by the CAAM to submit reports for theoretical knowledge instruction and flight instruction and assessment in relation to the competency of remote pilots. The CAAM approves RPTO to assess the competence of remote pilots against a specific set of requirements and to supply reports to CAAM for the issuance of the certificate.

Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency (RCoC) satisfies the requirements within:

1) Specific Category/ Special UAS Project Approval:

  • RCoC-B is acceptable for all VLOS operations conducted under a published STS or PDRA and, in most circumstances, it will be considered an acceptable level of remote pilot competency within an operational risk assessment for any VLOS operation.
  • If the RCoC-B is paired with Module 1 (EVLOS), the Certificate holder may operate operations that involve an unmanned aircraft being flown beyond the VLOS of the remote pilot but make use of visual observers for the purpose of avoiding collisions (i.e., operations that are frequently referred to as Extended VLOS [EVLOS])

 

2) Agricultural UAS Operations:

  • RCoC-B is acceptable for all VLOS operations requirements of CAD 6011 (II) for ‘other than dispensation’ operations. (surveillance, mapping, etc)
  • If the RCOC-B is paired with Module 2 (AGR) the Certificate holder may operate agricultural UAS works which include dispensation operations.
  • If the RCoC-B is paired with Module 1 (EVLOS), the certificate holder may operate operations which are primarily involving an unmanned aircraft being flown beyond VLOS of the remote pilot but make use of visual observers for the purpose of avoiding collisions.

 

RPTO COA Application

Application for Agricultural UAS Operations (AGR) Aerial Work Certificate (AWC)

CAAM deems an agricultural UAS operations is the operations of a UAS for the purpose of:

  • Dispensing any agricultural any agricultural payload intended for plan nourishment, soil treatment, propagation of plant life, or pest control; or
  • Engaging in dispensing ‘agricultural payload’ and surveillance activities directly affecting agriculture, horticulture, or forest preservation, but not including the dispensing of live insects.

Agricultural UAS Operations

Civil Aviation Directive Part 6011 (II) Agricultural UAS Operations (CAD 6011 Part (II) – UAS AGR) is applicable for the issuance of Aerial Work Certificate (AWC) to all private and commercial Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operator in order to conduct agricultural UAS operations within Malaysia.

Applicant is advised to carefully read and understands the certification requirements and application process flow in the CAD 6011 Part (II) – UAS AGR document to avoid any confusion and delay in the application of agricultural UAS operations AWC.

agricultural uas operations

AGR AWC Application

Application For Special UAS Project Approval

CAAM classifies a UAS operation as Special UAS Project if the operation involves:

  • Carriage of Dangerous Goods;
  • Beyond Line of Sight (BVLOS);
  • Research and Development (R&D);
  • Any other operations that require an additional operational support activity from the CAAM due to the additional risks it involves.

Special UAS Project

Civil Aviation Directive 6011 Part (V) Special UAS Project (CAD 6011 Part (V) – UAS SUP) is applicable for the issuance of a Special UAS Project Approval to UAS operator in order to conduct any UAS operations which CAAM classifies as Special UAS Project operations within Malaysia.

Applicant is advised to carefully read and understands the approval requirements and application process flow in the CAD SUP document to avoid any confusion and delay in the application of special UAS project approval.

special uas project

SUP Approval Application

Aerial and sports aviation activities 

Aerial and sports aviation activities – such as the flying of kites or unmanned aircraft – are becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia. When flown in the vicinity of an airport or airbase, they may become a hazardous distraction to pilots especially during take-off and landing of their aircraft. Depending on their size and composition, these objects may be ingested by aircraft engines. This may in turn endanger lives and cause harm to the property – in the air and on the ground. Aerial and sports aviation activities must therefore be conducted with due regard to aviation safety given Malaysia’s busy airspace and landscape.

Type of Aerial and Sports Aviation Activities

1) Balloon (including hot air balloons)

2) Captive balloon (including hot air balloons)

3) Kites

4) Airships

5) Gliders (including powered paragliding / paramotor)

6) Parascending parachutes (including parasailing / parakiting)

7) Dropping of articles from aircraft in flight

8) Dropping of animals from aircraft in flight

9) Dropping of persons from aircraft in flight (including parachute jumping)

10) Fireworks display

11) Air show/air display

12) Formation flying

Aerial and Sports Aviation Activities Application

1) Applicants are required to email their application to sports.aviation@caam.gov.my
2) A link will be sent where applicants are required to fill up the form and submit supporting documents as per stated in the form.
3) Complete application and documents must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the proposed activity date.
4) CAAM reserves the rights to reject incomplete applications or late submission.
5) NOTAM will be issued after the application and submission of documents is complete and satisfactory.

 

 

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Regulations & Policies

None found by the author.

However, should you, the reader, happen to stumble across something to the contrary, please email the author at FISHE5CA@erau.edu and you may be mentioned in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS section of this book by way of thanks for contributing to this free eBook!

 

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) News

None found by the author.

However, should you, the reader, happen to stumble across something to the contrary, please email the author at FISHE5CA@erau.edu and you may be mentioned in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS section of this book by way of thanks for contributing to this free eBook!

 

Short Essay Questions

Question 1

You have been hired by a Drone Startup Company. Your boss has immediately assigned this job to you.

They need you to prepare a one-page memo detailing the legalities of using a drone to film outside Batu Caves, pictured above.

They need you to mention any national laws and local ordinances.

They specifically want to know what airspace (insert pictures) you will be operating in and whether or not you need an airspace authorization.

Does it matter whether or not you are a citizen of the country?

Lastly, there is a bonus for you if, as you scroll through this chapter, you find any typos or broken links!

Question 2

Do you need a certificate to fly UAS?

If so, how do you obtain one?

Are there fees associated with this?

If so, how much?

Question 3

May you operate beyond visual line of sight?

If so, what procedures must you follow?

Question 4

Does the country have UAM/AAM laws? If so, describe, citing the exact law.

Question 5

Are you aware of any new laws or policies not mentioned above? If so, describe, citing the exact law or policy.

 

 

 

License

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Drones Across the World Copyright © 2023 by Sarah Nilsson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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