THE MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN DIGITAL PENANG, ANGKASAX AND USM

SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN DIGITAL PENANG, ANGKASAX AND USM

 

20 April 2021 @ Auditorium A, Komtar

 

 

EXCO MEMBERS OF THE PENANG STATE GOVERNMENT

 

PROFESSOR DR FAISAL RAFIQ MAHAMD ADIKAN

VICE CHANCELLOR

UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

 

DATO’ DR SEAN SEAH

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

ANGKASAX INNOVATION SDN BHD.

 

MR. TONY YEOH CHOON HOCK 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

DIGITAL PENANG

 

HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS

 

FRIENDS FROM THE MEDIA

 

 

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

 

Good afternoon to all of you.

Penang launchpad for ASEAN space economy

For the past 50 years, our manufacturing ecosystem has grown from strength to strength since the advent of semiconductors. From then, we have continued to leverage our core competence in engineering and have extended into other sectors such as medical devices, automotive electronics, avionics, and other high-technology-intensive areas.

We are constantly on the search for the next adjacent sector that will continue to tap on our engineering prowess and strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem which have been so vital to our development.

And today, we are reaching not only another milestone but heading towards a different frontier in the future of STEM in Penang. I am most delighted and excited to witness the signing of this MOU between USM, AngkasaX and Digital Penang which will enable Penang to spearhead and be the launchpad for the New Space Economy in the ASEAN region.

Like Space itself, the economic opportunities in this STEM-intensive field are limitless if we challenge ourselves to connect the dots correctly of our existing favourable conditions in Penang. I have no reason to doubt the potential of Penangites as many have excelled in their chosen fields in Malaysia and overseas.

With proper training, the right attitude and an endless thirst for STEM knowledge, our future talents can be nurtured into professionals well-versed in satellite engineering & navigation, satellite communication, commercial satellite imagery and their launch for exploration of natural resources outside Earth.

The operators of the services which I just mentioned typically contract the manufacturing of satellites and their launch to private or public companies which are an integral part of the New Space Economy.   

To prepare our future talents for the New Space Economy, the plans by AngkasaX will be carried out in 3 phases. Phase 1 will be focused on the joint cooperation with USM to set up an Aerospace and Satellite related engineering course targeting students, professors and tech professionals in Asia to create a pool of talents in this field.

Phase 2 is to set up a R&D Lab in USM to facilitate the transfer of technology from our foreign partners to design, develop and deliver on the technical & technology know-how for the actual launch. Phase 3 will be to develop an ecosystem in Penang by establishing a SpaceTech Park with the key players in the supply chain.

The mission and vision of AngkasaX to venture into satellite communications fit into our strategic direction in many ways.

Firstly, many countries are facing the challenge to address the digital divide especially providing reliable access in rural and underserved areas. The cost of laying fiber-optic cable and even 5G is not commercially attractive over sparsely populated wide areas. Hence, this venture shows promise in addressing this digital infrastructure issue.

Secondly, the race into space is picking up pace amongst advanced countries. SpaceX by Elon Musk has already launched a constellation of almost 400 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and is targeting to deploy up to 30,000 units forming a mesh over earth. Land grab, which was once so rampant in the history of mankind, has now interestingly become space grab in this new frontier.

In line with our pioneering spirit, our manufacturing ecosystem cannot remain complacent by ignoring this venture and forego the opportunity to stay relevant in this new frontier.

Thirdly, the presence of a School of Aerospace in USM, one of our leading science and technology university in the country completes the tripartite partnership between industry, academia and government in promoting talent development for growth in the New Space Economy.

The investment of a satellite engineering R&D Lab by AngkasaX and their foreign partners supported by experts from USM will be a significant step to move up the value chain in the field of R&D.

This is in line with the Penang2030 vision of providing more quality jobs. Penang is chosen because of our robust manufacturing ecosystem, a pool of engineering talents and supported by universities doing relevant research.

Technology is evolving at an astonishing pace and Penang’s industrial policy will continue to adapt to stay relevant by moving into higher value-added sectors. Our core focus will continue to be on attracting, developing and retaining our talents especially in the field of STEM.

As there are many unknowns, it is not surprising that many may be skeptical about this venture into space. Only time will tell because making the brave steps into a new frontier is never for the faint-hearted.

However, Penang is still willing to support this entrepreneurial spirit especially when it taps into our core competence in engineering. It is high time we challenge ourselves to think outside the box and to broaden our horizon into exploring the vast potential of the New Space Economy.  

  

We wish the parties well and Penang will support the development of the industry as best as we can.