Sabah is poised to establish Southeast Asia’s first space centre, pending the approval of an ongoing feasibility study, said Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr. Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.
The space centre is expected to open up employment opportunities for locals in the burgeoning space industry.
“This space centre is currently in the feasibility stage. The study is ongoing, and we are awaiting its final outcome,” said Mohd Arifin at the launch of the Mobile Exhibition “Experiencing Science: Enlightening Innovation” in Kimanis.
“Once the study is completed, it will be presented to the ministry for refinement. The findings will then be submitted to the Sabah state cabinet for review and consideration. We aim to finalize the feasibility results this year.
“The purpose is to position Sabah as an ASEAN hub, particularly for satellite assembly and related activities, while creating approximately 300 products tied to the space industry.
“This initiative will provide numerous job and business opportunities, enabling us to contribute to advancements in science and technology,” he added.
This is not the first time Mohd Arifin has floated the idea of establishing a space centre in Sabah. When the proposal was first introduced, it drew criticism from communities, many of whom questioned the ambition of the plan, given Sabah’s ongoing struggles with serious infrastructure issues.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (KSTI), Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim, highlighted the strategic potential of the proposed site for the space centre, noting its economic benefits.
“The identified location in Sabah is ideal and has the potential to generate significant economic resources for the country,” he said.
Aside from serving as a launch site, the project is also expected to benefit the shipping and logistics industries in its early stages.
“Our shipping and logistics sectors will gain in the first five years. After that, we plan to establish a network, similar to KKIP, which we call the ‘Space Industrial Park,’” he said.
“This will create a complete ecosystem for the space industry here, nurturing more locals to venture into science, technology, and innovation,” he added. – January 24, 2025.
