SpaceX, an aerospace company owned by Elon Musk, is planning to expand its Starlink business in Malaysia, especially in rural areas, to comprehensively improve the country's Internet penetration Azmin Ali, the country's minister of international trade and industry, said that the business would be reviewed soon and several policy related matters proposed for the introduction of Internet services by satellite were still under consideration.
The picture is from Bernama
"The government has begun to study the Starlink business suggestions provided by SpaceX. Starlink business representatives will review these suggestions in Malaysia next week. We hope this can be finalized in the near future because they are ready to come to Malaysia to bring these new technologies conducive to economic development," Ali said.
Azmin Ali expressed this view in an interview with Bernama and TV3 after meeting with Starlink business representatives at SpaceX headquarters yesterday.
He said that at present, a Malaysian company based in Johor is already manufacturing basic satellite components for Starlink. "Their intention (SpaceX and Starlink) is to see this supply chain expand among local companies, because with this new investment, they need the support of a broader supply chain. This will provide an opportunity for Malaysian companies to participate in space technology in the near future," he continued.
"The presence of Starlink is important for Malaysia to promote its digital transformation agenda. I believe that with Starlink's presence in Malaysia, it will further strengthen Malaysia's economic position in Southeast Asia and the world," he said.
Arham Abdul Rahman, chief executive of the Malaysian investment and Development Authority (Mida), said that the negotiations with SpaceX and Starlink were at an "intermediate stage".