Drones are allowed in Malaysia, subject to CAAM regulations. Official links and Malaysia Drone Laws explained for residents and visitors, hobbyists, recreational, commercial drone flyers.
Hobbyist Drone Laws For Residents of Malaysia
Drone Operations in Malaysia are currently regulated.
- Hobbyist drone flights are allowed in Malaysia
- Hobbyist Malaysia drone pilot license is not required
- Hobbyist Drone registration is not required in Malaysia for hobbyists flying under 20kg UAV
- Drone Remote ID is not required in Malaysia for hobbyists
- Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for hobbyists’ drone operations in Malaysia
Read below for more details on Hobbyist Drone Laws in Malaysia and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!
Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in Malaysia
Drone Regulator in Malaysia: Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM)
Link to Drone Flight Approval Forms: CAAM Drone Flight Approval Application Forms
Contact Information
If you need additional details we have not covered or specific case assistance, you can contact the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) directly at:
- Address: Level 1-4, Block A, South Quadrant, SACL, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, 47200 Subang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Phone: +60 3 8871 4000
- Email: enquiry@caam.gov.my or drone.atf@caam.gov.my (standard authorization)
Other Organizations involved in Malaysia Drone regulations:
- Standard and Industrial Research of Malaysia (SIRIM): Ensure UAS brought in meets the safety standard requirement for electronics equipment.
- Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC): MCMC regulates and promotes the communication and multimedia industry and delicately balances the overall interest of the consumer, industry and investor. The allocated frequency for the Control and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) and payload links 433MHz to 435 MHz, 2400 MHz to 2500 MHz and 5725 MHz to 5875 MHz. An Apparatus Assignment shall be requested if the frequency is differing than the allocated frequencies.
- Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM): If the UA is capable of undertaking surveillance and measuring activities (such as aerial photo, aerial mapping, Lidar etc.) then the UAS operator must seek an approval from the Department of Survey and Mapping. The Department of Survey and Mapping’s responsibility also extends to liaising with CGSO, ATM-BSPP and RMP to conduct the background check and ensuring the level of security of the proposed area of operation.
- Chief Government and Security Office (CGSO): Governs all Kawasan Larangan Tempat Larangan and Sasaran Penting (KLTL and SP)
- Wisma Tanah dan Ukur Sabah: Additional authorisation required for UA operations in Sabah
- Office of Premier of Sarawak: Additional authorisation required for UA operations in Sarawak.
Please continue reading for more details on Malaysia Drone Laws.
UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Malaysia
The Malaysian agency responsible for drone safety, CAAM, has provided many internet-accessible details on flying a drone for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details, go to the links above.
Are drones allowed in Malaysia?
According to CAAM, drones are allowed in Malaysia, subject to CAAM regulations. Read on for details.
Here are the most important rules to know for flying drone in Malaysia:
In Malaysia, drones are classified into three categories:
- Small Unmanned Aircraft System: Drones with a maximum weight of 20 kilograms
- Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft: Drones that weigh a maximum of 20 kilograms are equipped with data acquisition devices (such as cameras and microphones).
- Unmanned Aircraft System more than 20kg: All other drones weighing more than 20 kg
Regulations vary according to category. For example, the second category includes standard camera drones such as the DJI Mavic and Phantom.
Further authorisation is not required for such drones if the following maneuvers are avoided:
- From a weight of 20 kilograms, authorisation is required.
- Malaysia’s maximum permitted ascent height is 120 meters (400 feet).
- Flights of drones over designated areas (areas for residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational purposes)
- In Malaysia, drone flights are permitted only within visual range. However, under certain conditions, experienced pilots can conduct FPV flights.
- Within 150 meters of each designated area, drone flights
- We strongly advise obtaining aviation liability insurance before conducting drone operations in Malaysia.
- Drone flights over crowds of more than 1,000 people in open spaces
- Drone flights within 150 meters of any outdoor gathering of over 1000 people
- Drone flights within 50 meters of any ship, vehicle, or structure that is not under the pilot’s control
- Drone flights are restricted to a radius of 50 meters around each person.
- During takeoff and landing, drones fly within 30 meters of each person.
- All operations must be conducted beyond 9.26km (5 Nautical Miles) from an aerodrome or airport and only in Class G airspace.
- Flights are permitted only during daylight hours.
If you meet any of the criteria listed above, you will require a license from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
If your UAS activity is not categorized as a Special UAS Project, Agricultural UAS Operations is flown within Visual Line of Sight in Class G Airspace and utilizing less than 20 kilograms of UA. Then, most likely, you will be required to submit the Standard Application to achieve your Authorisation to Fly.
The application form for the authorisation to fly can be found in the document below. The completed application form and required supporting documents shall be sent to drone.atf@caam.gov.my at least fourteen (14) days before the proposed activity date. CAAM reserves the right to reject incomplete or late submissions.
Go here to find the link to the Application Form for Standard Application to Fly
250 RM is the cost of the permit.
Information about Drone permits in Malaysia
Before applying for a CAAM permit, you must first obtain permission from the landowner whose property you intend to fly over. Additionally, depending on your circumstances, you may need to get the following documents:
- A letter of approval from JUPEM, or Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia, is required for any drone activity involving aerial mapping, aerial photography, filming, or videography. The application fee is RM 50.
- A letter from the CGSO or Chief Government Security Office authorising the pilot to fly in no-fly zones such as Putrajaya.
- A letter of approval from the Sabah or Sarawak Chief Minister, depending on which state you will be flying.
- An approval letter from the MCMC or Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission is required for foreign drone pilots.
Please remember that your application to CAAM must be submitted at least 14 working days before your scheduled flight date, or it will be rejected.
The Drone Permit Malaysia Application fees are as follows:
- For drones 20kg and below: RM 250
- For drones above 20kg: RM 1000
The permit is valid for a maximum of three months, based on the dates of operation specified in your application.
How to get Standard Authorisation to Fly Drone in Malaysia?
If your UAS activity is not categorized as a Special UAS Project, Agricultural UAS Operations is flown within Visual Line of Sight in Class G Airspace and utilizing less than 20 kilograms of UA. Then, most likely, you will be required to submit the Standard Application to achieve your Authorisation to Fly.
The Application form can be found here: Malaysia Standard Authorisation Application Form.
The completed application form and required supporting documents shall be sent to drone.atf@caam.gov.my at least fourteen (14) days before the proposed activity date. CAAM reserves the right to reject an incomplete or late submission.
Penalties
If the person is an individual, they may be fined not more than fifty thousand ringgit, imprisoned for over three years, or both.
If the person is a corporate body, they may be fined not more than one hundred thousand ringgits.
Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Malaysia
Recreational drone use will most likely require a standard application to fly. Please see the information above.
You must ensure that you can maintain direct and unaided visual contact with the aircraft long enough to monitor its flight path to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels, and structures to avoid collisions.
Authorisation from the Director-General is REQUIRED if the person in charge of the small unmanned aircraft system intends to fly the small unmanned aircraft system:
- within an aerodrome traffic zone
- at the height of more than 400 feet above ground
Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.
Commercial Drone Laws For Residents of Malaysia
Drone Operations in Malaysia are currently regulated.
- Commercial drone flights are allowed in Malaysia
- Commercial Malaysia drone pilot license is required
- Commercial Drone registration is not required in Malaysia for commercial drone operators unless the drone is over 20kg
- Drone Remote ID is not required in Malaysia for Commercial Drone Operators
- Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for commercial drone operations in Malaysia
Read below for more details on Commercial Drone Laws in Malaysia and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!
Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Malaysia
To fly a UAS for aerial work, you need authorisation from the Director-General.
Aerial work is an aircraft operation that provides specialized services such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and aerial advertisement.
- Registration of small unmanned aircraft and small uncrewed surveillance aircraft is NOT required.
- Registration of unmanned aircraft systems weighing more than 20kg is REQUIRED.
Each authorisation requires additional direct payment to the authority.
To use drones for aerial work, you must also apply for and maintain an aerial work certificate:
- New application: RM 800
- Renewal of aerial work certificate: RM 500 per year
- Modification of existing certificate: RM 250
Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.
Drone Laws For Visitors To Malaysia
Drone Operations in Malaysia are currently regulated.
- Foreign visitor drone flights are allowed in Malaysia
- Foreign visitor drone pilot license is not required
- Drone registration/authorisation is required in Malaysia for visitors/tourists
- Drone Remote ID is not required in Malaysia for tourists
- Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for tourist drone operations in Malaysia
Read below for more details on Drone Laws in Malaysia for Visitors (Tourists) and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!
Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Malaysia
See the general rules above.
Additional Note For Foreign Operators
Useful published information on flying drones in Malaysia
Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in The Republic of Malaysia…
Authoritative Sources of Information on Malaysia
We will attempt to keep an updated list of online authoritative links to regulators and other official websites here:
- Drone Malaysia Regulator Website: Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM)
- Link To SUAS Laws: N/A
- No Fly Zone Maps/Locations: app.airmap.io or https://fly-safe.dji.com/home (for DJI)
- UAV Registration Site: N/A
- Drone Operator Licensing Site: N/A
- Others: CAAM Drone Flight Approval Application Forms
Phil Says: ‘ This page is about the Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.’
mavicandme.com would like to thank dronelaws.com for information used in this section.