KUCHING: The government has purchased RM35 million special surveillance aircraft for mapping and data collection in Sarawak, said Water, Land, and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar (pix).
He added the Austrian-made aircraft used the turnkey hyperspectral observation system and would be stationed at the Sarawak Forest Department.
According to Xavier, the acquisition of the aircraft, which was funded fully by the federal government, has been approved by the cabinet and the aircraft is expected to arrive in Sarawak by year-end.
“The aircraft is not limited to the usage of the Forest Department. The advanced aircraft can be used by all agencies under the ministry,” he said in a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg at his office here today
Meanwhile, Xavier said the ministry would share its expertise with Sarawak to develop groundwater in the state.
“The groundwater development projects have already commenced in Peninsular Malaysia and the Chief Minister has agreed to this project in Sarawak. We will hold a meeting and after that, conduct a 4D mapping process of the state to obtain the latest data early next year.
Xavier said the ministry through the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem) was committed to protecting the national border sovereignty with an annual RM4 million allocation
He said the allocation was for measuring Malaysia’s international land boundaries with Brunei in Sarawak.
“Priority will be given to solve outstanding boundary problem areas in Sarawak which are the D400, Gunung Raya, Gunung Jagoi and Batu Aum,” he said. — Bernama
