AN ANALYSIS OF THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVs) IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

The development of agriculture in Malaysia is expanding from conventional methods to the latest technology of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The potential of the operation of UAVs in the agriculture sector in Malaysia has enforced the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) by the power given in the Civil Aviation Act 1969, to come out with the first directive designed specifically for UAVs in agriculture. It contains the proper guidelines and safety procedures of the said operation. This article is aimed to analyse and examine the legal framework of the Civil Aviation Directive 6011 Part II (CAD 6011 Part (II) – UAS AGR) set by the CAAM in administering the operation of UAV agriculture. As a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Malaysia is obliged to develop its national regulations based on the Chicago convention and the International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). This article will adopt the doctrinal research by referring to the current directive of CAAM, current laws, and regulations as enforced in Malaysia in administering the extensive operation of UAVs in agriculture. Further, this article is aimed to analyse safety, risk assessment, and liabilities vis-à-vis the UAV agriculture. In brief, the operation of UAVs in agriculture is a part of CAAM’s mission towards the integration of manned and unmanned aircraft into the navigable airspace in line with the mission of ICAO together for the sustainability of the economy and the efficiency of the industry to cope with the development of digital and technology.