Malaysia’s space defence plan sparks outrage in flood aftermath

The system would eventually also incorporate rocket and missile capabilities operated out of space for defence

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Residents ride a boat in a flooded area in Rantau Panjang, Malaysia’s Kelantan state, on December 3. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:03pm, 13 Dec 2024Updated: 8:51pm, 13 Dec 2024

Malaysia’s government drew a fresh round of brickbats earlier this week when it unveiled plans to launch a multi-year space defence programme replete with military satellites and missile systems, as the country reels from the aftermath of one of the worst floods in a decade.

The government on Wednesday said it intended to establish a Space Defence System “to provide early warnings and increase our situational awareness” of threats such as missile launches and nuclear strikes.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari told the Senate the system would eventually also incorporate rocket and missile functions operated out of space to boost the country’s defence capabilities.

The plan, however, earned a swift rebuke on Malaysia’s raucous social media, with many pointing out that the government had not been able to solve the annual floods that routinely inundate parts of the country.

“Space defence plans? Can’t even stop the floods in KL, they are worrying about nuclear explosions and missile launches. Unbelievable!” former diplomat Dennis Ignatius said on X.

Widespread floods that started in the final week of November killed six people and displaced over 150,000, as a La Nina-driven monsoon unleashed exceptionally heavy rainfall, wreaking havoc in the Malaysian peninsula’s northern region and southern Thailand.