Sarawak Chief Minister YAB Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg launched the GeoDrone Initiative at the Sarawak Forestry Corporation on September 18th.
During his speech, YAB Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari recommended the Sarawak Forestry Corporation Sdn Bhd (SFCB) to equip their drones with monitoring system that uses sensor technology to monitor the forestry sector by transmitting back data to the control centre through artificial intelligence (AI).
“The Sarawak government will support you if you want to acquire this type of technology because we are very serious on using the latest type of technology for research and management,” he said.
Adding more, YAB Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari also emphasize on more research and development by leveraging on ICT to preserve the forest and encourage downstream activities to sustain the timber industry.
“I have located RM1 billion for us to upgrade our high speed internet and for R&D, you need this tool to analyse what you have and produce new products from your research,” he added.
The Geo Drone Initiative is an undertaking of SFCSB that leverages on ICT and the latest drone and Geographic information System (GIS) technologies to monitor the performance of forest management activities such as enforcement, mapping survey of totally protected area (TPA) boundary and licensed area, monitoring of wildlife, harvesting operations and forest resource inventory.
During the exhibition launching, among the type of drones exhibited includes Hexa Multirotor (Tarot T810), Flying Wing (AIRIS T6), Flying Wing Drone and Sykwalker.
The event also saw the Chief Minister witnessed the exchange of MoUs between SFCSB and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), GP Pusaka Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Timber Association (STA) for research collaborations.
Among those present during the launching were Deputy Chief Minister YB Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment YB Datu Len Talif Salleh, SFC chairman Datu Dr Yusoff Hanifah and SFC chief executive officer Wong Ting Chung.
