MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

Kuala Lumpur, Mon. - State Governments should fully utilise space remote sensing technology to curb encroachment, landslides and illegal development in protected zones and enhance enforcement and economic activities.

Science, Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Law Hieng Ding said one such technology is the Satellite Imaging Map (SIM), which identifies encroachment on forest reserves, water catchment and illegal development in hilly terrain or swamps.

"It can also monitor landslides, illegal logging and congestion in the Straits of Malacca and forecast production of crops like padi," he said. "SIM will increase management efficiency."

The minister earlier launched the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing's (Macres) latest SIM project and a seminar on it here. Present was Survey and Mapping Malaysia Department director-general Datuk Hamid Ali.

SIM, Law said, had surpassed conventional 3-D topographical maps, which depend on costly and time consuming aerial photography and field survey.

Initiated by Macres in 1997, SIM, now used by several countries, is being used by the Survey and Mapping Department (JUPEM). Macres will be responsible for its acquisition and processing while JUPEM will provide vector data and related spatial information.

Law said to further develop remote sensing technology, the ministry introduced a special on-screen information technology through the Global Positioning System (GPS) to enable road users to avoid traffic congestion.

Users will get information of congested routes and plan their journey by using alternative roads. The service, Law said, is widely used in Japan and the United Kingdom.

For now, the service will be automatically installed in new vehicles. Motorists have to pay access fees for the GPS service, just like the fee to an Internet service provider.

"The ministry has not determined the access rates," he said.

Law said, however, the charges could be costly because the service would involve expertise and high-technology equipment.