Strategic Advisory Malaysia’s Missed Flight Path in the Global Drone AI Race
By MDCoCI Founder & Special Advisor Malaysia Drone Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MDCoCI) Official Strategic Partner & Endorsing Body of Drone Tech Asia 2025 (DTA2025), MITEC
Press Release & News
Email news@mdcoci.org
Mobile +6 019 657 7899
Mr. Elanggovan Thanggavilo
MDCoCI Founder & Special Advisor
+6 010 278 6771
elanggovanthanggavilo@mdcoci.org
Ground Survey Findings Low Industry Relevant Visitor Quality
MDCoCI conducted an independent survey and on site observation throughout Drone Tech Asia 2025 (DTA2025). The findings reveal a critical mismatch between the event’s strategic intent and actual audience engagement
Key Observations
Visitor quality skewed toward general public and casual interest groups
Very low presence of industry relevant professionals, including
Drone manufacturers and integrators
AI solution providers
Logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure stakeholders
Regulatory and safety experts
Institutional buyers and strategic investors
Common Complaints from Exhibitors
“We expected B2B leads, but got walk in curiosity.”
“No serious buyers or partners approached our booth.”
“No visibility of government linked companies or ministries.”
“Media coverage was absent, no interviews, no documentation.”
Strategic Implications
Wasted exhibitor ROI due to poor audience targeting
Missed partnership opportunities for cross sector deployment
Erosion of confidence in Malaysia’s drone AI event credibility
Disconnect between promotional claims and actual execution
DTA2025 suffered from critically low exhibitor numbers, undermining its potential as a global commercialization platform.
Many leading drone R&D countries were absent, including
Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, UAE, and Australia
No representation from top tier drone manufacturers or AI integrators
No institutional delegations from foreign chambers or tech clusters
Malaysia missed the chance to host cross border innovation dialogues, strategic MoUs, and investor matchmaking.
MDCoCI’s Outreach Blocked by Institutional Silence
MDCoCI formally reached out to MATRADE via
Official emails with strategic proposals
Direct phone calls to designated officers
WhatsApp follow ups with clear intent to organize online meetings
Objective To initiate country specific brainstorming sessions with MATRADE’s overseas offices and trade commissioners, aimed at
Engaging local drone AI associations and chambers
Inviting foreign manufacturers to exhibit at DTA2025
Building bilateral commercialization pipelines
No Response. No Action. No Alignment.
MATRADE failed to respond or acknowledge MDCoCI’s outreach.
No online meetings were arranged. No support was extended.
This silence contradicts MATRADE’s mandate to promote Malaysian trade and support strategic chambers.
Malaysia’s global drone AI credibility was compromised by this institutional disconnect.
Why Drone Tech Asia 2025 Faced Low Turnout & Visibility
Despite its global potential and MDCoCI’s formal endorsement, Drone Tech Asia 2025 (DTA2025) at MITEC witnessed low exhibitor turnout and modest visitor participation both local and international. The core issue?
Insufficient mainstream media coverage
Weak institutional amplification
Lack of strategic circulation by government linked agencies and ministries
Many Malaysians, including industry stakeholders, reported they were unaware of DTA2025’s existence, especially when compared to the visibility of other expos routinely promoted by national media and trade bodies. This signals a critical gap in Malaysia’s drone AI ecosystem narrative one that must be urgently addressed to avoid further erosion of global positioning and stakeholder confidence.
DTA2025’s Foundational Efforts Led by Aerosea Exhibitions Sdn Bhd
Drone Tech Asia 2025 was initiated and executed by Aerosea Exhibitions Sdn Bhd, who led the development of Malaysia’s drone AI exhibition platform. Despite limited institutional backing, Aerosea delivered
Full scale exhibition infrastructure
Strategic alignment with MDCoCI’s commercialization goals
A platform for local innovators, entrepreneurs, and drone users
This was a groundbreaking effort to seed Malaysia’s drone AI ecosystem, encourage industry growth, and empower individuals to become users, developers, and startup founders. Such efforts must be supported in far greater measure by ministries, agencies, GLCs, universities, and media institutions.
Government Advisory MATRADE’s Missed Opportunity to Amplify DTA2025
MATRADE communicates daily with thousands of registered members via its Member Portal, Business Information Centre, and MADANI Digital Trade (MDT) platform. These channels routinely circulate
Market intelligence and export opportunities
Business matching and trade fair invitations
Grant and incentive updates
Yet, no formal bulletin or strategic push for DTA2025 was observed across these platforms.
No targeted outreach to drone, AI, or green tech exporters
No integration into MATRADE’s marketing missions or buyer matching programs
This silence undermines Malaysia’s positioning in the global drone AI race and contradicts the national directive for inclusive tech development.
PMX’s Directive vs Reality
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) emphasized that Malaysia’s AI vision must uplift lives, foster inclusion, and reflect Southeast Asian values not merely chase technological prestige. He launched the ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit 2025 with a call for real world impact, not symbolic headlines.
Yet, DTA2025’s muted visibility and lack of institutional support contradict this directive.
No coordinated amplification from federal ministries
No state level engagement or coverage
No mainstream media spotlight despite MDCoCI’s strategic endorsement
State Level Coverage Sparse and Fragmented
Only a handful of state linked news outlets acknowledged DTA2025. Coverage was limited to
Federal level remarks by MITI’s Deputy Minister
NAICO Malaysia’s participation under MITI’s aerospace mandate
Organiser statements via PR channels
No coordinated coverage from state governments such as Selangor, Penang, Johor, or Sarawak despite their active roles in tech and industrial development. This absence reflects a broader disconnect in regional engagement.
Who Should Have Participated Malaysia’s Drone AI Ecosystem Authorities
Policy & Strategic Oversight
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
Ministry of Digital
Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI)
Coordinating & Innovation Agencies
MRANTI
MDEC
NAICO Malaysia
Regulatory & Safety Bodies
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM)
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM)
Trade & Promotion Agencies
MATRADE
Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
SME Corp Malaysia
Defence, Security & Emergency Response
Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)
National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA)
Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)
Fire & Rescue Department (BOMBA)
Sectoral Ministries for Use Case Deployment
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Transport
Ministry of Higher Education
MDCoCI’s Institutional Blueprint
MDCoCI is actively
Formalizing new chambers and founder documentation for cross border expansion
Segmenting communications for LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Knowledge Rhythm
Integrating new partners into MoU scope documents with clear roles and recognition
Activating media platforms to honor contributors and document institutional legacy
Speaker Composition & Strategic Warning Reality Check Against Global Standards
With the absence of international exhibitors and institutional support, the DTA2025 organizer is now left to manage a speaker lineup that is almost entirely local. While this offers a platform for Malaysian voices, it also exposes a critical gap in global benchmarking.
Current Reality
Speaker pool is 90%+ local, with minimal foreign expert participation
No representation from global drone manufacturers, AI labs, or regulatory bodies
Panel diversity and technical depth fall short of international standards
Yes, it’s free. Yes, it’s appreciated. But the reality must be acknowledged.
Malaysia’s drone AI credibility is on display this is not a casual seminar.
Every speaker must elevate their delivery, content, and strategic framing.
Benchmark against global events like Japan Drone Expo, InterDrone USA, and Dubai Drone Show.
Avoid generic slides and shallow commentary this is a legacy building moment.
MDCoCI’s Advisory to Organizers
Curate speaker sessions with precision and strategic intent
Include chamber led panels, MoU showcases, and commercialization case studies
Activate media documentation to honor contributors and amplify institutional value
Prepare post event speaker digest for international circulation and benchmarking
Our Call to Action
We urge
Government ministries to issue formal endorsements and deploy regulatory support
GLCs and MNCs to participate in DTA2025 and initiate strategic partnerships
Mainstream media to spotlight Malaysia’s drone AI journey and institutional milestones
MATRADE and MITI to circulate DTA2025 updates across all member channels with urgency
State governments to align with national directives and amplify drone AI initiatives
Educational and research bodies to integrate drone AI into national development frameworks
Malaysia must not remain a spectator in the global drone AI race. DTA2025 was the launchpad. MDCoCI stands ready to lead but we need every institutional engine firing.
We call for an official meeting for rectifying the unattended issue by the most important and relevant organisation.
Press Release & News
Email news@mdcoci.org
Mobile +6 019 657 7899
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Elanggovan Thanggavilo
MDCoCI Founder & Special Advisor
+6 010 278 6771
elanggovanthanggavilo@mdcoci.org
Government Advisory MATRADE’s Role in Drone AI Ecosystem Visibility
As Malaysia’s national trade promotion agency, MATRADE maintains daily communications with its registered members including manufacturers, traders, service providers, chambers, and associations through its Member Portal, Business Information Centre, and the MADANI Digital Trade (MDT) platform. These channels offer
Market intelligence and product research
Business matching with international buyers
Access to export grants and incentives
Virtual trade fair participation
Daily updates and curated trade opportunities
Yet, despite this robust infrastructure, there is no evidence of consistent or strategic circulation of Drone Tech Asia 2025 (DTA2025) content to MATRADE’s member base. This includes
No formal bulletins or circulars spotlighting DTA2025 as a national level drone AI showcase
No targeted outreach to drone, AI, or green tech exporters to participate or align with MDCoCI’s endorsed platform
No integration of DTA2025 into MATRADE’s specialized marketing missions or international buyer matching programs
MATRADE Communications vs DTA2025 Visibility
MATRADE’s Regular Outreach
Daily email bulletins sent to thousands of registered exporters and members
Weekly trade updates covering:
Export opportunities
Trade missions and exhibitions
Market intelligence and buyer matching
Specialized circulars for sector specific events (e.g., halal, E&E, green tech)
MADANI Digital Trade (MDT) platform used for curated digital outreach
DTA2025 Coverage: Practically Absent
No formal circulars or bulletins spotlighting Drone Tech Asia 2025
No targeted outreach to drone, AI, or green tech exporters
No integration into MATRADE’s specialized marketing missions
No mention in weekly trade highlights or member alerts
No coordination with overseas trade offices to promote DTA2025 globally
Strategic Consequences
Members unaware of DTA2025 despite daily MATRADE updates
Missed opportunity to mobilize exporters, manufacturers, and investors
Contradiction between MATRADE’s mandate and actual support for drone AI sector
Strategic Implications
This lack of visibility and alignment risks
Undermining Malaysia’s positioning in the global drone AI race
Missing cross sectoral export opportunities for drone, AI, and green hydrogen ventures
Diluting institutional recognition for MDCoCI’s chamber led initiatives and MoU expansions
MDCoCI’s Recommendation to Government
We urge
MATRADE and MITI to formally circulate DTA2025 updates across all member channels with urgency
Integration of DTA2025 into export promotion missions, buyer matching, and grant eligible activities
Dedicated spotlight on MDCoCI’s strategic role as the chamber formalizing Malaysia’s drone AI ecosystem
Malaysia’s drone AI future demands institutional amplification. DTA2025 is the launchpad. MATRADE must be the megaphone.
Strategic Warning TVET & MOE Absence Contradicts National Directive
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) has repeatedly emphasized the importance of TVET, drone technology, and AI integration as pillars of Malaysia’s future economy. Yet, DTA2025 saw zero participation from technical schools, vocational colleges, or TVET institutions. This is not just an oversight it’s a strategic failure.
What Was Expected
MOE, JPK, and TVET institutions to actively integrate DTA2025 into their school calendars
Delegations of students and educators to attend, observe, and engage with drone AI exhibitors
Curriculum alignment with real world drone applications showcased at the event
Joint panels or workshops featuring educators, innovators, and chamber leaders
What Actually Happened
Not a single technical school delegation visited with students
No formal involvement from MOE, JPK, or TVET colleges
No student showcases, drone demos, or institutional booths
No effort to connect education with industry at a national level exhibition
Strategic Consequences
Malaysia’s youth were denied exposure to cutting edge drone AI technologies
TVET credibility weakened by lack of real world engagement
PMX’s directive diluted by institutional inaction
DTA2025’s educational legacy lost due to absence of structured participation
MDCoCI’s Advisory
MOE and JPK must immediately align future exhibitions with TVET deployment
Vocational schools must be mandated to participate in national tech events
Drone AI curriculum must be activated through chamber led partnerships
Student delegations must be prioritized in future commercialization platforms
Institutional Failure Where Were UTeM, Jelita TVET, MTUN TVET & Global Technical Universities?
Malaysia’s drone AI ecosystem demands high quality industrial engagement and academic alignment. Yet, when it mattered most during DTA2025 key technical institutions were absent, silent, and disengaged.
What Happened to UTeM, Jelita TVET, MTUN TVET?
No formal participation, no booths, no speaker representation.
No student delegations, no drone showcases, no curriculum tie ins.
No effort to align their TVET programs with the national level exhibition.
No media activation or institutional amplification of DTA2025.
Global Technical Universities Ignored the Call
No invitations extended to overseas drone tech universities or R&D labs.
No joint panels, no MoUs, no academic industry matchmaking.
No cross border institutional presence despite MDCoCI’s strategic outreach.
One Year of Planning Still No Engagement
DTA2025 was not a surprise. It was planned about a year in advance.
Local universities had every opportunity to align, prepare, and participate.
Yet none launched relevant activities, student mobilization, or research showcases.
No integration of drone AI into academic calendars or innovation pipelines.
Strategic Consequences
Malaysia’s academic credibility weakened in the eyes of global drone AI stakeholders.
TVET and technical universities missed a legacy building moment.
DTA2025’s institutional depth diluted by absence of thought leaders and educators.
MDCoCI’s Advisory
UTeM, Jelita TVET, MTUN TVET must be formally engaged in future exhibitions.
Global technical universities must be invited through chamber led diplomacy.
Academic institutions must activate drone AI curriculum and showcase talent.
Malaysia must never again host a national tech event without full spectrum academic participation.
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