Elon musk's Starlink satellite internet is now available for subscription in Malaysia #starlink
Just landed: Starlink announced its arrival in Malaysia with a photo of its electronic phased array antenna set against a backdrop of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. — @Starlink/Twitter
PETALING JAYA: Starlink’s satellite-based broadband service is now available in Malaysia, following the Prime Minister’s virtual meeting with Elon Musk on July 14.
This makes Malaysia the 60th country to be served by the Musk-owned satellite constellation.
The service, which doesn’t come with a contract, requires users to self-install the hardware and purchase the starter kit.
Customers can try out its service for 30 days and return the hardware for a full refund if they are not satisfied with it.
In an announcement on July 20, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that Malaysia issued the licence to allow Starlink to provide Internet services locally.
He added that the government is prepared to cooperate with satellite communication firms such as Starlink to achieve 100% Internet coverage in populated areas.
However, Dr Sean Seah, Malaysian Space Industry Corporation (Masic) pro tem deputy president, is concerned that Starlink’s entry could put local companies at a disadvantage.
"Furthermore, currently Malaysia has achieved more than 96% nationwide Internet connectivity coverage (Malaysia Stats Dept 2022) with services from Malaysian companies without Starlink."
"Chances must be given to local companies that have invested billions, before bringing in Starlink to compete with them," he said.
He also claimed that Malaysia may be exposed and risks being under "surveillance" or "profiling" by Starlink satellites, adding that they are also "not owned, controlled, or regulated" by Malaysian regulators and law enforcement, and Starlink has been given a "special exemption" to operate in Malaysia as a 100% foreign-owned entity.
"This may lead to national sovereignty issues," Seah said in a statement.
Starlink’s Starlink Kit comes with an electronic phased array antenna with a base suited for ground installation, a WiFi router and cables.
The standard version, which Starlink recommends for “residential users and everyday Internet applications” costs RM2,300.
The high-performance kit, which is priced at RM11,613, is recommended for “power users and enterprise applications”.
Starlink claimed that the high-performance kit offers improved weather resistance, three times better speeds at temperatures above 35°C and better visibility, especially in areas with unavoidable obstructions.
Starlink’s Internet plan offers up to 100Mbps (megabits per second) download speed and costs RM220 monthly.
Customers will also have to pay an additional RM100 for shipping and handling fees, with delivery times expected to be between one and two weeks.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a discussion with Musk on July 14, welcoming the company’s decision to invest in Malaysia, which includes launching Tesla EVs and Starlink.
In an online report, Anwar said that he has ordered 40 Starlink sets for schools, colleges and universities.
Geely and Tesla..and conducive ecosystem provide support
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on the right path to become an electric vehicle (EV) powerhouse in South-East Asia with the government aggressively promoting a conducive EV ecosystem, supported by strong business commitment shown by two world-renowned automotive companies, Geely and Tesla.
Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain said the entry of China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co, or simply Geely, and United States-headquartered Tesla Inc into the Malaysian market serves as a clear indication of the country’s relevance in the regional automotive landscape.
He said the two auto makers, with their vast global experience and access to leading technologies, could introduce new ideas and ways of doing businesses to the local automotive sector, such as high-tech research and development (R&D) in new products that might not be currently available in the country.
“For example, electrification means a change in vehicle components, with more focus given to battery manufacturing and other specialised components for EVs.“We would also see the industry adopting new skillsets and infrastructure suited to varying degrees of electrification – from mild hybrids to fully electric vehicles – besides reskilling or upskilling the automotive workforce, whilst opening up new opportunities for innovation, R&D and high-value manufacturing of components,” he told Bernama.
He added that with the right government support, infrastructure and policies in place, Malaysia is well positioned to be a regional hub supporting the global growth of EVs given its strategic positioning and favourable economic conditions.
Malaysia is a major electrical and electronics manufacturing hub in South-East Asia; therefore, he said, automakers and automotive investors can seamlessly leverage on this capacity to secure their supply chains for growing their production of next-generation vehicles.
The components sub-sector can be capitalised on to service the whole automotive value chain, covering semiconductors, sensors, automotive electronics, transceivers, batteries, and vehicle assembly.
Mohd Shamsor said with more than 40 brands in the domestic market currently, the entry of new players would undoubtedly add greater excitement to the market and generate more interest among consumers.
Besides, it would also create a buyer’s market by providing more choices and increasing competitiveness, keeping all automotive players on their toes and resulting in better services and offerings for consumers.
“Malaysia may be new to the EV industry, but with the solid support of the current government and progressive national policies coupled with fast-growing consumer uptake, we foresee rapid holistic growth in our local EV market.
“New players in the EV space will lead to greater competition, which in turn will spur more investments from automotive players and improvements in the quality of products and services offered,” he pointed out.
Additionally, Mohd Shamsor said, with more EVs, including the completely knocked down models, coming into the country, there would also be new business opportunities for the vendors.
Meanwhile, Icats University College pro vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Shazali Abu Mansor said EV is still considered as a niche market for the domestic automotive landscape, and that strong demand and supply are equally important for the industry to penetrate the Malaysian market at a meaningful rate.
He said as Malaysia manages its competitive advantages according to world standards, major adjustments in the structure of employment, tax, and subsidy allocation are inevitable in the journey towards creating critical mass.
“In some prominent EV countries, carbon tax is implemented to encourage both consumers and manufacturers to shift towards more environment-friendly vehicles.
“Malaysia used to be an agriculture and commodity-based country, but now the economy boasts robust manufacturing and service sectors, and is going to be a high-tech nation by 2030.
“We must move on and make way for new changes,” he reckoned.
Artillery is fired during joint military drills at a firing range in northern Australia as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre, the largest combined training activity between Australia and the US, in Shoalwater Bay, Australia, on July 22, 2023. Photo:AFP
https://youtu.be/pcLmsx7eOBo
If there’s another outbreak of conflict on Korean Peninsula, S. Korea will be the first to suffer
The largest ever ongoing Australia-US joint military exercise, which involves 13 countries, has been deemed as a "paper tiger" by Chinese experts. Though impressive on paper, the exercise cannot really persuade all participants to serve the US' purpose, experts said.
The two-week-long military exercise, known as Talisman Sabre 2023, officially commenced on Friday. It is the largest since 2005, with more than 30,000 military personnel from 13 countries participating, according to media reports. Reuters described it as a "show of force and unity at a time when China has emerged as an increasingly assertive power in the Indo-Pacific."
"The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together, is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist amongst our many nations," US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro was quoted as saying by Reuters during an opening ceremony in Sydney.
The US' purpose of roping in countries such as Australia and other allies in its Indo-Pacific military encirclement of China, as well as preparing for future military adventures, is evident through the "unprecedented" military exercise, Chen Hong, executive director at the Asia Pacific Studies Center of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Saturday.
Chen criticized the US for continuously exacerbating regional tensions and insecurity.
The military exercise also coincides with the upcoming visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to visit Papua New Guinea and Australia next week, during which Austin plans to join US Secretary of State Blinken to attend Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) and observe military exercises.
However, the military excise that has been labeled by the West as "the largest in the 18-year history of the exercise" that is intended to send a clear message to China was more of a "paper tiger," Chen noted.
US officials often brag about the "core values" shared by their allies and partners. However, Chinese military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the US has been trying to coerce these countries in the name of "defending their security and democratic values" and kidnap them by hyping up threats involving China, Russia and North Korea.
By playing word games, the US is only aiming to maintain its own global hegemony and participating countries also have their own petty calculations, Song noted.
Though impressive on paper, the exercise cannot really persuade all participants to serve the US' purpose, even Australia has certain reluctance, not to mention the rest, the two experts noted.
Media reports claimed this year is the first time that Germany has participated in the exercise, sending 210 paratroopers and marines. Chinese experts said since Merkel left office, Germany's diplomatic independence has been undermined, but they questioned whether Germany would really take more actions to back the US military adventure and the symbolic significance of Germany's participation in the exercise far outweighs the substantive significance.
For Australia, Chen said located in the South Pacific region where is safe and peaceful, Australia can be hardly challenged in terms of security, but unfortunately, it has been growingly pushed into a blind alley by the manipulation of the US and has become a pawn in the US' chess game. Australia will be equipped with nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS deal and has become more aggressive militarily by investing more in the development of military equipment, the expert noted.
Chen reminded Australia to maintain its strategic independence in order to protect its national interests. Excessive military adventurism will only put Australia on a more insecure position and hinder its own development, Chen warned.
Japan's Self Defense Force is scheduled to conduct a live fire demonstration of its Type 12 Surface-to-Ship missile (SSM) at a weapons range at Jervis Bay, south of Sydney on Friday, according to ABC.
South Korea has brought two warships and self-propelled howitzers as well as a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) known as Chunmoo to the exercise. It will showcase its rocket technology during the Talisman Sabre, the ABC report said.
Song told the Global Times that both Japan and South Korea have their own intentions in developing their military industries by attending the Talisman Sabre. Testing equipment in Australia is taken as a way to prove their equipment can well adapt to different climates and be utilized across the globe, which will boost their arms exports.
Chinese experts also slammed Western hype surrounding the sailing of a Chinese ship off the coast of Australia that labeled it as a spy ship.
Rebuking commentators from the US and Australia who described China's act of sending ships to regional waters as "aggressive," Chen said such claims are baseless and unfounded, and that the US and Australia should respect the right of other countries to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in international seas and airspace,
The Chinese naval flotilla warships and ship-borne helicopters to participate in the "Northern/Interaction-2023" military drills have left military ...
