20-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) The Malaysian government has issued a licence to Starlink, the satellite communications service launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to provide internet services in the country, with a focus on remote areas, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil on July 20. The minister added that Starlink would initially provide its services to schools and higher education institutions, while the government was also willing to collaborate with satellite communications firms, including Starlink, to ensure that populated areas had 100% internet coverage. Roughly 3% of Malaysia’s populated areas face issues with internet access due to geographical and infrastructure challenges.
The announcement comes one week after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a call with Musk to discuss his companies investing in Malaysia. Earlier this year, the government announced that Tesla, Musk’s electric vehicle (EV) maker, would open an office in Malaysia, and approved the company’s application to import battery-run EVs into the country, as part of a wider government effort to promote sustainable mobility.
Separately on July 20, Tesla unveiled its sport utility electric vehicle, the Model Y, at an event in Kuala Lumpur, with deliveries to Malaysia slated to begin next year. The rear-wheel drive model will start at RM199,000 ($43,765.12), according to a Tesla statement.
