Malaysian authorities use drones to curb spread of Covid-19

The drones were introduced in the first phase of the movement control order (MCO) by the Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Armed Forces to convey information and monitor the movement of the people.

The drones are equipped with loudspeakers to make announcements in the three languages of Malay, Chinese and Tamil, telling the public to stay home.

They have been deployed in the main Covid-19 hotspot areas, including Simpang Renggam in Kluang, Johor, Sungai Lui in Hulu Langat and Selangor.

The use of the drones has now been extended to the third phase of the MCO to ensure the public continues to obey the MCO.

Supt Rasha Asaldin Shafii, Head of the Drone Unit of the Air Operation Team, said: “The number of existing drones is maintained during the third phase of the MCO, focusing on marketplaces, residential areas, and villages nationwide.”

He added that the use of this technology has achieved its objective especially in terms of giving announcements and alerts.

The drones also capture pictures and video at the assigned locations to assist police to plan their enforcement tasks.