Minister Upset That Red Tape Has Scuttled Flying Car Test

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Entrepreneur Development Minister Redzuan Yusof is disappointed that regulations and the bureaucratic process are not evolving fast enough to meet the needs of industry, innovation and technological advancement.PETALING JAYA: Entrepreneur Development Minister Redzuan Yusof has voiced his frustration with bureaucratic processes, saying they have spoiled his plan to test the flying car
Speaking to FMT, he said it was disappointing that the development of an “ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship” was being held back by bureaucracy
Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook recently said the flying car was a drone and that the test flight would require the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia’s approval, which it did not get
“I understand that there is a need for regulations, and we are a government that adheres to the rule of law,” Redzuan said
“My concern is that our regulations and the bureaucratic process are not evolving fast enough to meet the needs of industry and of innovation and technological advancement
“This is something we must look at.”He said it wasn’t right to treat manned aerial vehicles as drones since drones were unmanned and subject to restrictions such as those relating to weight and flight purpose
He called for an overhaul of bureaucratic processes and regulatory frameworks to enable the development of an ecosystem promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
He said such an overhaul would be necessary if Malaysia wanted to be a leader instead of a follower
“Opportunities do not wait for hesitant followers. We can either grab them or let them pass us by.”Redzuan announced the flying car project early this year and has since been defending it against criticism and ridicule
He told FMT two local companies and a foreign company were planning to collaborate to produce as many as 10,000 flying cars for export to Indonesia and the Maldives
“We can create 2,000 jobs, and these aren’t low-value jobs,” he said. “If our regulations cannot keep up with the demands of the industry, we shouldn’t be surprised when these investments go elsewhere.”
The same would apply to all sectors and industries, he added. - FMT

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