Malaysia affirms its regional leadership in space law through the successful hosting of the PMPA 2025 Moot Court Competition, positioning itself as a hub for legal innovation in the space sector.
NILAI, Dec 7 — Malaysia has taken a bold step in asserting its leadership in space governance with the conclusion of the Space Law Moot Court Competition 2025 (PMPA 2025), held at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). The event marked the country’s first national-level moot dedicated to space law, drawing participation from 12 teams across nine universities, and underscoring the nation’s commitment to cultivating legal expertise in this emerging field.
Organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) in collaboration with USIM and the Malaysian Innovation Foundation (YIM), the competition served as a strategic platform to strengthen Malaysia’s legal literacy in space-related matters. The initiative aligns with the National Space Policy 2030 (DAN2030), which aims to grow the space sector’s contribution to 1% of GDP and develop 5,000 specialised experts by the end of the decade.
Importance of Space Law
MOSTI’s Deputy Secretary-General (Planning and Science Culture), Datuk Ruziah Shafei, in her closing address highlighted the urgency of space law as a national and global security imperative. “Space law is no longer a theoretical discipline; it has become a necessity. Nations that fail to understand their international obligations risk facing major liabilities and severe security threats,” she said.
The competition embraced a multidisciplinary approach, integrating civil law, Shariah principles, space policy, and technological applications. This reflects USIM’s dual mandate as a reference centre for both civil and Islamic legal studies. The event also featured side programmes including the National Space Law Conference 2025, webinars, podcasts, and an exclusive interview with the MOSTI Minister, Mr Chang Lih Kang further enriching the educational experience.
MOSTI’s Space Regulator, Dr Mhd Fairos Asillam, noted that the competition was designed not only to test advocacy skills but also to nurture future space lawyers capable of representing Malaysia in international forums such as the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The Oral Advanced Rounds, held from 5-7 December, saw six finalist teams selected from the initial twelve. While the names of the finalist institutions remain confidential under competition rules, the winning team will represent Malaysia at the Asia-Pacific round of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition in Gujerat, India, in 2026, with professional training sponsored by MOSTI.
Space Governance and Legislation
The PMPA 2025 also spotlighted Malaysia’s legislative progress in space governance, including the Malaysian Space Board Act 2022 [Act 834], the Space Object Accident Investigation Guidelines, and Malaysia’s participation in key UN treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty 1967 and the Registration Convention 1975.
Minister Chang Lih Kang praised the initiative as a milestone in Malaysia’s journey toward becoming a regional centre for space law and policy. “This competition can produce a generation of young lawyers ready to safeguard national interests as we compete on the global stage,” he said.
This year’s competition showcased outstanding performances from all teams, with the official results as follows:
Champion: Universiti Malaya (UM)
Runner-Up: Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
Best Mooter (Individual): Universiti Malaya (UM)
Best Memorial (Two Teams): Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
The closing ceremony brought together academics, legal practitioners, industry representatives, and government officials, all of whom contributed to the success of this landmark event. With its blend of legal rigor, policy relevance, and youth engagement, PMPA 2025 has set a new benchmark for space law education in Southeast Asia. – NMH
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