REMOTE SENSING MALAYSIA (RSM) Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (Remote Sensing Malaysia, RSM), formerly known as Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES). A department under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia. In August 1988, Remote Sensing Agency was established as a Research and Development centre in remote sensing and related technologies. The agency were fully operationalized by January 1990. The RSM is equipped with computer system for satellite data image processing, geographic information system and global positioning system, satellite ground receiving station for real time data acquisition, microwave remote sensing laboratory (anechoic chamber, mobile scatterometer), remote sensing digital photographic laboratory and remote sensing data archiving and retrieval centre.

Location

Role of Remote Sensing Malaysia @ Core Activities Research and Development Data Services (MS ISO 9001:2000 certified) Training Services Consultancy Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

1. Research and Development (R&D) The R&D programme of ARSM is formulated to support user agencies in the management of agriculture production, natural resources, environment, disaster, security and land development. The programme also carries out the cabinet directives on the use of remote sensing technology to support implementing agencies in the planning, development and management of national resources. The success of this programme is achieved through active participation by government agencies, institutes of higher learning and private sectors. The R&D programme is divided into the following sub-programmes: Application Development Technology Development Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

2. Data Services (MS ISO 9001:2000 certified) One of Remote Sensing Malaysia's mandates is to provide remote sensing satellite images to all users in the country, including RazakSATsatellite data. RSM also responsible to enter into direct negotiations with foreign satellite operators for the procurement of direct reception of satellite images via Ground Receiving Station in Temerloh, Pahang. Acquisition of Radarsat-1, Spot 2, 4 and 5, Modis, OCM and NOAA satellite image satellite is done through this ground station, while Ikonos and QuickBird satellite images are accomplished through foreign ground stations. Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

3. Training Services Human Capital Development (HCD) programmes has been organised for user agencies. The main objective of the programmes is to increase skilled and trained work force in user agencies in remote sensing and related technologies. The activities include trainings, workshops, seminars, conferences and various customized courses to meet specific users' requirements. The training includes hands-on practices on basic and advanced image processing, satellite data integration, image interpretation and classification. Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

4. Consultancy Services Consultancy services are provided in various application for both government and private sectors. Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

Major National Programmes Integrated Geospatial Database And Planning (IGDP) System Disaster Management Fishing Zone Identification Rice Monitoring and Yield Prediction System Precision Farming Monitoring of Environmentally Sensitive Areas Microwave Remote Sensing Research and Development Integrated Remote Sensing and GIS Software Development Satellite Image Map Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

Example 1: Integrated Geospatial Database And Planning (IGDP) System Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

Example 2: Precision Farming Concept Precision Farming Processes for Rice Crop Fertilizer Recommendation Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

Example 3: Microwave Remote Sensing Research and Development The developments of L-band and P-band mobile scatterometer and C-band Airborne SAR are also currently being undertaken. In modeling and application development, fundamental research involving laboratory and field measurement has resulted in the development of theoretical and application models for monitoring and yield forecasting of paddy and oil palm crops. Anechoic Chamber  Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI C-band Ground-based Scatterometer 

Example 4: Satellite Image Map (SIM) Satellite Image Map (SIM) project was developed by ARSM in partnership with the Department of Surveying and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM). SIM consists of ortho-rectified satellite remote sensing image overlaid with selective corresponding topographic data, transportation network, hydrological network and administrative.  Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

Satellite Image Map of Putrajaya Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI Satellite Image Map of Kuantan

Data Services LANDSAT - 5&7 SPOT - 1,2,4&5 RADARSAT – 1 QUICKBIRD IKONOS MODIS OCM NOAA  SPOT 5 SUPERMODE PANSHARP (ORTHORECTIFY) Copyright ©2005 Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (ARSM), MOSTI

Tree Counting From Satellite Imagery Utilizing techniques to automatically extract features from satellite imagery has contributed significantly in vegetation structure mapping and building extraction. Ongoing research is focusing on a tree counting project where the importance of developing a stable and adjustable ruleset is significantly important to lessen human intervention to the counting process. A program was developed using 0.5m and 1m resolution satellite images of major plantation estates in Asia. The accuracy of tree counting result is now proven and is being applied in practical projects.

Improvements Taken for Automatic Tree Counting

Boundaries of SPIDS’ Oil Palm Areas Phase 15: 7th February 2007 Data: Quickbird XS Pan-Sharpened

Example of the Palm Counting Process

Accuracy Assessment No. Palm Block Age (Year) Number of palms counted visually Number of palms counted from filtered image (in GIS) Accuracy (%) 1 12 / 2A 2 396 382 96.4 19 / 2B 5 465 469 99.1 3 21 / 3A 10 383 387 98.9 4 22 / 3B 13 445 451 98.7 33 / 4A 18 431 439 98.1