By Ir. Ts. KJ Tan, FIEM, JP onEngineering Matters
(April 12): Sabah is one of Malaysia’s most scenic and geographically unique states. With its mountainous terrain, lush rainforests and frequent tropical downpours, it also faces a serious challenge — landslides and slope failures. These problems don’t just threaten the environment; they endanger lives, damage infrastructure, and interrupt key development projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway.
In areas with difficult access and fragile ecosystems, traditional slope protection methods like concrete retaining walls or geotextiles can be very costly, disruptive, and difficult to apply. But a new generation of technology is offering hope: drones — also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Drones are being increasingly used to gather accurate data, monitor slope conditions, and support construction and environmental recovery work. However, their use in Sabah is not without complications.
From regulatory hurdles to technical and environmental constraints, there’s a lot to consider. Let us examine how drones can help with slope stabilization, what’s holding them back, and what can be done to unlock their full potential for Sabah.
A drone unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in stable hover during operation.
How Drones Can Help Stabilize Slopes in Sabah
1. Accurate Mapping and 3D Terrain Models
Before any slope can be stabilized, engineers need a detailed understanding of the terrain. Drones fitted with advanced sensors such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or high-resolution cameras can fly over difficult terrain and create detailed maps and 3D models. These visuals allow engineers to spot problem areas — like cracks or steep slopes — before they lead to disaster.
In places like the Cameron Highlands, this kind of drone-based mapping has already proven useful in identifying landslide risks. In Sabah, where many slope areas are difficult to reach on foot, this can make slope analysis faster, safer, and more cost-effective.
Slope failure resulting in a major landslide and road collapse.
2. Real-Time Slope Monitoring
Rain is one of the biggest triggers for landslides in Sabah. Drones can be used to monitor slope areas regularly — especially after heavy downpours. Equipped with thermal and multispectral cameras, drones can detect warning signs like soil moisture build-up, vegetation changes, or cracks that may not be visible to the naked eye.
For example, in Hulu Langat, Selangor, drones were successfully used after a landslide to help monitor and manage recovery works. In Sabah, similar real-time monitoring could help prevent accidents before they occur.
3. Delivery of Stabilization Materials
Many of Sabah’s risky slopes are in remote areas where it’s hard — and dangerous — for workers to carry materials. Drones can help by delivering lightweight items such as seeds for vegetation planting, small geotextile rolls, or even sensor devices for long-term monitoring.
While still in its early stages in Malaysia, this kind of drone delivery has already been tested for medical supplies in rural East Malaysia. This shows the potential to expand its use for slope management as well.
4. Monitoring Results After Stabilization
Once a slope has been stabilized — whether through vegetation, soil nails, or retaining walls — drones can help evaluate whether the measures are working. By comparing aerial data taken before and after intervention, engineers can see how the slope is recovering over time and make adjustments if needed.
This is especially useful for techniques like mixed-vegetation planting, where success depends on root growth and soil condition, both of which are hard to inspect manually over large areas.
Challenges & Issues of the application of Drones in Sabah
Despite their many benefits, using drones for slope stabilization in Sabah isn’t always smooth sailing. There are several key challenges:
1. Complicated Approval and Regulation Processes
Using drones in Sabah involves getting approvals from multiple authorities. These include the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), the Chief Minister’s Office, JTU and the Department of Survey and Mapping (JUPEM), among others.
In addition, special permissions are required if the drones are to be flown in sensitive or protected areas like parks, forests, or government land. Sabah Parks, for instance, prohibits recreational drone use, making it difficult to survey landslide-prone areas in conservation zones.
All these layers of approvals cause delays — especially when urgent surveys are needed after heavy rains or slope failures.
2. Technical Limitations of Current Drone Systems
• Short Battery Life: Most standard drones can only fly for 20 to 40 minutes before needing to recharge, which is a problem when covering large or hard-to-reach areas.
• Complex Data Analysis: Drone data is only useful if it can be turned into useful maps and reports. This often requires expensive software and skilled professionals — resources that may be lacking in rural or small-scale operations in Sabah.
• Signal Issues: Sabah’s thick forests and steep terrain can interfere with drone GPS and control signals, increasing the chances of crashes or data loss.
3. Environmental and Wildlife Concerns
• Weather Problems: Sabah’s weather is unpredictable. Heavy rain and strong winds make it difficult for drones to operate safely — especially during the monsoon season.
• Impact on Wildlife: Drones may disturb sensitive animal species in protected areas. For example, loud buzzing and camera flashes might stress out birds and mammals in conservation zones like Kinabalu Park.
4. Lack of Awareness and Confidence
Many local contractors and agencies are still unfamiliar with drone technology. According to a 2023 study, nearly 70% of infrastructure contractors in Malaysia said they didn’t trust drone data, fearing it may not be accurate or reliable enough for engineering decisions.
This skepticism means drones are often overlooked in favor of traditional (but slower and more expensive) methods.
5. Privacy and Social Resistance
In some communities — especially indigenous areas — there’s fear that drones may be used for surveillance. This leads to hesitation or resistance from local residents. On top of that, drone operators must also obey privacy laws and avoid flying over homes or private land without permission.
Proposed Solutions
Despite the challenges, there are clear and practical ways to help drones become part of Sabah’s slope stabilization strategy:
1. Simplify the Approval Process
• Create a One-Stop Permit Platform: A centralized online system could help speed up drone approvals by combining CAAM, JUPEM, state authorities, and environmental agencies under one roof.
• Fast-Track Emergency Flights: Special exemptions or fast-track permits could be introduced for time-sensitive missions in high-risk slope areas — similar to what has been done for medical drones in Sarawak.
2. Invest in Better Drone Technology
• Use Long-Flight Drones: Sabah could adopt hybrid or solar-powered drones that can fly for over an hour or cover 50+ km in one trip. These fixed-wing UAVs are ideal for large rural areas.
• Automated Data Processing: Smart software using Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help process drone-collected data faster and more accurately, reducing the need for external consultants. Local universities like UKM or UMS could help develop these solutions for Sabah.
3. Community Involvement and Education
• Run Public Workshops and Demos: Show the benefits of drones through pilot projects on real sites — such as slopes along the Pan Borneo Highway.
• Involve Local Communities: Train local residents, including indigenous communities, to help operate or monitor drones. This builds trust and combines traditional ecological knowledge with modern tools.
4. Prepare for Weather and Nature
• Weather-Resistant Drones: Drones like the DJI Matrice 300 are waterproof and can fly in rain and strong winds — perfect for Sabah’s challenging climate.
• Use Weather Forecasts for Smart Scheduling: Flight planning tools should include weather predictions to avoid bad flying conditions and maximize efficiency.
5. Promote Policy Support and Funding
• Include Drones in Development Plans: Sabah’s state development strategies (like Sabah Maju Jaya) can include funding to help local agencies and contractors buy or lease drones.
• Offer Research Grants: Encourage innovation by funding research projects focused on drone applications for slope stabilization. This includes developing seed-spraying drones for vegetation work or smart sensors for early warning systems.
Real-World Example: Pan Borneo Highway
The Pan Borneo Highway project has run into multiple slope-related delays due to landslides. In 2023, drone technology was tested to monitor slope erosion, map danger zones, and evaluate slope protection works such as gabion walls and soil nails.
The results were promising. Drone-based surveys cut costs by 40% and made it easier to plan and adjust construction works. However, delays caused by slow permit approvals and signal loss in dense forests limited the full impact — showing exactly why the proposed solutions are urgently needed.
Conclusion: A Smarter Way Forward
Drones have the power to revolutionize slope stabilization in Sabah. They are faster, safer, and more accurate than many traditional methods. But for this technology to succeed, Sabah must address several key issues: simplify the bureaucracy, invest in better tech, train people on the ground, and build public trust.
As climate change brings heavier rains and more frequent landslides, Sabah must act quickly. Drones can become an essential tool in safeguarding our people, infrastructure, and natural environment — if we create the right conditions for them to thrive.
