Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the application process was to ensure that the use of drones, which is expanding, was well regulated to ensure safety.

“At the same time, I realise the current (application) process is rather manual. They (users) need to apply and the application process can take up to a maximum of 14 days. There is feedback stating that this is not suitable and (not) practical.

“I have discussed with the CAAM just now and I am given to understand there is a step towards a digital application system that can be implemented by year end,” he said at a media conference after officiating the launch of the eCLIPSE platform.

He said once the system was up, applications could be done digitally on smartphones via an app with approvals being given almost immediately.