Tech Chat | Projected Coordinate Systems - Malaysia Datum introduction

As is known to all, we often use ellipsoid models to simulate the earth in geodesy, such as the common WGS84 ellipsoid. However, due to the differences in terrain and topography in different regions, the ellipsoid model cannot perfectly fit every corner. Therefore, different ellipsoids and projections are used in different countries and regions, and people often carry out measurement work through a projected coordinate system that is more consistent with their local terrain.

In this blog, we will introduce the major datum used in Malaysia. Except for some old Datum, the most commonly used projected coordinate system is GDM2000 now.

GDM2000

GDM stands for the Geocentric Datum of Malaysia, and GDM2000 was officially launched on 26th of August 2003.

Ellipsoid: GRS1980

Projection: Cassini-Soldner

Cassini-Soldner projection has four parameters - origin latitude, central meridian, false easting and false northing. Different states will have different values of the projection parameters. 

The above picture uses the parameters of Terengganu as an example.

GDM2000 has the following listed datums.

Old Datum

There are some projects that are still using the old datum, such as the Malaysian BRSO, MRSO, which use the Everest 1830 ellipsoid and the Hotine Oblique Mercator projection.

In addition to Malaysian projected coordinate systems parameters, you can also find more datums of other countries and regions in SingularXYZ SingularSurv or SingularPad field surveying software.

More about SingularSurv and SingularPad software

https://www.singularxyz.com/SingularPad.html
https://www.singularxyz.com/SingularSurv.html