MELAKA, Aug 30 — The government is exploring the possibility of holding the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Melaka in the future, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said, however, that substantial government investment would be needed to ensure the necessary infrastructure was adequately developed before the exhibition could be held in Melaka.
“Looking at Klebang, it is not far from Batu Berendam, which has an airport, and ships can also be berthed here. So, this is actually a location that could serve as an alternative to Langkawi.
“When LIMA is held in Langkawi, not many people are able to attend. But if it is held in Melaka, people from across the country could come. So, this is an alternative that we can explore, although as Datuk Rauf (Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh) said, it would require very substantial investment,” he said.
He spoke to reporters after launching the Civil-Military Cooperation Carnival (CIMIC) at Dataran 1Malaysia, Klebang, here today.
Earlier in his speech, Mohamed Khaled said the government planned to hold the biennial exhibition in Melaka if Langkawi was no longer deemed a suitable venue in the future.
He said the idea arose following the participation of six Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) ships in this year’s Melaka-level National Day celebrations.
Ab Rauf said the state government was prepared to host the international exhibition, but would first need to assess its capacity and the benefits it would bring to Melaka.
“Melaka is indeed a strategic location for hosting LIMA, but we also need to consider our capacity.
“This matter can be discussed at the federal government level later. If it truly benefits both the federal government and the state, then why not go ahead with it, God willing,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry’s Strategic Communications Unit said in a statement that CIMIC, being held from Aug 29 to 31, serves as a platform to strengthen civil-military cooperation while giving the public an opportunity to learn more about the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).
