Government Explores Alternative LIMA Venue to Maintain Regional Edge

KOTA TINGGI, Sept 5 — The proposal to explore an alternative venue for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) is aimed at keeping the biennial event competitive amid rising regional rivalry among defence exhibitions, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

Continuous improvements to venue size and exhibition infrastructure have become necessary, particularly as neighbouring Southeast Asian nations expand their own defence shows.

“The competition to organise such exhibitions is very, very strong. If we do not improve the facilities and expand the area, we may see fewer participants,” Mohamed Khaled told reporters today after presenting National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) Loan Advance Payments (WPP) to 172 recipients.

“Indonesia and Vietnam do it, Thailand does it as well. That’s why we have to constantly make improvements,” he added.

His remarks came in response to views expressed by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who advocated for LIMA to remain on Langkawi Island given its status as an established, globally recognised brand. Dr Mahathir noted that if current facilities in Langkawi can no longer meet expanding requirements, the government should evaluate options to ensure international industry participation remains unhindered.

The minister previously indicated that the government would explore the feasibility of hosting future editions in Melaka, noting that Klebang was among the locations that could be considered. However, he emphasized that establishing suitable convention and exhibition facilities in Klebang would require substantial capital investment.

Mohamed Khaled pointed to spatial constraints faced by other domestic defence shows, citing Defence Services Asia (DSA) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, where limited space restricts the display of large defence vehicles and assets.

By comparison, major international events in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are hosted at vast, single-level exhibition grounds complemented by open-air display areas.

“In Kuala Lumpur, we had to put all the vehicles inside and there was not enough space to accommodate them,” Mohamed Khaled said. “So, perhaps (we can consider other locations), but the parties involved need to invest in providing the necessary facilities. If we do not do this, many people may not participate in the exhibition we are organising.”

Asked whether the LIMA brand name would be retained if the exhibition were relocated elsewhere, the minister stated that it remains too early to make a definitive decision.

–NMT