Hisham: Biggest ever Lima next year

KUALA LUMPUR: Around 600 exhibitors from 20 countries are expected to take part in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) Exhibition next May, says the Defence Ministry.

Around 110 aerial and maritime assets are expected to be showcased at the event, said Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at the preview of Lima 2023 at Wisma Pertahanan here yesterday.

Expressing his confidence in the global community’s widespread support for this event, he said next year’s iteration of the highly-anticipated event promises to help revive the economy since the pandemic caused the previous instalment to be cancelled.

“With the success of this year’s Defence Services Asia (DSA), there’s no reason not to hold Lima next year. The time is right,” Hishammuddin said, adding that based on previous iterations, next year’s Lima is shaping to be the biggest one ever.

“Several new additions are planned, among which is the drone showcase and drone race, as well as the space asset segments,” he added.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who was also at the event, said that the exhibition would help spur the economy, especially in maritime and aerospace commerce.

“As a maritime nation, we have to take advantage of the shipping industry – valued at more than RM15.3bil – in terms of creating and maintaining ships.

Working partners: Hishammuddin (third left) handing over the agreement to Alpine Integrated Solution Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Khairul Adib Abd Rahman whose company was given the right to organise Lima 2023. With them is Dr Wee (third from right). — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

“This sector involves the oil and gas, fisheries, cruise, docks and other supporting sectors,” he said, adding that the Melaka Strait is among the busiest sea lanes in the world.

Dr Wee said he hopes industry stakeholders would roundly support the exhibition.

On an unrelated matter, Hishamuddin said the status of Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin was not raised at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

“It was not discussed,” he said briefly when asked.

On May 26, Zuraida announced that she had quit Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia.

On Tuesday, she said that only the Prime Minister could decide her position as a Cabinet member as her former party colleagues called for her removal from the Cabinet upon her exit from the party.