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LANGKAWI, Nov 23 (Bernama) — The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 09) from Dec 1-5 will focus on maritime as participation in the segment has increased compared to aerospace.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 94 vessels would be taking part in the maritime static show at Awana Porto Malai compared to 71 vessels at LIMA 07.

“The public will also get to see Malaysia’s first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman,” he said after chairing a meeting on LIMA 09 here Monday.

The aerospace segment would not lack excitement as aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) would be putting up shows.

The reduced participation in the aerospace segment was due to air shows in Dubai, Paris, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia and also the economic slowdown.

Zahid said more than 300 companies from 24 countries led by Italy would be participating in LIMA 09, the tenth in the series.

He hoped that organiser HW Lima would improve facilities at LIMA to stop companies from moving on to exhibitions in Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.

In conjunction with LIMA 09, the Tourism Ministry will hold a food and handicraft exhibition and cultural shows at Awana Porto Malai and Kompleks Pekan Rabu in Kuah.

- BERNAMA

LANGKAWI, Nov 23 (Bernama) — The Customs Department has allowed vehicles with the “KV” plates here to be driven on the mainland for three months effective this month.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung said owners had to apply for permission from the department before taking their vehicles to the mainland.

At present vehicles with the “KV” plates could be driven on the mainland for only one month.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Customs Department office at Kuah Monday, Chor said he told Custom officers to speed up clearance of travellers during the five-day Langkawi International Aerospace and Maritime Exhibition 2009 from Dec 1.

More than 300 companies from 24 countries will be taking part in the event.

- BERNAMA

The Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort won the award in “Malaysia’s Leading Resort” category at the World Travel Awards event in London last Saturday.

The hotel’s sales and marketing director Stephanie Choi said the achievement was a proud one and raised the image of Langkawi as a world class tourist holiday destination.

“The hotel had previously won the Langkawi 2008 award for Outstanding Resort from the Langkawi Development Authority and the Langkawi Tourism body,” she added, in a statement here, Friday.

The World Travel Awards is organised to give recognition as well as honour excellence in the global travel and tourism industry.

Stephanie also said that to ensure maximum satisfaction for its clients, the 238-room hotel will continue to enhance its services in line with the recognition just received.

This years voting was the highest in the history of the World Travel Awards, with 183,000 professionals voting to pick the best promoters of the travel, tourism, hospitality and services industry in Asia.

– BERNAMA

Rahsia Estate Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Riverbank Suites Sdn Bhd, plans to launch its first niche mixed residential and commercial development project in Pulau Langkawi in March next year.

The “Rahsia Estate’s Island Residences and Spa Langkawi” will be located situated on 15 acres of undulating land.

Rahsia Estate’s group chief executive officer Hanizah Tun Abdul Hamid said the project’s present development was valued at RM250 million.

“This high-end project will consist of luxury corporate retreat bungalows and semi-duplex precincts,” she said.

Haniza said the company was targeting both domestic and international markets but for now, tourists are expected to be more keen on such projects in line with the government’s second home campaign.

She was speaking to reporters after a signing ceremony between Rahsia Estate and Amanah Raya Bhd on sponsorship for two Islamic studies students to pursue their education at the well-known Al-Azhar University in Egypt.

Also present were Amanah Raya chairman Datuk Dusuki Ahmad and Rahsia Estate chairman Toh Puan Azian Ghazali.

Hanizah said the Langkawi project, comprising two phases initially, could replace similar offerings in Phuket, Thailand, due to better infrastructure, and economic and political stability.

“The company also looking at a new site for phase three which will be in Langkawi too with an area of 20 to 25 acres,” she said.

Asked about sales during the economic slowdown, Haniza said the company’s business has not been affected as it was not depending on a single market.

The company expects the economy to recover and regain its strength by the first half of next year, she said.

“When banks start to offer more loans, we believe the recovery process can be faster as currently many banks are very conservative in this matter,” she added.

The Langkawi project is scheduled to be completed in 36 months following the launch in March 2010.

– BERNAMA

Langkawi will play host to the inaugural Asian Sailing Championships from Dec 12-20.

The Kuah Harbour will act as the racing area and National Sailing Centre as the shore venue.

Organised under the authority of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), the Asian meet will feature the Optimist Individual events (boys and girls) and the Optimist Team Racing event.

The event launching was held in Langkawi yesterday and Malaysia Yachting Association deputy president Lukman Abu Bakar said Malaysian sailors would have a fair shot at winning top honours.

Tournament secretary Lawrence Yeow confirmed that 140 sailors from 30 countries, including China, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and hosts Malaysia, had confirmed participation when entries closed at the end of October.

Among the top Malaysian sailors taking part are Korat SEA Games gold medallist Mohd Romzi Mohamad and Khairunisa Affendy. – The Star

LANGKAWI, Nov 2 (Bernama) — Thirteen- year-old Mohamad Faizal Norizan’s future is set to be smooth-sailing.

The national teenage sailor has been selected a recipient of the Selangor Athletes Education fund, following his emergence as runner-up in the World Sailing Championship in Niteroi, Brazil recently.

Selangor Sports Council executive director Mohd Zubir Idrus said the teenager was selected along with two other national swimmers.

“The fund will be used to sponsor Mohamad Faizal to further his studies in a course of his choice when he finishes school,” he told Bernama after handing over contributions of RM500 to the athletes at the Langkawi Sail Training Centre here.

Mohamad Faizal, a Form One student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kelibang Kuah,here, is currently undergoing training at the centre.

His other successes include being runner-up for the IODA World Championship 2009 in Niteroi, Brazil and helping Malaysia win the best team title at the same event.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Yachting Association (MYA) general manager Mohd Afendy Abdullah said such contributions would raise the spirit and motivate the national sailor.

He said, however, he was disappointed with the National Sports Council athletes affairs division for not rewarding the national sailor who had made Malaysia proud at international-level.

“They should give national sailors rewards or recognition for giving their best in a world event participated by 247 sailors from 48 countries,” he said.

Malaysia will be hosting the 2010 World Championship in Langkawi.

- BERNAMA

LANGKAWI, Oct 14 (Bernama) — The National Sports Council will take in three extra shooters to join the national Full-Bore Rifle squad in preparation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.

The council’s Elite branch director, Ariffin Mohd Ghani, said today that with the extras, there were currently six shooters in the squad to undergo training at the Langkawi International Shooting Range (Lisram).

He said the council had high hopes for the squad to defend their silver medal bagged in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

On the squad’s preparation for the SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos in December, Ariffin said 15 national shooters were undergoing a two-week training at Lisram, beginning Tuesday.

He said the squad would also participate in the South East Asia Shooting Championship in Bangkok, Thailand from Oct 29 to Nov 9, as part of training enhancement for SEA Games.

– BERNAMA