Tourism Langkawi {dot} Com

By: EMBUN MAJID

LANGKAWI: It’s all systems go for the latest edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) Exhibition 2009 with military aircraft and warships on showcase from today till Saturday.

The world-class platform for the aerospace and maritime industries is recording several firsts.
Swing-wing jet: An F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force rehearsing for the air show in Langkawi yesterday. — Bernama

The Royal Malaysian Navy’s first submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman will make its maiden appearance at the maritime segment show at Awana Porto Malai.

The Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarine is expected to be the main draw of the maritime show.

The exhibition has also recorded the largest number of ships anchored off Porto Malai – a total of 99 warships and vessels of all kinds.

Another first is the first appearance by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) with its AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopter and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, which are expected to carry out aerial displays to thrill the visitors.

Another debut is the huge B-52 bomber of the United States Air Force, which is expected to make a low-level fly-past routine.
Underwater defender: Malaysia’s first submarine, the ‘KD Tunku Abdul Rahman’, being moored at the Awana Porto Malai jetty yesterday. — Bernama

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who made final checks on preparations for the show yesterday, said this year’s event would see the maritime and aerospace exhibition being merged under one roof at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC).

Zahid said 10 memorandums of understanding on the de- fence and aerospace industries would be signed between Malaysia and participating countries.

Also for the first time, the 96th Armed Forces Hospital will provide medical treatment for participants and visitors to the exhibition venue.

A temporary army hospital with 50 beds, an operating theatre and a medical laboratory has been set up at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre parking area.

Tickets to the event cost RM10, while children below 12 are allowed free entrance.

The air show will only be opened to the public on Saturday.

A total of 325 exhibitors from 25 countries are participating in Lima this year.

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Some 384 companies from 24 countries will be exhibiting their products at this year’s Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (Lima 09) which will be held from Dec 1 to 5.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 20 countries had also agreed to hold static maritime shows involving 38 vessels at Awana Porto Malai.
He said the public would be given free entry on Dec 5 and that some 500,000 local and foreign visitors were expected to converge on the venue on that day.

“For the first time. the public will get to see Malaysia’s first submarine, the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman (on Dec 5). However, for safety and security reasons they will only be allowed to view it from the outside and will not be permitted to enter it,” he told reporters here today.

Ahmad Zahid said the Tourism Ministry would also have booths at the exhibition venues to promote Malaysian tourism in conjunction with the event.

There would also be a night market selling local products, he added. – BERNAMA

Tourism Malaysia