Malaysia Considers Melaka as Alternative Venue for LIMA Exhibition

The Malaysian government announced on August 30, 2026, it is exploring hosting the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Melaka in the future, following the opening of the Civil-Military Cooperation Carnival (CIMIC) in Klebang, Melaka ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that holding LIMA in Langkawi limits attendance. "If it is held in Melaka, people from across the country could come. So, this is an alternative that we can explore," he said, while acknowledging the need for significant infrastructure investment ^[1].

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh described Melaka as "a strategic location for hosting LIMA," noting the state must assess its capacity before proceeding. "If it truly benefits both the federal government and the state, then why not go ahead with it, God willing," he added ^[2].

Melaka's Klebang area, near Batu Berendam Airport, offers a potential venue able to berth ships. The Defence Minister highlighted this proximity as a key factor, stating in Mandarin that Klebang's location and its ability to dock naval vessels could make it a suitable alternative to Langkawi ^[5].

The proposal gained momentum after six Royal Malaysian Navy ships participated in Melaka's 2026 National Day celebrations earlier this year, demonstrating the state's maritime capability and raising its profile as a host city ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

Melaka state government officials have expressed willingness to host LIMA but stress the importance of thoroughly evaluating infrastructure needs and the state's capacity to accommodate the event ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

Moving LIMA from Langkawi to Melaka would require considerable government investment to develop necessary facilities to support the exhibition and its expected visitors ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

The decision will be made at the federal level after consultations, balancing mutual benefits for both state and federal governments ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.

The current CIMIC event, held from August 29 to 31, 2026, at Dataran 1Malaysia in Klebang, aims to strengthen civil-military ties and highlight the Malaysian Armed Forces’ capabilities, further showcasing Melaka's potential as a host location ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}.