{
  "id": 5718426,
  "title": "Alternative sites for LIMA proposed amid regional competition, says Khaled",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/alternative-sites-for-lima-proposed-amid-regional-competition-says",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-05T05:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/09/05/alternative-sites-for-lima-proposed-amid-regional-competition-says-khaled"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Defence Minister Khaled Nordin has proposed exploring alternative venues for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) to maintain the event's relevance amidst regional competition, according to a report by Bernama.\n\nNordin highlighted the growing number of neighbouring countries organising defence exhibitions, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, which are intensifying competition. He emphasised the need for improvements in venue size, facilities, and overall exhibition standards to prevent a decline in participation.\n\n\"If the site in Langkawi becomes too small, we need to consider alternative options to ensure a larger turnout,\" Nordin stated, responding to former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's stance that there is no urgency to relocate LIMA from Langkawi, given its international recognition.\n\nThe minister previously suggested hosting LIMA in Melaka in the future, acknowledging that significant government investment would be required to develop the necessary infrastructure at that location. Nordin pointed to the example of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition, which faced space constraints and required substantial modification to accommodate large defence assets and vehicles.\n\nRegarding the potential name change of the exhibition, Nordin indicated that the decision has yet to be made, adding that the current focus is on assessing the feasibility of relocating the event.",
  "summary": "The defence minister says Malaysia must always make improvements, including in terms of venue size and exhibition facilities.",
  "key_points": [
    "Defence Minister Khaled Nordin proposes exploring alternative venues for LIMA.",
    "Regional competition from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand intensifies.",
    "Langkawi site may be too small; government investment needed for Melaka option."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Exploring alternative venues for LIMA reflects a strategic shift to counter regional competition and prevent decline in participation by upgrading facilities and exhibition standards.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : LIMA: Alternative Venues Being Explored Amid Rising Regional Competition - Mohamed Khaled",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/general-lima-alternative-venues-being-explored-amid-rising-regional",
        "published": "2026-09-05T04:07:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Alternative sites for LIMA proposed amid regional competition, says Khaled",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/alternative-sites-for-lima-proposed-amid-regional-competition-says-5719201",
        "published": "2026-09-05T05:06:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Lima: Alternative venues being explored amid rising regional competition — Khaled",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/lima-alternative-venues-being-explored-amid-rising-regional",
        "published": "2026-09-05T06:31:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}