Lima to be held in March

Getting ready: Zahid looking at an Audi Q5 SUV, which will be used during LIMA 2013, in Kuala Lumpur. Looking on are Deputy Minister of Defence Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad (third from right), Armed Forces Commander Tan Sri Jen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin (third from left) and Managing Director of HW Lima Ahmad Dzuhri Abdul Wahab (right). — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) will take place in March even if it coincides with the general election.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi said the exhibition would be held from March 26 to March 30 during the school holidays. “The date will not be changed as it involves international exhibitors. Lima is the fourth largest exhibition in the world.

“Exciting things are in store for this year's Lima. There will also be tourism carnivals every night and air shows involving 70 aircraft from various countries. “Also, 48 ships are participating in the maritime exhibition,” he said after announcing plans and meeting sponsors for Lima yesterday.

Forums, conferences, maritime demonstrations and career day programmes would also be held during the exhibition as well as award presentations including the Asean Commercial Aviation Awards.

The exhibition, which is expected to attract 36 countries, is open to the public from March 29 and March 30. Over 160,000 delegates and members of the public are expected.

On the decision by the Royal Malaysian Navy to help its 102 personnel settle loans from loan sharks worth some RM139,000, Zahid said the money came from a charity fund initiated by the Navy chief and not from the Defence Ministry or the Navy itself. “There are many factors as to why they borrow from loan sharks. “Our studies have shown that most of them have poor financial management.

“The officers have been counselled and we have conducted financial management courses for them,” he said. On another matter, Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said he would be heading to Afghanistan in the first week of February to study the situation there to determine if their medical team would remain or move out.

-thestar online.