The talks by politician on the topic of building Malaysian Aerospace centre with acceptable level of credibility has been going on for more than 20 years.
In 1993, the PM then, made an ambitious plan to put Malaysia into Aerospace Manufacturing map, and three projects were launched..
- The Eagle Aircraft Project by Eagle Aircraft (Malaysia) Sdn Berhad. Many are wondering what happen this project. I know a few Eagles were on sale for RM50,000 to training organisations.
- The second project was the German-designed Dornier Seastar CD2, a twin engine forteen seater amphibious aircraft scheduled to be manufactured in 1993.
- The third is the Swiss-designed Datwyler MD3-160. The two-seater aerobatic trainer aircraft by SME Aerospace.
Looking to the south, the neighboring Singapore had made a giant lap, It may be a good idea for the the Minister Mukhriz to
The extract of the speech is given below...
Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : LANGKAWI, KEDAH
Tarikh/Date : 07/12/93
Tajuk/Title : THE OPENING OF THE LANGKAWI
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME AND
AEROSPACE EXHIBITION 1993
On behalf of all Malaysians, I wish everyone a warm
'Selamat Datang' to the Islands of Langkawi, the isles of
many legends, and, in particular, to the Langkawi
International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA),
1993. I hope you managed to get a glimpse of our rich
cultural heritage in the welcoming ceremony you just
witnessed. For those who were here for the inaugural
exhibition of LIMA '91, I am sure you will have noticed the
many infrastructural changes which have been made. This is
to ensure that your stay here will be more comfortable.
2. Langkawi is centrally located within the growth
triangle recently formed by the northern states and
provinces of Malaysia and Indonesia, with the southern
provinces of Thailand. With this growth triangle concept,
it is anticipated that the region will gain importance, not
only as an attractive tourist destination, but also as a
vital investment location. An international level
exhibition such as LIMA is both apt and timely. The
Government hopes that more international events will be
staged here in Langkawi, especially at this new
International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
3. Although most of the world saw recessionary trends in
the last few years, the economies of East Asian
nations -- particularly those in Southeast Asia -- continue
to show dynamic growth. Malaysia is at the heart of this
growing region and has developed a strong manufacturing base
during the last five years. The Malaysian economy has moved
away from its traditional reliance on the export of raw
materials to the export of manufactured goods. Malaysia
is also moving away from labour - intensive to capital and
technology-intensive industries.
4. With this solid 'hi-tech' and engineering background,
Malaysia is proud to step into the aerospace industry. When
LIMA '91 was held it stimulated a lot of interest and
awareness among Malaysians and foreign industrialists of the
potential that exists in the aerospace industry, especially
in the Asia Pacific region. This industry is associated
with high technology which we are anxious to acquire in
order to bring the nation to a higher level of technological
advancement and international competitiveness.
5. This time, two years after LIMA '91, a Malaysian
company, Composite Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM),
announced its participation in the production of the Eagle
X-TS, a light all- composite aircraft, in partnership with
an Australian company. As of May 28 this year, Malaysia
took over the whole company. The first production model of
the Eagle rolled out of the Australian facility in Perth
last October. Today, it is being displayed for the first
time in Malaysia. Plans are now in hand to manufacture the
aircraft entirely in Malaysia. The Eagle project is one of
the bold steps that we are taking into the world of
composite technology. Eagle Aircraft (Malaysia) Sdn Berhad
has also secured firm orders for six aircraft from its first
customer, the Conservation and Land Management Authority of
Western Australia. The Eagle is suited for leisure flying
and for surveillance work.
6. This year, Malaysia became involved in two other
aircraft manufacturing projects. I am pleased to announce
that the German-designed Dornier Seastar CD2, a
twin-engined fourteen-seater, amphibious aircraft is
scheduled for manufacture in Penang next year. Aerospace
Industries Malaysia (AIM) is leading a consortium of
companies to produce the Seastar entirely in Malaysia. This
aircraft has enormous scope for sales in the Asia-Pacific
region, being useful both for maritime patrols, search and
rescue missions, as well as for lake and island resorts.
7. A third project is the production of the Swiss-designed
Datwyler MD3-160 two-seater aerobatic trainer aircraft. SME
Aerospace will be producing these low-cost trainers, and we
expect to see the first Malaysian-produced MD3s flying
before the end of next year. There is a demand for this
category of aircraft world-wide and SME Aerospace hopes to
secure a market niche.
8. In manufacturing these three aircraft, we have embarked
on new areas of technology with very stringent quality
requirements. The demands of the aerospace industry also
require that the Malaysian workforce be extremely conscious
of quality in the whole production process. We believe we
have the necessary work ethics and skills for this kind of
industry.
9. These are undoubtedly small beginnings. But then the
U.S. entered the aerospace industry with the Kitty Hawk, an
aircraft that is even more primitive than the three aircraft
I have mentioned. In a century's time we may have our
Boeing and McDonnell Douglas counterpart, God willing. But
a beginning has to be made. And three small aircraft make a
good beginning, modest though they may be.
10. In conjunction with its efforts to promote composite
product manufacturing in Malaysia, the Government has
approved a Composite Manufacturing Zone (CMZ) in Malacca.
The CMZ, among other things, will house:
- an aerospace industries centre, with Eagle Aircraft
Malaysia taking the lead;
- a non-aerospace products manufacturing centre, with
Talon Malaysia as a key tenant manufacturing
hockey sticks from composite materials; and
- an advanced composites laboratory to provide
research backup for companies located in the CMZ.
11. We look forward to having more companies, both local
and foreign, joining us at the CMZ. Composites, as you are
well aware, could be used in the manufacture of many
sporting items, marine vessels, fittings for trains and
vehicles and all containers where payload and strength are
major considerations. Of course more and more composite
materials are being used in both commercial and military
aircraft. Up till now a great deal of manual work is
required. And Malaysia's low-cost highly- skilled workers
are a great asset in manufacturing with composites.
12. Malaysia is also developing its own maritime
industries. We have already built freighters and ferry
boats. The naval dockyard at Lumut, which was corporatised
two years ago, will be a new entrant into the shipbuilding
industry. It will be involved in the construction of patrol
vessels for the Royal Malaysian Navy in collaboration with
foreign shipbuilding companies. Local industries involved
in the manufacture and supply of shipboard equipment and
systems will be able to participate and benefit from the
transfer of its technology. The Ministry of International
Trade and Industry will spearhead a vendor development
programme for small and medium scale industries to support
the patrol vessel project, just as it did for the national
car project.
13. There is also a great deal of potential in the
construction of pleasure craft. During LIMA '91, almost all
the pleasure boats exhibited were sold by the end of the
exhibition. The growing affluence of Malaysia and its
neighbours will undoubtedly create a demand for such craft.
I would like to urge local and foreign entrepreneurs to look
into the possibility of developing Malaysia as the regional
centre for the production of such craft. With more such
craft in local waters there will be increasing needs for
marinas and boat maintenance facilities. Quite a number are
being built now, but I believe more will be needed soon.
14. In order to meet the demands of industrialisation and
new technologies, changes will be made to the education
policy and new courses will be offered by the institutions
of higher learning, government and private sectors.
15. The government spares no effort to provide all the
necessary support facilities to the private sector keen to
invest in high technology ventures. The hi-tech park being
developed in Kulim, Kedah and the CMZ in Malacca are just
two examples of this effort. The Malaysian Government as
you can see responds quickly to the needs of investors.
16. I would like to point out once again that the Langkawi
International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition is not just
another aerospace or maritime show. It is true that almost
every country in Asia now holds such exhibitions. But LIMA
is still relevant and special because it is held in a region
with the fastest growing economy. People in this region are
now more affluent and are not only travelling more but
are actually beginning to regard ownership of private jets
and luxury boats as essential for business and for pleasure.
17. At LIMA, exhibitors will have the maximum time to
display and demonstrate the capabilities of their products
to the people who matter. The site of this exhibition
permits full aerobatics as we are not hampered by the
operational needs of a busy commercial airport, by
densely-populated population centres or by crowded harbours.
18. LIMA '93 is more than twice as big as LIMA '91, the
first aerospace and maritime exhibition in Langkawi. This
in itself is evidence of its recognition and relevance. But
in addition, the seminars on aviation held in conjunction,
is topical and relevant to the expanding air travel industry
in the region and the world.
19. Besides, Langkawi is a wonderful place for both work
and play. Less than 10 years ago there were only about
30,000 visitors to these islands. Last year more than a
million visitors came, some 30 percent of whom were from
outside Malaysia. So your business visit in 1993 should be
followed by vacations on these islands in the future. You
will find that LIMA has introduced you to more than just an
aerospace or maritime show.
20. The series of LIMA exhibitions that we plan to stage is
also aimed at challenging Malaysians to respond and be
pro-active to the demands of a technology-driven world.
Malaysia cannot afford to be left behind. In a competitive
world there can be no complacency. Alertness and a
willingness to venture into new fields are the prerequisites
of merely staying abreast.
21. I would like to thank all exhibitors and guests who
have come from far and near to support LIMA '93. I am
confident that the business contacts they will make in the
course of their participation in LIMA '93 will be most
worthwhile.
22. It now gives me great pleasure to declare LIMA '93
open.
