Langkawi’s hidden world of birds


LANGKAWI: A total of 10,000 ferry tickets to Langkawi for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA '25) have been sold over the past four days.
LIMA '25 is set to take place from May 20 to 24 in Langkawi, Malaysia. This prominent biennial airshow and maritime exhibition showcases the latest in aerospace and maritime technology. Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd (Ferry Line) operations manager Norhafiz Abdul Wahid said the tickets sold cover return trips on the Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah routes to Langkawi.
"Ferry Line opened ticket sales for the public to attend Lima '25 through the website www.cuticutilangkawi.com four days ago, Berita Harian reported.
"As of today, 10,000 tickets have been sold for the Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah routes to Langkawi and back," he said when contacted today. Norhafiz said the Malaysian Marine Department (JLM) has granted the company permission to operate from 7am to 10pm throughout the biennial exhibition.
"A total of 184 ferry trips for Lima '25 have been approved by JLM, with an estimated 100,000 visitors expected to travel in and out of Langkawi during the five-day exhibition.
"If there is an unexpected surge in demand, the Ferry Line will request to extend ferry operations until midnight. However, this will depend on the completion of dredging works along the navigation channel. "This plan can be realised if the dredging works at Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah, currently in progress, are completed a week before Lima '25," he added.
He also expressed concern about the capacity of the Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah passenger terminals, which can only accommodate two ferries at a time. "This situation is worsened by the limited waiting area at both terminals, which cannot accommodate more than 800 passengers at any given time.
"In reality, we are prepared to handle the increase in tourist numbers, as most of our ferries have large capacities and can carry up to 650 passengers per trip," he said.
Ferry Line was established in 2005 through the merger of seven ferry companies, making it the largest passenger ferry operator in Langkawi and Malaysia.
EDOTCO Malaysia and Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) are advancing their partnership to transform Langkawi into Malaysia’s first 5G-powered digital tourism hub, following their announcement at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona.
Working alongside the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), the initiative will bring high-speed 5G connectivity to key tourist hotspots such as Langkawi Sky Bridge, Geosites, Pantai Cenang, and major hotels. This will enable real-time HD streaming, AI-powered concierge services, and AR tourism guides.
A workshop for tourism industry players will be held in Langkawi next month to explore 5G-powered innovations such as smart hotel management, AI-driven customer engagement, and digital transactions.
“Digital infrastructure is only one aspect of a successful transformation. EDOTCO and DNB will focus on fostering innovation and industry engagement,” said Gayan Koralage, EDOTCO’s Director of Malaysia Business.
Beyond tourism, 5G will also enhance Langkawi’s global sporting reputation for events like the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), Tour de Langkawi, and IRONMAN Malaysia.
“Langkawi is not only a globally renowned tourism hub but also a destination for prestigious international sporting events. The integration of 5G will elevate both participant and spectator experience,” said Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid, CEO of LADA.
The partnership spans two years, with the first six months focused on a Proof of Concept (POC) to test key 5G applications. The remaining 18 months will expand the initiative to include AI-driven smart hospitality solutions and autonomous shuttle services.
“5G is more than just faster connectivity – it is a catalyst for transformation,” said Datuk Azman Ismail, CEO of DNB. “Langkawi presents the ideal setting to showcase how 5G can power a future-ready tourism model and support Malaysia’s broader digital aspirations.”
This initiative will position Langkawi as a model for smart, sustainable tourism, integrating cutting-edge 5G technology to enhance visitor experiences and economic growth.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia akan menonjolkan keunikan tersendiri sepanjang Kepengerusian ASEAN 2025 menerusi kepelbagaian makanan tempatan yang bakal disajikan kepada ribuan tetamu luar negara.
Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Luar, Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin berkata pada Permukiman Menteri-Menteri Luar ASEAN (AMM) di Langkawi Sabtu ini misalnya, kerabu bronok dan latok menjadi antara hidangan yang disediakan untuk lebih 200 delegasi asing yang terbabit.
"Di Laos tahun lalu, setiap kali ada mesyuarat atau majlis makan malam, akan ada rumpai sungai (riverweed) dari Sungai Mekong.
"Jadi, saya harap produk tempatan di Langkawi dapat menarik minat pelawat dan tetamu kita," katanya pada sidang media berhubung Kepengerusian ASEAN 2025 di sini hari ini.
Kerabu bronok adalah makanan eksotik di Langkawi yang menggunakan spesies timun laut Acaudina molpadioides manakala latok atau Caulerpa lentillifera ialah sejenis rumpai laut yang lazimnya dimakan sebagai salad atau ulam.
Selain itu, Amran berkata, produk tempatan akan turut dipromosikan sepanjang Kepengerusian ASEAN 2025 bagi memberi peluang perniagaan kepada usahawan mikro, kecil dan sederhana.
"Sebilangan besar daripada produk berkenaan sudah dibeli sebagai sebahagian daripada hospitaliti Malaysia untuk tetamu yang datang melawat," katanya.
Bagi memastikan aspek kebersihan di lokaliti yang terbabit dalam penganjuran mesyuarat dan program berkaitan ASEAN, beliau berkata Wisma Putra akan mendapatkan kerjasama Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan (KPKT) dan pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT).
Permukiman Menteri Luar ASEAN yang bermula Sabtu ini di pulau peranginan Langkawi, secara rasmi menandakan permulaan siri mesyuarat ASEAN di bawah pengerusi Malaysia.
Malaysia akan menganjurkan lebih 350 mesyuarat dan program utama di seluruh negara sepanjang tahun ini di bawah tema "Keterangkuman dan Kemampanan". – BERNAMA
LANGKAWI, 7 January 2025: Malaysia’s popular holiday island Langkawi will host the ASEAN Summit 2025 this month, attracting 1,000 delegates to three conferences for leaders of the ASEAN 10-nation bloc.
The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) Board of Directors co-chairman, Datuk Zamzuri Abdul Aziz, presented details of the three ASEAN events that will convene at the island’s international convention centre, reported by the New Strait Times.
The ASEAN Sumit agenda starts with the ASEAN+3 Meeting (Financial Track) scheduled from 14 to 15 January on Langkawi Island. Representatives from three East Asian countries, China, South Korea and Japan, will join delegations from the 10-member countries of ASEAN.
Two other meetings — the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat from 18 to 19 January and the Special Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Energy from 21 to 23 January — will conclude the summit agenda.
Meanwhile, LADA Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Haslina Binti Abdul Hamid launched the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign last week, spotlighting 132 calendar events in the year, including the 21st Langkawi International Regatta scheduled from 13 to 16 February at the island’s Royal Langkawi Yacht Club and the 17th Lima (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition) from 20 to 24 May 2025
Visit Kedah Year 2025 will headline arts, culture, sports, promotions, community, and geoparks, key elements of Langkawi’s identity.
New Straits Times quoted Dato’ Haslina saying that of the 132 planned events, 36 are dedicated to sports and culture, 17 to international promotions, 10 to domestic promotions, and 26 to community programmes.
“In addition, there are 24 investment mission programmes and 19 geopark events, all aimed at achieving the target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals by year-end,” she told NST.
Langkawi played a key role in the Visit Kedah Year 2025 initiative, hosting a welcome reception for the travellers arriving at the island’s airport and ferry cruise ship terminal. LADA was joined in the celebratory welcome by Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airports, Malaysia Marine Department and Langkawi Port officials.
LADA said it was committed to making Langkawi the destination of choice throughout the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign as a forerunner to the nationwide Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign launch.