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“Langkawi offers a safe and enjoyable location for those keen to take part in boating – be it professional racing or leisure cruising. The island is already a favourite stopover for a steady flow of marine visitors who cruise the waters between Singapore, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Thailand and beyond. In some cases, people arrive and end up staying in the area for weeks, months or even years with some being attracted to take a more permanent footing by signing up for the Malaysia My Second Home Programme,” he said. The Mediterranean-style Telaga Harbour at Pantai Kok, where LIBEX will take centre-stage, is the newest of Langkawi’s marinas and is becoming a community in its own right with a sheltered marina offering wet berths, a marina office as well as immigration and customs facilities on site. The quayside boardwalk offers a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment spots. According to LIBEX organizers SailAsia Sdn Bhd, the dates for the LIBEX event - 24th-27th November - were specifically selected to coincide with the Grand Finale of the Darwin-Bali-Langkawi Yacht Rally and the conclusion of this year’s Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta, organized by Royal Selangor Yacht Club of Port Klang, Malaysia. SailAsia Executive Chairman Dato’ Syed Mustaffa Shahabudin said, “The Yacht Rally and the Regatta alone will see some 150 boats, complete with cruising and racing crews, in and around Langkawi waters come November. A week-long programme of festivities at Telaga Harbour and elsewhere on the island is also being planned to mark the Finale of the Rally.”
This year, with the higher numbers in the Rally combined with LIBEX, some RM20 million (US$5.48 million) is expected to be channeled directly into the Malaysian economy. This excludes the multiplier effect of onward travel, accommodation, boat maintenance and refurbishment costs and potential property sales in conjunction with the Malaysia My Second Home Programme.” Exhibitors at this inaugural LIBEX include well-known organisations like regional boat brokers Simpson Marine and the Malaysian-based Pen-Marine. In addition to landed displays, both companies are likely to feature a variety of different boats as part of their on-water displays. Donald Laird of Simpson Marine in Langkawi, said, “At each of our nine offices throughout Asia and in Monaco, Simpson Marine’s goal is to bring owners the maximum pleasure and value from owning a yacht. And we are dedicated to helping prospective buyers finding the right boat to buy or build to suit their particular requirements. LIBEX will give enthusiasts the opportunity to not only view some of the boats on display up close, but also speak to a team well-versed on the technical and legal aspects of ownership.” Silolona, the magnificent 50-metre luxury wooden sailboat, is also expected to grace the event. Built in the traditional phinisi style, Silolona offers that extra dimension in private yacht charter, with exclusive cruises in the islands of East Indonesia, to visit the Komodo Dragons or the Papua Tribes, as well as unique itineraries in the waters off Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and the Andaman Sea. Marinas represented at LIBEX include the recently opened Tanjong City Marina in Penang and the new Sebana Cove mixed development in Johor. Service and supply companies include the Langkawi-based Peninsular Yachts chandlery plus Ropeworks of Singapore and Engineered Water Systems of Australia. All the usual activities related to boating, including marine equipment and accessories, as well as water-sports, fishing, and diving, will be on show and visitors can look forward to participating in the various boating workshops, try-out sessions and other activities being planned. |
