Kuala Lumpur. 28 March 2022. One of the world’s biggest security and defence exhibitions was officially launched yesterday in a kaleidoscope of lights, sights, and sounds.
The Defence Services Asia and NATSEC Asia 2022 was officially launched last night by the Senior Minister of Defence, YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein, and the Minister of Home Affairs, YB Dato’ Seri Hamzah Bin Zainudin.
The launching ceremony for this edition, themed ‘Advancing into a New Era of Defence and Security’, was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. It was followed immediately by the Official Reception for invited guests and dignitaries.
By far the largest exhibition of its kind in the series’ 34-year history, the 17th edition of DSA and the 2nd edition of NATSEC Asia has attracted the participation of 4,800 international visitors, comprising industry experts, thought leaders, delegates, government officials, captains of industry and foreign journalists. Another 25,000 visitors from more than 50 countries will also attend.
Also visiting are 350 VIP delegations – including heads of state, ministers, VVIPs, dignitaries and officials – from 44 countries.
A total of 1,170 companies from 54 countries have snapped up booths, stands and hospitality suites in the sprawling 38,000sq m exhibition space at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, to showcase the latest in weapons, sensors and systems in the land, sea, and air domains, as well as in cyberspace.
Today, the first day of the show proper kicked off with the Official Gracing Ceremony at 10 am at MITEC.
Guests of Honour were Senior Minister of Defence, YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein, and Minister of Home Affairs, YB Dato’ Seri Hamzah Bin Zainudin. This was immediately followed by the Official Tour of the exhibition, where both ministers, dignitaries, VVIPs and top brass were taken around the halls to view the exhibits on display.
At 2pm today, His Majesty the King of Malaysia, the Yang Di-pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah graced the exhibition with his presence. The Agong was given an overview of the show and then taken on a guided tour of the exhibition.
Throughout the day, a slew of high-powered delegations made numerous courtesy calls to Malaysian VVIPs to discuss a broad range of issues, ranging from topics of mutual interest to possible areas of collaboration. This demonstrates the value of DSA and NATSEC Asia, not just as a marketplace for defence and military hardware and solutions, but as a platform to promote greater understanding, cooperation, and collaboration in the pursuit of common goals.
Later in the evening, dignitaries and VVIPs were feted at two Official Dinner functions. The first was hosted jointly by the Senior Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister, and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence and was held at the Shangri-La Hotel, in Kuala Lumpur.
The second event was hosted jointly by the Minister of Home Affairs, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Director-General of MOHA’s agencies was held at the Hilton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
DSA and NATSEC Asia 2022 is jointly hosted, supported, and co-organised by the Defence Ministry, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Malaysian Armed Forces.
