Govt plans to build international-level conference centre in Bandar Malaysia

New Straits Times

07-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is reviewing a proposal to build a new international-standard convention centre in Bandar Malaysia here to support the country's expanding role as host of major global summits.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the proposal was presented at a cabinet meeting today, which viewed it positively and received support from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other ministers.
"This current venue (the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre) is no longer suitable for large-scale events like the Asean Summit," he said during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship Security Exercise today.
Mohamad added that Malaysia was also bidding to host several international conferences over the next five years, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The proposed centre, Mohamad said, would be built to meet modern standards of security, accessibility and international expectations.
"The prime minister wants it to be studied, particularly with input from all ministries and related agencies.
"Ultimately, we will also seek input from the security agencies so they can provide their perspective, to ensure the new facility meets comprehensive safety and logistical requirements.
"This is still at a very early stage, just the initial phase of the proposal."
Meanwhile, on the security exercise, Mohamad said it was held to ensure the highest level of preparedness of the country's security agencies for facing any possible security crisis, especially during the 46th Asean Summit, which will be held from May 26 to 27 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The exercise was organised by the National Security Council, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, the Health Ministry, the police, the armed forces, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Malaysian Civil Defence Department, among others.
In total, there were 26 government entities comprising ministries, departments and agencies, including strategic partners like Petronas, TNB, TM and Sapura Research Sdn Bhd, directly involved in the exercise.
The event tested the emergency response plan's communication effectiveness, coordination and inter-agency response coherence.
The training scenarios focused on countering security threats such as terrorism, sabotage, cyberattacks, utility supply disruption, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats.