On November 25, 2016, 3,500 security industry players in Malaysia converged for a gala dinner, which was organised for the first time ever by Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) in collaboration with Security Service Association of Malaysia (PPKKM) and sponsored by UBM Malaysia. Almost 800 security companies attended the memorable event, making it the largest dinner in the security industry that ever took place in Malaysia.

The gala dinner was graced by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister of Home Affairs, Y.A.B Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, along with Y.B Masir Kujat, MOHA Deputy Minister; Datuk Seri Mustafa Ibrahim, MOHA Deputy Secretary; General Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Zulkiefli Bin Mohd Zin, Chief of Malaysian Armed Forces; Dato' Sri Haji Mustapa Bin Haji Ali, PPKKM President; Tan Sri Dato' Dr Mustaffa Babjee, Chairman, UBM Malaysia, and Mr M. Gandhi, Managing Director of ASEAN Business, UBM Asia.

In his opening speech, Y.A.B Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed the importance of having 24-hour guards on duty in all banks, due to increased cases in the premises and advised the banks to invest more in security parameters, to help protect not only their property, but also the people around them. The Ministry of Home Affairs will announce about the mandatory training, monitored by Royal Malaysia Police for all security personnel and bodyguards. This step has to be taken in order to improve the quality of their services.

With the dinner serving as the last big gathering for security companies in 2016, the next gathering will be at IFSEC Southeast Asia 2017 on 6-8 September 2017 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Being the largest security, fire and safety event in Southeast Asia, IFSEC SEA is the best platform for the industry players to converge and build international network, whilst obtaining the latest technology available in the market.

Organised by UBM Malaysia, IFSEC SEA had attracted more than 7,000 security professionals from 51 countries in 2016. It is supported by Malaysia Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, Royal Malaysia Police, CyberSecurity Malaysia, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia, Asian Professional Security Association (APSA) Malaysia Chapter, International Workplace, National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), British Security Industry Association (BSIA), ASIS Malaysia Chapter and International Security Industry Organisation (ISIO).

"This event is part of our global IFSEC series of exhibitions that aims to promote security for commercial, government and private sectors. It is crucial for everyone to understand the security technology that helps protect offices, infrastructures and homes. One of the crucial elements in IFSEC SEA is cybersecurity, since globally, cybersecurity threats have cost billions of dollars in losses. So, we bring together leading global experts to IFSEC SEA and hope the industry players will take advantage by building business network and witnessing the latest technology and solutions available," said Mr M Gandhi. IFSEC Southeast Asia will take place at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on September 6 - 8 2017, and it's open to trade visitors only. Entrance is free of charge.

Source: UBM Asia (Malaysia)