PRESS DIGEST - Malaysia - April 30

Following are the main stories in Malaysian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

THE STAR (www.thestar.com.my)

-- The audit report on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) is ready and the Port Klang Authority has been given one week to make it public, Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat said.

-- While travel and leisure-related stocks have been punished by investors on concerns over the impact of the current global alert on swine flu, businesses in these areas have yet to see slowing demand.

BUSINESS TIMES (www.btimes.com.my)

-- I'DA World Group Sdn Bhd, controlled by Kedah-born businessman Abdul Rahim Abdul Wahab, has proposed three mega projects in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia, which it hopes to undertake as a private finance initiative.

-- Bank Negara Malaysia left borrowing costs unchanged at two percent on Wednesday, but cautioned that the Malaysian economy was likely to record a marked contraction in the first quarter.

NEW STRAITS TIMES (www.nst.com.my)

-- Prime Minister Najib Razak said Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was satisfied with the ongoing discussions to iron out issues pertaining to the re-demarcation of land and maritime boundaries.

-- Plans are afoot to carry out a 60 million ringgit flood mitigation and drainage project for Semariang, Petrajaya, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.

THE EDGE FINANCIAL DAILY (www.theedgemalaysia.com)

-- Private equity firm Primus Pacific Partners LLP (PPP), which owns a 20.2 percent stake in EON Capital Bhd EONP.KL, is keen to expand its presence in Malaysia and could do so through the newly established Hong Kong-based financial services firm, Primus Financial Holdings Ltd (PFH), PFH co-chief executive Ng Wing Fai said.

THE SUN (www.sun2surf.com)

-- Don't panic over the swine flu outbreak, which has affected several countries, but stay on high alert for symptoms of the illness, said Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai.

-- Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSS.KL) targets to grow its 7.3 billion ringgit asset by 15 percent this financial year, its chief executive officer Ahmad Zaini Othman said.

** Looking for more information from local sources? Reuters Business Briefing has 13 Malaysian sources including Business Times Malaysia. For details of the product please call your local help desk (PHONE/HELP). ((Kuala Lumpur Newsroom; Tel: +603-2333 8046; Fax: +603-2072 6752; Bureau Email: areuters@gmail.com))