PRESS DIGEST - Malaysia - June 25

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

ALL NEWSPAPERS

- Ruling coalition Barisan Nasional will issue a show-cause letter asking the two members of parliament of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) to explain the decision to support a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

- Some 100 journalists staged a boycott of new events at parliament after they were denied access by authorities in a bid to beef up security.

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

- Food production, public transport and poverty eradication programmes are expected to receive an additional 30 billion ringgit under the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the country's development plan, due to be announced on Thursday.

BUSINESS TIMES (www.btimes.com.my)

- AmanahRaya Investment Bank and Asian Finance Bank have launched 1 billion ringgit fund, the first syariah-compliant shipping fund in Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region.

- The construction industry may experience a slowdown for the rest of the year given the recent increases in fuel and building material prices, Construction Industry Development Board Chairman Jamilus Hussein said.

THE STAR (www.thestar.com.my)

- Petrol stations in Malaysia will not close in protest despite the higher credit card charges resulting from the increase in petrol pump prices that have eaten into profit margins, said the Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia.

THE EDGE FINANCIAL DAILY (www.theedgedaily.com.my)

- Sime Darby (SIME.KL), the largest listed planter in the world, appointed Abd Wahab Maskan as group chief operating officer and Tong Poh Keow as group chief financial officer with immediate effect.

THE MALAYSIAN RESERVE (news@themalaysianreserves.com)

- Oil and gas services firm Wah Seong Corp (WAHE.KL) is investing 375 million ringgit as part of its move to expand its facilities regionally to meet demand for deepwater pipe coating products, gas compressors and process equipment.

- Malaysian builder SP Setia posted a 9 percent decline in first half ended April 30 on rising prices of construction materials,