PRESS DIGEST - Malaysia - Feb 21

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)

- With the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) scheduled to announce its list of candidates today (Thursday), speculation is rife that MCA deputy president Chan Kong Choy is still unsure whether he will contest in the general election.

- Alam Maritim Resources Bhd (ALMT.KL) is bidding for an underwater and maintenance contract worth 600 million ringgit to 800 million ringgit from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd. It is also looking for potential Middle Eastern investors, Managing Director Azmi Ahmad said.

BUSINESS TIMES (www.btimes.com.my)

- Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) (MBBM.KL), Malaysia's top lender, is in serious talks to buy a commercial bank in the Asean region, Executive Vice-President Lim Hong Tat said.

- Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the operator of Westports in Port Klang, will appoint OSK Holdings Bhd (OSKH.KL) to arrange, structure and lead-manage its 800 million ringgit sukuk issue in a ceremony today (Thursday).

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

- Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) (MBBM.KL) announced on Wednesday a 7.7 percent fall in net profit to 730.95 million ringgit for the second quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007 from 792.27 million ringgit a year earlier after its financial performance was affected by the worsening U.S. subprime crisis.

- Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (TLMM.KL) share price fell the most in a month on Wednesday after its Indonesia mobile subsidiary, Excelcomindo Pratama (EXCL.JK), reported a heavy fall in fourth-quarter net profit.

THE MALAYSIAN RESERVE

- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TENA.KL) has awarded a 1 billion ringgit engineering procurement and construction contract for the Lahad Datu Power Plant in Silam, Sabah to China National Electric Equipment Corporation.

THE SUN (www.sun2surf.com)

- The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) on Wednesday made sweeping changes to its list of candidates for state assembly seats, replacing 13 of the 19 incumbents.

($1=3.282 Malaysian Ringgit)

** 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).