PRESS DIGEST - Malaysia - April 15

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)

- Talks on the transition of power from United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) President Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to his deputy Najib Razak will start after the party's annual assembly in December.

- Public Bank Bhd (PUBM.KL: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) posted net profit of 717.39 million ringgit for the first quarter ended March 31, up 50.6 percent from 476.22 million ringgit a year earlier, on strong growth in its operating profit, Chairman Teh Hong Piow said.

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

- Additional allocations requested by ministries, departments or agencies for projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan must be approved without any delay, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

BUSINESS TIMES (www.btimes.com.my)

- Power utility Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TENA.KL: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said its second quarter profit fell by a third due to higher costs and warned that future profits would be crimped by rising fuel charges, Chief Executive Officer Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said.

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