PRESS DIGEST - Malaysia - April 17

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)

- Refunds by the Inland Revenue Board will automatically be banked into taxpayers' bank accounts under e-Refund, its Chief Executive Officer Hasmah Abdullah said.

- A 250 million ringgit hotel project by Ivory Properties Group has attracted the attention of overseas investors who are keen to acquire the property, General Manager Chok Keng Vui said.

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

- The National Front coalition must do more to attract the support of non-Malays, UMNO Deputy President Najib Razak said.

BUSINESS TIMES (www.btimes.com.my)

- Malaysia's smallest hypermarket in terms of outlets, Carrefour, appears to have skirted rules by moving into the convenience store business, sources said.

- Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui said the government may scrap the cess it imposed on palm oil planters to help stabilise cooking oil sold to consumers.