PETRONAS FOREIGN-CURRENCY ISSUANCES ATTRACT SIGNIFICANT INTEREST

KUALA LUMPUR, August 10 (Bernama) -- Petronas's landmark issue of an Emas (gold)
dollar bond and Emas dollar sukuk has attracted significant interest from a wide
investor base.

Malaysia's Central Bank Governor, Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, said the Petronas
issuances, which comprised of a US$3 billion bond and US$1.5 billion sukuk, were
highly successful amidst the challenging global financial markets.

The Petronas dollar and bond issues, Zeti said, is the largest US dollar
issuance by an Asian entity outside Japan this year.

"The issuance showcases Malaysia's credentials as a centre of origination
not only for Ringgit bonds and sukuk, but also for issuance of foreign currency
denominated bonds and sukuk," Zeti said during a press conference inconjunction
with the inaugural issuance of the Emas US dollar sukuk and Emas US dollar bond
by Petronas, Malaysia's national petroleum company.

The "Emas" designation of the bond and sukuk, she said, would be given to
foreign-currency denominated issuances.

In Malaysia, Zeti said, the sukuk component has grown to be larger than its
conventional counterpart.

"Malaysia, is currently the global leader in sukuk issuance, accounting for
62 per cent of total global sukuk outstanding," she said.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Petronas, Hassan Merican, said
the proceeds from the issuances would be used for capital expenditure.

Hassan said Petronas has embarked on a six-day road show covering 10 cities
in Asia, Middle East, Europe and the United States beginning in Kuala Lumpur on
July 29.
-- BERNAMA