THREE MORE NEW MSC CYBERCENTRES EXPECTED BY YEAR END

PETALING JAYA, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Multimedia Development Corporation
(MDeC) expects three more new MSC Malaysia Cybercentres to be set up before the
end of this year and another three next year.

MDeC's chief executive officer, Badlisham Ghazali said the need for more
cybercentres was in tandem with the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia
Status companies' forecast growth of 12 per cent this year.

The decision on the establishment of the new cybercentres are expected
to be made during the Information Council Meeting (ICM) chaired by Prime
Minister Najib Razak next week.

Among other items, the ICM meeting next week will discuss on the opening up
of new cybercentres, he told reporters after the launching of the new Tenaga
Nasional Bhd (TNB)-MSC Malaysia Performance Guarantees Guide Book, here
Thursday.

The book is a set of minimum standards that TNB, Malaysia's major energy
provider, is offering to deliver premium service quality on electricity to
designated MSC Malaysia Cybercentres and Cybercities.

To date, there are 16 MSC Malaysia Cybercentres nationwide.

Among the popular urban spots awarded the MSC Malaysia Cybercentre status
include Bandar Utama, KL Sentral, Melaka International Trade Centre, Menara MSC
Cyberport and Mid Valley City.

The opening up of the three new cybercentres this year will come from the
private sector initiative, Badlisham said.

"They are the one who approached us and offered the locations under
the development of cybercentre status," he said.

The cybercentres are expected to be located in the Klang Valley.

Cybercentres play an important role in the MSC Malaysia agenda as it serves
as the location where MSC Malaysia Status companies can grow and receive the
full benefits of the 10-points stated in the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantee.

TNB's president and chief executive officer, Che Khalib said the
collaboration between the company and MDeC on the performance guarantees
standard would help to ensure selected MSC Cybercentres are delivered with high
quality and reliable electricity supply from TNB.

"The book will be very useful for investors and existing customers applying
for MSC Malaysia Status. It serves as a general reference to applicants for the
MSC Performance Guarantees requirements on electricity supply," he added.
-- BERNAMA