KASPERSKY KEEN TO MAKE M'SIA SOUTH EAST ASIA BASE

PREM KUMAR PANJAMORTHY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Kaspersky Lab, known for protection of IT
security threats, is keen to make Malaysia its base for South East Asia by
establishing a virus analysis centre, research and development centre or a call
support centre.

Currently, the Russia-based company is only distributing its products in
Malaysia.

" We are currently busy as this is the last quarter of our financial year,
but we are sure the plan will be executed by end of next year," said Harry
Cheung, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab Asia-Pacific.

The founder of Kaspersky Lab, Eugene Kaspersky, had opined to open a
research and development centre here during his visit to Malaysia in October.

Cheung said the company was negotiating with relevant parties and the
outcome of the talks would be announced next year.

" Malaysia is a unique country, with all the attributes to be our base for
the South East Asia region," he told BERNAMA after launching Kaspersky 1Malaysia
Collectable Stamps in conjunction with the first day of PIKOM PC Fair 2009.

Present was Pos Niaga Chief Operating Officer Mearia Hamzah.

Cheung said Kaspersky picked Malaysia as the market here was apt for the
company's operations.

" We are No.1 as IT security solutions provider in Malaysia, a position
attained in a short period. That is why we are confident Malaysia can be a
perfect location for our centres," he said.

On a related development, Kaspersky aimed to increase market share by 10 per
cent as a leading IT security solutions provider in Malaysia to 60 per cent from
50 per cent currently.

" Going by our roadmap, next year will be the year for us to strengthen and
upgrade our standard, product quality and capabilities.

" We are not expecting a huge growth number, but the No. 1 spot we have now
cannot be disturbed at any point of time," he stressed.

As to the exact location of the centres, Cheung declined to divulge any
information on the locality.

Pos Niaga is one of the four main Strategic Business Units of Pos Malaysia
Berhad, the post services company in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA