News in brief

CONTRACT FOR SAPURACRESTUNIT EXTENDED FOR US$65MIL 

Sapura Crest Petroleum Bhd said acontract secured by its wholly ownedsubsidiary Petcon (M) Sdn Bhd to providetender assisted platform rigs hasbeen extended by ExxonMobilExploration and Production MalaysiaInc for US$65mil.  

Sapura said theextension of the contract is expectedto contribute positively to its earningsand net tangible assets for the financialyears ending January 2006 toJanuary 2009. — AFX-Asia 

PMB PLANS TO SELL BONDS 

Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd (PMB)plans to sell US$1bil in 10-year bonds,sources familiar with the plan saidyesterday. 

The planned sale, which is expectedto be one of Malaysia's biggest dollarbond issues this year, is the company'sthird attempt since 2003 to tap theinternational capital market. 

PMB has shortlisted five banks -including Deutsche Bank, JP Morganand ABM AMRO - to handle the bond,which would be fully underwritten, asource said. — Reuters