Press Releases MARC’S RATING ANNOUNCEMENT ON PERAK-HANJOONG SIMEN SDN BHD’S ISLAMIC PRIVATE DEBT SECURITIES

Friday, Oct 14, 2005

MARC has received confirmation in October 2005 from Malaysian Trustees Berhad, the Trustee of Perak-Hanjoong Simen Sdn Bhd’s (“PHS”) RM30 million Tranche V Al-Bai’ Bithaman Ajil Islamic Debt Securities (“BaIDS”) on the following:

The BaIDS’ Holders had agreed to grant further indulgence of 6 months ending 17 November 2005 for the repayment of all amounts outstanding under the Tranche V BaIDS;

The BaIDS Holders agree to waive any compensation rights and defaults, whether or not such rights and defaults are continuing, during the indulgence period;

The BaIDS Holders have further agreed to grant a facility to PHS for redeeming the outstanding BaIDS on or before the expiry of the indulgence period (i.e. 17 November 2005)

The rating of the Tranche V BaIDS is currently at BBB-ID and MARC continues to place the rating on watch pending the repayment of the outstanding BaIDS.