TM’S REGIONAL MOBILE CUSTOMERS BASE GROW 63 PERCENT TO 26.5 MILLION

TM’S REGIONAL MOBILE CUSTOMERS BASE GROW 63 PERCENT TO 26.5 MILLION Asia’s emerging communications leader continues to register strong growth in Asia Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), an emerging leader in Asian communications with operations in nine Asian countries, recorded an impressive growth of 63 percent in regional mobile subscriber numbers in its third quarter financial results as of end September 2006 to 26.5 million from 16.3 million a year ago. With Asia home to some of the fastest growing mobile markets in the world, TM’s focused and committed strategy to strengthen its role as a strategic investor in markets such as Indonesia, India, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan and at the same time, build strong domestic brands, continues to bring dividends to TM. TM through, TM International Sdn Bhd (TMI), its international investment-holding arm currently has a 19.24 percent stake in Samart Corp Plc (Samart). In a recent move, TMI repositioned its business partnership with Samart by acquiring a 24.4 percent stake in Samart’s subsidiary, Samart I-Mobile Plc. “We continue to post strong, consistent growth in our overseas operations. In Indonesia and India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, TM is well positioned to offer vast resources to drive expansion in these countries which are already considered as some of the fastest growing mobile markets in Asia,” Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Md Radzi Mansor, TM Group Chairman as well as Chairman of TM’s international investments holding arm TM International said at the sidelines of the ITU’s Telecom World Event in Hong Kong. TM, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, attributes this significant growth in the telecommunications sector in Asia to pent-up demand for communications services in emerging countries throughout the region, fast liberalization of the industry, as well as improving economic growth which in turn boosts the Asian population base’s purchasing power. Radzi says TM subsidiaries’ willingness to inject more funds into marketing activities and rolling out innovative products and services in high-growth markets such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Cambodia are also reaping returns for TM. “In fact, we have increased capital expenditure for our international operations and spent more than USD400 million in the first nine months of this year,” he says. “Aggressive subscriber growth and network expansion are the key contributors to higher capital expenditure in 2006,” he added. The bulk of TM’s capital expenditure this year has been allocated to growing its operations in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia. TM has a string of subsidiaries in Asia where it has substantial equity control over several key mobile operators such as Sri Lanka’s Dialog Telekom Limited (87.7 percent), Indonesia’s Excelcomindo/XL (59.7 percent), Bangladesh’s TM International Bangladesh/AKTEL (70 percent) and Cambodia’s TM International Cambodia (TMIC)/Hello015&016 (100 percent). Just this year, TM acquired a 49 percent stake in one of India’s fastest growing mobile operator Spice Communications Pvt Ltd, ensuring the company’s reach extends into one of the world’s fastest growing mobile markets. India adds about 5 million new mobile subscribers every month. Other key investments during 2006 includes USD29 million to raise its stake in Cambodia to 100 percent, and USD32.8 million to acquire a 24.4 percent stake in Samart I-Mobile. TM which is an emerging leader in the Asian communications space is pleased with the progress of its international operations. TM via its local subsidiaries holds market leadership positions in key markets it is in. In the last 5 years, its Sri Lankan subsidiary Dialog Telekom has moved to the number 1 spot, whilst its Bangladesh subsidiary TMIB has captured the number 2 position. Both its Indonesian as well as Cambodian operations are in number 3 position. According to Yusof Annuar Yaacob, Chief Executive Officer of TM International, TM’s overseas operations continued to gain momentum and grow in significance. For the nine months ended September 2006, overseas operations contributed 30 percent to Group PATAMI and 24 percent to Group revenue, up from 23 percent and 9 percent respectively in the corresponding period last year. “We will further establish our position in regional markets where we have a strong presence through execution of strategies and harnessing cross border synergies within TM’s portfolio of investments. TM will adopt an opportunistic approach and pace its international expansion,” he added. With a combined population of nearly two billion across the nine Asian markets TM is present in, the company is confident of making further inroads where it has a presence and invested substantially in. Through its investment arm TM International, the company’s total initial investment to date stands at USD1.44 billion in the communications business across Asia, and is focusing on quick and efficient execution of specific strategies catered for individual countries, so as to enhance the value of investments as well as boost returns. About Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) TM, an emerging leader in Asian communications, offers a comprehensive range of communication services and solutions in fixed-line, mobile, data and broadband. As one of the largest listed companies in Malaysia with a market capitalisation of USD8.38 billion, TM delivers value to its stakeholders in a highly competitive home environment. The Group places emphasis on continuing customer service quality enhancements and innovations. Currently, with investments and operations in 13 countries around Asia and globally, TM is focused on achieving sustainable growth in both the local and international markets. TM has interests in nine key markets within Asia – Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Iran, managed by its international investments holding arm TM International. TM has an impeccable track record of adding value to its investments, working closely with its subsidiaries to achieve strong market positions and profitability. For further information on TM, visit www.tm.com.my Kamonwan Thansri/ Rungnapa Charnwiset Weber Shandwick Thailand Tel : 0 2287 1000 ext. 304, 279 Fax : 0 2287 3436 Email : [email protected] , [email protected]

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