Edited Press Release


  KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones)--Ratings Agency Malaysia has revised its long-term
price assumption for crude palm oil in the rating of commercial real
estate-backed transactions involving oil-palm plantations. The price assumption
has been revised upward by 16% to MYR1,200 per metric ton, reflecting the
change in RAM's outlook on this sector.

  "This revision has been prompted by the structural changes that have been
taking place in the global palm-oil industry over the last two years, which
support our view of more stable and robust CPO prices compared to the
historical price trends," RAM said.

  With the change in RAM's base CPO price assumption for CREB assets in this
sector, there will be a positive rating impact on the sustainable valuation
model employed in rating such transactions, RAM said.

  Nonetheless, the significance and extent of the rating change will depend on
the performance of the plantation assets relative to their cost management. In
assessing the impact on the ratings, RAM said it will also take into
consideration the respective loan-to-value ratios and debt-service coverage
ratios required for each rating level.

  In reviewing the long-term CPO price assumption used in RAM's valuation
model, several key developments affecting global demand for CPO were taken into
consideration: China's growing demand for CPO, which is expected to offset some
of the negative price effects from India's agricultural tariff structure;
recent developments and policy trends as well as progress in the production of
CPO-based biodiesel vis-à-vis escalating crude-oil prices and alternative
edible oils; and - to a smaller extent - greater health awareness concerning
the use of harmful trans-fatty acids.

  RAM believes that all these factors will help reduce fluctuations in CPO
prices and create greater support against adverse movements in commodity
prices.

  As it is, CPO prices have been rising steadily over the past few months, and
are expected to close the year within the range of MYR1,700/MT-MYR2,000/MT.