RT News

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

UPDATE 1-Malaysia state firm acquires Tanjong Energy for $2.8 bln

Wed, Mar 07 03:00 AM EST

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Reuters) - State-owned strategic development firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) said on Wednesday it had acquired Malaysian tycoon Ananda Krishnan's Tanjong Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd for 8.5 billion ringgit ($2.81 billion)

1Malaysia said in a statement it had signed a definitive agreement last Friday on the equity purchase, and that the transaction is now subject to customary financing and regulatory approvals.

"The acquisition signals the first step towards fulfilling 1MDB's strategic intent towards fulfilling the country's long-term energy security," 1MDB CEO Shahrol Halmi said in a statement.

"We are attracted to the strong operating track record of Tanjong Energy, its well-diversified portfolio of quality assets, its strong in-house capabilities and the potential for new growth both here and abroad," he added.

Shahrol said 1MDB aimed to "enhance the capacity of Tanjong Energy as a leading emerging market independent power producer."

Krishnan, reckoned by Forbes to have assets of $9.5 billion, owns his power assets through Tanjong Energy, which owns and operates eight power plants and has investments in five in Bangladesh, Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates, with a total net generating capacity of 3,951 MW.

Sources told Reuters on Monday that Krishnan was near a deal to sell his $3 billion worth of power assets to government company as he seek to shed risky businesses.

1Malaysia said in a statement that Goldman Sachs advised it on the purchase. Standard Chartered is advising the seller.

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