The Star 28/3/00 - AKN Technology Bhd has signed a sales and purchase agreement to acquire the entire equity in three semi-conductor firms Pacgem Enterprises Ltd, Tecpac Ltd and Protek Asia Ltd for RM290 million. The proposed acquisition represented a new venture by the AKNTech group into designing, engineering and distribution of semiconductor chips. AKN group's core business in leadframe manufacturing has been expanding rapidly. AKN said it intended to be a sizeable player on the global stage. After the proposed acquisition, the AKN group will be operating in both the upstream that is leadframe manufacturing and downstream activities comprising design, engineering and distribution of semiconductor chips. Proforma consolidated net tangible assets of the acquiree companies stood at RM20.778mil and proforma consolidated after-tax profits stood at RM11mil. The acquiree companies projected after-tax profits of US$6.9mil (RM26.2mil) for each of the next three financial years ending March 31, 2001 to 2003 as estimated. Loh Soon Gnee who has over 20 years experience in the designing, engineering and distribution of semiconductor products would be joining the board of directors of AKN group and will assume the position of group chief executive officer upon completion of the exercise. Loh will own 31.49 million shares in AKN representing 44.05% of the equity. Loh intends to undertake a placement of a certain number of new AKN shares to be issued pursuant to the proposed acquisition to certain existing substantial shareholders and/or third parties. This will be prior to the completion of the proposed acquisition such that his shareholding in the company will be reduced below 33% upon completion of the porposed acquisition. The proposed acquisition is not expected to have any effect on the earnings of the AKN group for the financial year ended March 31, 2000.

AKNTech launched eBuzz, a comprehensive wireless application protocol (WAP) portal and short message service (SMS) platform. Said to be Malaysia's first and largest independent WAP and SMS system, eBuzz was developed by Messaging Technologies Sdn Bhd (Mtech), AKNTech's subsidiary.

AKNTech expects to transfer its listing to the KLSE main board by the third quarter of 2002 judging by government's strong support for technology-based companies.

Mtech also formalised its business alliance agreements with Ericsson Sdn Bhd and Highpoint Service Network Sdn Bhd.

Sin Chew 15/3/00 - So far AKNTech acquired the following stakes in internet related companies: Cari Sdn Bhd (search engine), Messaging Technologies Sdn Bhd (Mtech), Internet Perspectives Sdn Bhd, Incenplus (consumer market research company). AKNTech was listed in KLSE Second Board on September 1998.

Writer's own opinion 15/3/00 - www.catcha.com's onslaught of additional free services reduces its total reliance on its search engine feature which has strong rivalry from others such as www.lycosasia.com.my. (can anyone tell web writer whether catcha.com is related to AKNTech?)

The Star ad 15/3/00 - www.catcha.com.my, free online search engine provider introduced addtional free service, i.e. free online stocks information. (can anyone tell web writer whether catcha.com is related to AKNTech?)

The Star ad 12/3/00 - www.catcha.com.my, Malaysia's local free online search engine provider, introduced additional free service, i.e. free message sending from www.catcha.com.my to handphone carriers such as Celcom and more. (can anyone tell web writer whether catcha.com is related to AKNTech?)

Sin Chew 7/3/00 - AKNTech bought 49% stakes in Incenplus for RM2mil as part of its internet business plan. Incenplus, started in 1996, had been involved in consumer market research and is having large clientele, including multinational companies. Its EPS is 27 sen.