AVAILABLE AT PC FAIR - MICROSOFT INITIATIVE TO MAKE ICT MORE AFFORDABLE TO MALAYSIANS*

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 price reduced substantially against backdrop of high oil prices and inflation

*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The first 100 people to visit the Microsoft booth on the first day of PC Fair ’08 will be able to purchase Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 for only RM99!

Kuala Lumpur, August 1, 2008 – From Aug. 1 to Sept. 31, Microsoft's Office Home and Student 2007 will be available at only RM199, a discount of about 60 percent from its original retail price of RM499. After the promotional period, Office Home and Student 2007 will still be available at a permanently discounted price of RM279 - about 40 percent off its former retail price. As part of its Unlimited Potential initiative, the price reduction is one of Microsoft's many initiatives to bridge the digital divide, transform education and build a knowledge-based economy. In short, it will accord even more people with affordable and secure access to genuine Microsoft Office software, the productivity standard of the global workforce. The more affordable Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 will enable more consumers in Malaysia, particularly students, home and non-power users, access to tools to help them realize greater educational and economic opportunities. (From L-R): Yasmin Mahmood, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia, Ralph Tay, Councillor, PIKOM, Anabelle Bernice Co, Product Marketing Manager Office System, Microsoft Malaysia,
C J Ang, President, PIKOM, Raveesh Gupta, Director, Information Worker Product Group, Microsoft Malaysia.

"What we have learnt from the public is that there is a need for a more affordable way to obtain a genuine version of Microsoft Office," said Yasmin Mahmood, Microsoft Malaysia's Managing Director. "By removing the cost barrier, most Malaysians who have previously found it economically prohibitive will now find Office Home and Student 2007 very affordable, especially students and home users," she added.

With the announcement, Microsoft foresees an increase in the uptake of its Office Home and Student 2007 version and, in-line with this expectation, Microsoft will increase product availability in the local market and expand the number of resellers, to ensure access to Office Home and Student 2007 is readily available, with more than enough supply to meet our customers’ needs. Microsoft will also be introducing innovative and compelling initiatives to showcase genuine Microsoft Office products while improving in-store experience for consumers.

The maker of the widely-used Windows operating system is also working with its partners to ensure that genuine Microsoft Office software is available wherever personal computers are sold. Microsoft's commitment in enhancing Malaysia's technological aptitude is shared by PIKOM, the Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry, Malaysia.

"PIKOM fully supports any initiative that makes computing and ICT more affordable to the masses, and to further promote the path for Malaysia to move closer to being a knowledge-based economy," said C J Ang, president of PIKOM.

"Consumers and businesses that deploy and use counterfeit software put themselves, their end users, business partners and suppliers at great risk, and it is just not worth it. The price reduction of Office Home and Student 2007 is timely, and brings the benefits of accessible genuine software to the Rakyat," added Ang.

"We at Microsoft want to take the lead in eliminating the digital divide in Malaysia, and this price reduction initiative is a step towards that goal," Yasmin agreed. "Office Home and Student 2007 plays an important part in this vision, delivering productivity solutions and services that enable social and economic opportunity.”

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 consists of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

During the same promotional period, Microsoft Office Small Business 2007, which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Publisher, will also be available at a discount of approximately 40 percent below retail prices. For more information about Microsoft Office 2007, please visit www.microsoft.com.my/office.