Hutchison eyes Multipolar

Hutchison eyes Multipolar

HONG KONG (Dow Jones): Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison
Whampoa Ltd. is in talks with the Lippo Group of Indonesia, the
company confirmed Friday, but declined to say what the talks are
about.

Various newspapers have recently reported that Hutchison is
looking to buy up to 20 percent in Lippo unit PT Multipolar
Corp., Indonesia's sole provider of broadband telecommunication
links.

"We are in discussions, but it's too premature to make any
further comments at the time being," a Hutchison spokeswoman
said.

Lippo deputy chairman James Riady told the Singapore Business
Times Thursday that Hutchison is "very keen" to team up with his
company, but added that no deal has been struck yet.

A link-up between the two companies would create Indonesia's
largest Internet services and cellular phone provider, the paper
said.