Press Release - 21 August 2002

Nationwide Express Courier Services Berhad ("Nationwide Express") announced today that the company has implemented a web-based track and trace system for the benefit of its customers.

The system, developed and deployed by iRepublics.com will enable Nationwide Express' customers to track the delivery status of their shipments through the internet. In addition to the track and trace function, the web-based system include features such as new account opening, pick-up arrangements, supplies request & customer service enquiries.

Rozilawati Basir, Executive Director, Business Development of Nationwide Express said "A recent survey conducted with our customers indicate that update in shipment status is important to them. This solution and providing excellent service are key criterias in customer's determination of their courier and logistics partner. Our commitment to our customers is to continuously enhance our range of services to provide the best possible solution to their logistics requirement. With the track and trace system, we now provide our customers an internet medium for them to conduct their business with Nationwide Express. "

Nationwide Express is a leading courier and logistics services group listed on the KLSE Second Board. With an extensive network of over 100 locations in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, it currently handles in excess of 30,000 shipments per day.

"With the size of our network and volume handled, we felt that it is important to improve operational efficiencies and capabilities. The track and trace system is part of our continuous improvement in information technology (IT) and communications network to enhance our network capabilities" added Rozilawati.

Nationwide Express relies on accurate information flow and efficient IT to support operations integration. As such, the solution, which is developed by iRepublics.com is designed to interface with our backend system and is scalable to support new features and cater for nationwide and regional linkages. Besides having both the qualifications and experience in delivering the core applications in a build, implement and host approach, iRepublics.com will also be providing value added services such as interactive marketing and branding campaigns throughout its network of over 70,000 corporate members.

Mr Leng Kean Meng, CEO of iRepublics.com said, "We have always been impressed by Nationwide Express as being a well-managed company that achieves almost twenty percent return on equity and consistently delivers gross dividend rates that averages about sixteen percent per year. I believe the secret lies in their exacting standards towards customer service, for deliveries within stipulated times and specific benchmarks comparable to international standards".

"We truly believe in Nationwide Express' potential in becoming a regional logistics powerhouse. iRepublics.com continue to be very excited over this specific project and are keen to foster the relationship for future projects" he added.

Nationwide Express' core business is in domestic courier services. It plans to expand into related areas to enhance its revenue stream and has identified third party logistics and freight forwarding and other related logistics services. The company also sees the introduction of AFTA as an opportunity to expand its geographical coverage into other ASEAN countries to cater for the expected increase in cross-border trade.

Nationwide Express' initiative in this track and trace project is critical and strategic towards the improvement of operational visibility, thus initiating a leadership role in the industry while propelling towards its articulated vision and business objectives.

About Nationwide Express

Since incorporation in 1985 and a successful listing on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, Nationwide Express Courier Services Berhad has grown both its network and revenue year on year to become one of the leading providers of courier, freight forwarding and customised logistics services in Malaysia. By harnessing its strategic network of 110 branches and agents in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam coupled with alliances with reputable international courier companies, Nationwide Express provides fast, reliable and efficient courier, mailroom outsourcing, pick, pack and ship, freight forwarding, supply chain management, e-commerce fulfilment, warehousing and distribution and related logistics services.

Nationwide Express delivers over 30,000 packages daily for both multinationals and local corporate companies in industries that include information technology, financial, telecommunications, retail, automotive, healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and hospitality.

In striving towards its articulated vision and business objectives, Nationwide Express will continue to invest in information technology to improve operational visibility as well as service and operational integrations. Specific initiatives are also underway to expand on its existing courier and express delivery business and to serve new segments such as third party logistics, SCM and collaborative commerce, both in the countries currently served as well as in the region.

About iRepublics.com

iRepublics.com Sdn Bhd (http://www.iRepublics.com) is a subsidiary of Value-i-Store Sdn Bhd, a system integration and web-enablement company that was established in 1996. iRepublics.com is offering corporate web-hosting at no charge and is currently hosting over 5,000 web-sites and about 70,000 mailboxes for the employees in those companies. Its growth has been rapid and continues at about 30% per month. iRepublics.com's value proposition is to improve its clients' long-term shareholders value through web-enablement implementations, the effective usage of new channels for marketing and communications and a more efficient method of customer relationship management system.

By leveraging on its database and a business-centric methodology that utilizes core competencies in Technology, Execution, Creativity and Strategy solutions, iRepublics.com has been able to successfully implement consulting, systems integration, web-enablement and Internet marketing and branding projects for its clients.

iRepublics.com's team of professionals with skills and experience that include senior consulting background, systems and programming analysts, and hardware and integration specialists, has won major projects from corporations across various industries. Its client list include Foote Cone and Belding, CMS Dresdner Asset Management, Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI), OUB Banking Bhd (now UOB Banking Bhd), Tetra Pak and Lycos Asia (M) Sdn Bhd. Nationwide Express will now be added to the list of iRepublics.com's success stories.