Release: Straits Asia: Completion of a permit review at Sebuku

Singapore ? 27 December 2008: Straits Asia Resources Limited wishes to announce that the Kotabaru police department has recently completed an investigation into whether mining activities had been undertaken in non-permitted forest areas (pinjam pakai areas) at Sebuku Island. This has been referred to in the local Indonesian media. No significant disruption to the mine occurred as a result of the investigation.

Straits Asia was, and is, of the opinion that it holds all the relevant permits for its mining activities at Sebuku, that they are valid and co-operated with the investigation by the authorities. Straits Asia is pleased to announce that the authorities are satisfied with their review of the permits; and that the investigation is now finished and mining activities at Sebuku are continuing as normal. (end of release)