New parties interested to acquire PLUS Expressways Bhd have until 5pm on Jan 10, 2011, to submit their bids, said Minority Shareholders Watchdog Group corporate services general manager, Lya Rahman.

'Instead of 5pm (deadline) today, offers to take over PLUS from other bidders have been extended to 5pm on Jan 10, 2011,' she said.

She said this to reporters after the adjournment of PLUS extraordinary general meeting (EGM) here today.

Today's EGM was scheduled to approve the UEM Group Bhd-Employees Provident Fund (EPF) bid to buy over PLUS for RM23 billion.

'Basically, we agree to adjourn the meeting. We will get more time to look at the proposals, and eventually shareholders can get a true picture,' she said.

She said it was important to look at the merits of the two bidders -- UEM-EPF joint bid and Jelas Ulung Sdn Bhd and decide on the best option.

On Jelas Ulung, Lya said, shareholders were more concerned about the higher price than the merits of the company.

About 130 shareholders attended the AGM which was adjourned at noon.

PLUS shares added three sen to RM4.65 at 12.30pm. -- BERNAMA