KUWAIT INCREASES STAKE IN SIME DARBY The Kuwait Investment Office (KIO) has increased its stake in <Sime Darby Bhd> to 63.72 mln shares, representing 6.88 pct of Sime Darby's paid-up capital, from 60.7 mln shares, Malayan Banking Bhd <MBKM.SI> said. Since last November, KIO has been aggressively in the open market buying shares in Sime Darby, a major corporation with interests in insurance, property development, plantations and manufacturing. The shares will be registered in the name of Malayan Banking subsidiary Mayban (Nominees) Sdn Bhd, with KIO as the beneficial owner.