KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday amid mixed regional market performance as investors turned cautious over a possible rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision next week. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) pared most earlier losses to settle 4.55 points easier, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,616.52 from Thursday’s close of 1,621.07. The benchmark index, which opened 0.37 of-a-point lower at 1,620.70, moved between 1,609.67 and 1,621.25 throughout the day. The broader market was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 604 to 439. A total of 550 counters were unchanged, 1,151 untraded, and 18 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.17 billion units worth RM2.24 billion from 4.48 billion units worth RM2.75 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-presiden...
Malaysia Budget for the Year 2012: "National Transformation Policy: Welfare for the Rakyat, Well-Being of the Nation"
The followings are the key take away from the Malaysia Budget for the Year 2012 which was tabled by the Malaysia Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak last Friday in the Parliament. - The theme for Budget 2012 is “National Transformation Policy: Welfare for the Rakyat, Well-Being of the Nation” - Last year our FDI growth was the strongest in Asia and in the first 6 months of this year have already reached RM21.2bil - In 2012, private investment is forecast to climb 15.9%, supported by foreign and domestic investment - GDP in the first 6 months of 2011 was 4.4%, driven by strong domestic consumption - In 2011, the economy is forecast to grow by 5-5.5% - Private and public investment are forecast to increase by 15.9% and 7%, supported by foreign investment, the ETP and 10MP - In 2012, the service sector is expected to grow 6.5%, the construction sector 7% and GDP is forecast to be between 5 and 6% - Budget 2012 allocates RM232.8bil for Government plans, including RM181.6bil for manag...