KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to close higher on Wednesday on selective buying of defensive stocks after a volatile trading session. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said consumer products and services stocks lifted the key index higher, overcoming lingering geopolitical concerns. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.08 points to 1,715.56 from yesterday’s close of 1,712.48. The benchmark index, which opened 1.91 points higher at 1,714.39, moved between 1,710.79 and 1,720.59 during the day’s trading. In the broader market, gainers outstripped decliners 550 to 476, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,129 untraded, and 48 suspended. Turnover rose to 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.48 billion from 2.94 billion units valued at RM2.56 billion on Tuesday.
Japan is temporarily reversing part of its clean energy strategy, allowing greater use of coal-fired power plants to safeguard energy supply amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. Policy Shift to Boost Energy Security The government will permit less-efficient coal plants to participate in capacity market auctions , expanding available electricity supply. Previously, these plants were excluded as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions , but rising energy risks have forced policymakers to prioritise energy security over climate goals . Energy Shock Drives Strategic Reversal The shift comes as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions at major LNG facilities strain global energy supply. Japan remains highly exposed: Over 90% of oil imports come from the Middle East LNG supply risks are rising due to regional instability Increasing coal usage is expected to offset around 500,000 tonnes of LNG demand , helping stabil...