KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed almost flat on Tuesday as buying interest rotated away from index heavyweights towards smaller-cap construction stocks, with sentiment affected by geopolitical uncertainty, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.39 of a point to 1,714.40 from Monday’s close of 1,714.79. The benchmark index opened 1.65 points lower at 1,713.14 and moved between 1,710.44 and 1,714.50 throughout the trading session. The broader market was almost evenly balanced, with decliners leading gainers 548 to 546, while 598 counters were unchanged, 1,107 were untraded and 25 were suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.13 billion units valued at RM3.14 billion from 3.60 billion units valued at RM2.45 billion on Monday.
A Hong Kong court has ruled that the national security case against pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai can proceed, rejecting his bid to quash the trial. The decision means the 76-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily faces charges that could lead to a life sentence. Key Points for Investors and Observers: Court Ruling: Decision: Judge Esther Toh ruled that Lai has a case to answer on all charges. Charges: Lai is accused of conspiring to collude with foreign forces to sanction China and Hong Kong, and conspiring to publish seditious information. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment. National Security Law: Context: The charges fall under the Beijing-imposed national security law, aimed at curbing dissent following the 2019 protests in Hong Kong. Significance: This case is among the most high-profile under this law, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activities. Legal Arguments: Defense: Lai's lawyer, Robert Pang, argued there was no evidence of cont...