KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher, buoyed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent, alongside positive cues from Wall Street. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 19.30 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 1,635.86 from Wednesday’s close of 1,616.56. The benchmark index opened 6.72 points higher at 1,623.28, and fluctuated between an intraday high of 1,642.44 and a low of 1,622.62 during the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with losers outnumbering gainers 723 to 497, while 466 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.74 billion units valued at RM3.61 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.81 billion units valued at RM2.57 billion.
Despite Japan's economic progress, rural towns like Misato continue to face economic decline, highlighting the challenge for Japan's next prime minister to ensure the broad and lasting recovery of the entire nation. The disparity is evident in regions like Kumamoto , where a semiconductor boom fueled by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is driving growth, higher wages, and population influx. In contrast, nearby towns such as Misato suffer from shrinking populations and shuttered businesses, with agriculture struggling due to rising costs. Japan's next leader, to be chosen by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) , will face the task of addressing these stark contrasts. While urban centers benefit from foreign investments and a revived tech industry , rural areas are left behind. Candidates in the LDP leadership race have proposed varying solutions, from replicating the TSMC model across the country to boosting tourism and incentivizing businesses and academi...