Bursa Malaysia’s KLCI slipped 6 points, or 0.4%, to 1,709 at midday Wednesday, snapping a four-session winning streak as investors locked in profits after the benchmark touched a near three-week high. Sentiment was further weighed by energy supply concerns stemming from heightened tensions in the Middle East, even as Kuala Lumpur prepares to roll out the B15 biodiesel mandate, transitioning from B10 with an interim B12 target.
Across the region, Indonesia is proceeding with its B50 biodiesel program this year, while Thailand is accelerating adoption of B20, underscoring a broader shift toward higher biofuel blends in Southeast Asia. However, firmer U.S. equity futures helped limit downside after President Trump pledged to extend the Iran ceasefire indefinitely to facilitate further peace talks.
Analysts noted that Malaysia’s consumer sector continues to offer relative defensive appeal, underpinned by domestically driven earnings and sustained government support. On the downside, retail trade led sectoral losses, followed by transport, industrial services, and financials. Among notable decliners were 99 Speed Mart Retail (-2.2%), Sunway Bhd (-1.9%), Hong Leong Bank (-1.2%), and Maxis Bhd (-1.1%).
