Malaysian shares ended higher on Thursday, boosted by select blue chips and retail interest in stocks linked to the country's newly named deputy prime minister Najib Razak.
Dominant fixed-line operator Telekom Malaysia Bhd rose 5.3 percent to 8.95 ringgit, making up more than a third of the key index's gain.
Dealers said foreign buying in certain banking stocks triggered follow-through interest from local funds which are hoping for more foreign inflows this year.
The benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index gained 0.92 percent to 813.20 points on volume of 879 million shares, 56 percent higher than Wednesday's level. Gainers beat losers three to one.
"It was a pretty mixed market today, in terms of investor participation. The next resistance level should be around 830 points," said Heddy Humaizi Hussain, a technical analyst with Mayban Securities.
Second-biggest lender Commerce Asset-Holding Bhd was the most actively traded banking stock with a volume of 25 million, followed by AMMB Holdings Bhd, the country's fifth-biggest lender.
Firms linked to newly appointed deputy prime minister Najib Razak gained on speculation that they might benefit from his promotion.
Ready-mixed concrete maker Dolomite Corp Bhd, where Najib's brother Nizam sits on the board, was the most heavily traded with 28 million shares changing hands. The stock gained 3.1 percent to 1.35 ringgit.
Nizam is also a director at food maker Mamee-Double Decker (M) Bhd, which gained 12 percent to 1.70 ringgit.
Shares of infrastructure firm Malaysia Mining Corp Bhd fell 1.4 percent on news that its controlling shareholder Syed Mokhtar Albukhary failed to complete the purchase of a hydroelectric dam from the government.
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