Malaysian shares closed higher on Thursday, led by blue chips amid window-dressing by local funds ahead of end of June book closures.
The benchmark Composite Index ambled in a tight four-point range before ending 0.38 percent up at 821.30.
Overall market volume stood at 343 million shares, worth 652 million ringgit ($172 million). Advancers beat decliners 385 to 287.
Analysts said volume would have to improve significantly to support a sustained rally.
"There's a lack of volume in the market. We need some follow-through buying," said Heddy Humaizi Hussain, a technical analyst with Mayban Securities.
Seven out of 10 leading stocks, led by Maybank gained. Top lender Maybank gained one percent to 10.10 ringgit.
Other gainers included Maxis, Malaysia's biggest mobile phone operator, which rose 2.9 percent to 8.95 ringgit.
Shares of builders like IJM Corp and Road Builder gained on news that the government is considering raising its budget for development in 2004 and 2005.
Mustapa Mohamed, the minister in charge of economic planning, told state television on Wednesday that several ministries had asked for extra money to complete projects under a five-year development plan between 2001 and 2005.
Malaysia approved 160 billion ringgit ($42 billion) for development in that period and has spent nearly 70 percent.
Road Builder rose 2.7 percent to 2.67 ringgit while IJM added 0.4 percent to 4.62 ringgit.
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