Malaysian shares likely to edge lower

Malaysian share prices are expected to end lower amid concerns over street demonstrations in the country, dealers said. An ethnic Indian rights group enraged the government last month by mounting a mass rally alleging discrimination against minority Indians in Malaysia, which is dominated by Muslim Malays.
Police used tear gas, water cannons and baton charges to break up the street protest which drew 8,000 people, and came just two weeks after another rare demonstration organised by electoral reform campaigners.
"Malaysia is getting bad publicity as a result of the recent street protests and this is not good for the market as it could impact foreign interest in the Malaysian bourse," said Choong Khuat Hock, head of research of Kumpulan Sentiasa Cemerlang, a Kuala Lumpur-based asset management house.