KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12): Bursa Malaysia opened easier on Tuesday, amid a mixed regional market performance, said an analyst. 

At 9.14am, the FBM KLCI had fallen 2.07 points to 1,452.97, from 1,455.04 at Monday's close. The key index opened 0.75 point lower at 1,454.29.

The broader market was negative, with decliners surpassing advancers 175 to 136, while 270 counters were unchanged and 1,741 untraded. 

Turnover amounted to 268.08 million units worth RM106.73 million.

Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd said traders may stay cautious ahead of the US Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Sept 19-20. 

"Closer to home, we think the local bourse may perform on a positive note, after Economy Minister Mohd Rafizi Ramli elaborated further on the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) on national TV. 

"He has reiterated that the government will be focusing on five high-growth, high-value sectors (HGHV), [which would help lift the local bourse], while buying interest may spill over from Wall Street’s rise overnight as well," said the brokerage firm. 

Under the 12MP, the five HGHV sectors that would be in focus are renewable energy, technology and digital, electrical and electronics, agriculture and agro-based, as well as rare earth industries. Malacca Securities reckoned that investors may look into those areas for trading opportunities over the near term.

Commodities-wise, Brent crude oil maintained its firm trading tone above the US$90 per barrel level, while crude palm oil prices were still trading below RM3,800 per tonne.

Bursa heavyweight counters Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) at RM9.15 and Public Bank Bhd at RM4.23 had declined one sen each, while Petronas Chemical Group Bhd dropped seven sen to RM7.16. 

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd at RM5.72 and Telekom Malaysia Bhd at RM5.06 had gained one sen each.

Of the actives, IFCA MSC Bhd added two sen to 33 sen, Ekovest Bhd shed two sen to 51 sen, while Tanco Holdings Bhd at 55.5 sen and Asdion Bhd at 2.5 sen were both flat.