The country's strong gross domestic product (GDP) data failed to offset general election concerns for a weak opening on Bursa Malaysia.
At the opening, the FBM KLCI index started up 0.78 points at 1,468.99 before falling 3.15 points at 1,465.06 compared to Friday's close at 1,468.21.
In the broader market, gains at 150 outpaced losses at 114, while 248 counters were unchanged, 1,813 untraded and 13 suspended.
Total revenue at 114.81 million units worth RM39.16 million.
According to Kenanga Research, investors are seen looking forward to the 15th General Election (GE15) before making any moves in Bursa Malaysia even though the index closed 1.27% higher at 1,468.21 after the release of GDP data.
Hence, investors are expected to buy less on the stock exchange throughout this week until GE15 is over.
Heavyweight stocks saw Maybank remain at RM8.60 and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd flat at RM8.73 while Public Bank Bhd fell 2 sen to RM4.43, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd lost 3 sen to RM5.49 and RM5. 97.
Active stocks saw Advance Synergy Bhd down 0.5 sen at 13 sen, Ta Win Holdings Bhd down 0.5 sen at 8 sen and Lambo Group Bhd down 1.5 sen at 4 sen while Techna-X Bhd gained 1 sen at 3.5 sen and Jade Marvel Group Bhd added 0.5 sen at 28.5 sen.
On the index board, FBM Emas Shariah index decreased 8.2 points at 10,521.38, FBM Emas index fell 10.17 points at 10,406.73, FBMT 100 index budded 12.1 points at 10,139.49 while FBM 70 added 24.32 points at 12,396.34 and FBM ACE rose 4.6 points at 5,097.91.
In terms of sectors, the Financial Services index fell 28.5 points at 16,324.73, the Plantation index fell 37.28 points at 6,865.45 while the Energy index gained 3.42 points at 727.74 and the Products and Services index added 0.5 points at 179.9.
