Malaysian stocks set for worst drop in 16 months on election jitters

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21, 2013): Malaysia's benchmark stock index fell more than 2% on Monday and appeared headed for its worst single-day drop in more than 16 months as worries over the country's upcoming election sparked selling across the board.

The FBI KLCI was down as much as 2.3% at 1,638.27 points by early afternoon, its biggest one-session loss since falling 2.5% on Sept 26, 2011, and bucking slight gains in other Southeast Asian stock markets.

A steady drip of headlines in local media about the election and speculation of a poll date late in March is fuelling the selling, said Kaladher Govindan, head of research at TA Securities, a local brokerage. The election must be called by the end of April.

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