Malaysia KLSE Highlights for Monday

• Bursa Malaysia opened on a positive note in welcoming the year of the goat in the Chinese calendar bolstered by buying interest in certain blue chips.
• The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 0.03 of-a-point better at 1,807.90 at mid-morning, supported by the petrochemical counter and selected blue chips. After opening higher at 1,811.01, the key index fluctuated between 1,804.95 and 1,811.29.
• The introduction of the 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) in April will be the biggest agenda for the property market this year and will pose a challenge for property developers.
• Two days after 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) released results of a more than a month-long strategic review of its operations, the Ministry of Finance released a statement saying it is essential for the group to focus on enhancing its financials further to ensure maximum value creation for the economy.
• Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) or the Armed Forces Fund Board registered an unaudited total profit of RM1.014 billion, an increase of 4.9% compared with last year's RM967 million, surpassing the RM1 billion mark for the first time in its 42 year history.