FOREIGN INVESTORS' PARTICIPATION REMAINS HIGH

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Foreign participation in the local bourse remains high at 31 percent currently despite the bearish sentiment in the local market, said Malaysia's Stock Exchange chief executive officer, Yusli Mohamed Yusoff.

"The foreigners are still in the market but the number was not as big as
before," he told a media briefing on Invest Malaysia 2009 here Friday.

Last year, foreign investors' participation was about 42 percent, he said.

On whether the investment conference would help attract back foreign
investors to the local bourse, Yusli said there was a possibility.

Invest Malaysia 2009 will include sessions by ministers, chief ministers,
government-linked company heads and corporate captains.

Yusli said interesting opportunities still existed for investors in the
local market based on the interests from retail investors who had focused mainly
on good second- and third-liners.

"In the past, they come in after foreigners were active in the market. This
time, however, they come in on their own and that is a good sign," he said.

He said Malaysia's Stock Exchange has earmarked steps to further enhance
market efficiency, access and the coming streamlining of its new market
structures.

On the quality of the Malaysian capital market, Yusli said Malaysia's Stock
Exchange regulatory framework has been designed not only to be pro-business but
to ensure that high market integrity was achieved through compliance.

"Investors can be assured of adequate protection as the exchange places high
priority on transparency, accountability and corporate governance," he said.

-- BERNAMA