8.34 am - Malaysian stocks seen lower on politics, US troubles

Malaysian stocks seen lower on politics, US troubles KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Malaysian stocks are set for a rocky start to the week as investors focus on political uncertainty and the fate of troubled U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers. Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim plans to hold a rally on Monday to protest against a government crackdown widely seen as a move to derail his plans to take power. Organisers say 30,000 supporters are expected to attend the rally held on the eve of Anwar's bid to lure 30 MPS from the ruling party to join his opposition bloc and form government. [ID:KLR278268]. U.S. stock index futures tumbled on Monday, as talks to secure the future of Lehman faltered, and other financial players also faced a troubled future. See "With the U.S. financial markets in trouble, we haven't seen much foreign interest here as well, and this trend is likely to continue for now," said a dealer at a local brokerage house. "And to add to that is the domestic political uncertainty, which has dampened the sentiment even further," he said. Malaysia's benchmark index has fallen about 28 percent so far this year as foreign investors shunned Malaysian equities after resurgent opposition parties inflicted heavy losses on the ruling coalition in a March 8 general election. Dealers said continued pressure on heavyweight planters, such as Sime Darby and IOI Corp, amid falling crude palm oil prices, will also weigh on the index.