Fresh inflation concerns

UBS Investment Bank Senior Economist for Asean, Edward Teather said, Malaysia would be the least affected of Asean countries in the immediate term by the spike in crude oil prices, due to its export-oriented economy. Tether noted a prolonged spell of higher-than-forecast oil prices, due to heightened tensions in Iraq, could lead to fresh inflationary concerns in spite of the country's status as a net oil exporter in the region.