KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — The ringgit opened sharply higher against the US dollar in early trading today, with investor appetite more inclined towards emerging Asian currencies, a dealer said.

The local note was quoted at 3.1990/2020 to the US dollar from 3.2255/2285 at yesterday’s close.

The dealer said the weakening greenback was due to worries over the length of the US government shutdown and the coming debt-ceiling battle.

The ringgit was also seen trading sharply higher against other major currencies in the early session today.

The local note appreciated against the yen to 3.2864/2902 from 3.3123/3160 yesterday, and was higher against the Singapore dollar at 2.5629/5655 from 2.5755/5787 yesterday.

The local currency strengthened against the British pound to 5.1907/1968 from 5.2282/2344 yesterday, and rose against the euro to 4.3452/3499 from 4.3644/3691 previously. – Bernama