JAKARTA, Dec 10 — Most Southeast Asian stock markets traded lower today as global growth concerns persist, with the Malaysian index touching its lowest intraday level in three weeks.

Malaysia’s stock index, down 0.4 per cent by midday, is set for a third day of losses, having touched its lowest level since November 16 earlier in the session.

“Given the absence of window-dressing, bearish technical momentum and slumping oil prices should exert downside pressure on blue chips in the immediate term,” TA Securitie in Kuala Lumpur wrote in a note today.

Leading the decline in Kuala Lumpur is Malayan Banking Bhd with a 0.7 per cent loss, while shares of plantation firm Sime Darby Bhd eased 1.5 per cent.

Indonesian shares were down 0.1 per cent, after reopening from a market holiday yesterday. Shares in motorbike distributor PT Mitra Pinasthika Mulia Tbk fell 2.6 per cent.

Indonesia’s motorbike sales dropped for a third month in November, an industry association said today.

Bucking the trend, Vietnam posted a mild 0.02 per cent gain. The Thai market is closed for a public holiday today and will resume trading tomorrow. — Reuters