KUALA LUMPUR (March 17): Consumer counters were among top losers on Bursa Malaysia in early trade today following the government’s move to impose a 14-day partial lockdown starting tomorrow.

This is despite the government’s assurance that supermarkets, public markets, and sundry and convenience shops that sell daily essentials will remain open during the two-week period.

Topping the list was Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, whose shares were down 7.95% to RM35.90 at 10.26am, but only 7,400 shares were traded.

Five other consumer stocks on the list were Nestle (M) Bhd (down 2.03% to RM130.50), Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd (down 9.25% to RM25.12), Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (down 1.01% to RM27.34), Heineken Malaysia Bhd (down 5.08% to RM18.32), Ajinomoto (M) Bhd (down 7.51% to RM10.84) and Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd (down 1.41% to RM19.60).

Other counters on the list were Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, which declined 12.9% to RM9.32, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd (down 9.05% to RM11.26) and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (down 6.1% to RM17.56).

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the movement control order to curb the spread of Covid-19. The order is imposed under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and well as the Police Act 1967, which cover a range of activities.