KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 24): Sentiment at the local market today and for the later part of the week would primarily be dominated by external factors as well as the planned Bersih rally ahead of the Merdeka holiday.

World stock markets tumbled last Friday towards their worst week of the year on Friday and commodities got another kicking, as more alarming data from China sent investors scurrying to the safety of bonds and gold, according to Reuters.

The data from China showed its giant manufacturing sector slowing at the fastest pace since the depths of the financial crisis in 2009, confirming worries about its health that have been preying on economist's minds for months, it said.

The Bersih 4 rally has been planned take place on August 29 for 34 hours starting 2pm, with concurrent rallies to be held at Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and other cities in the world.

The rallies are to be organised by The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, but the authorities have not given their approval for the rally, with the organisers adamant that they would proceed with their events as planned.

Given the fragile sentiment at global markets, the weakening ringgit as well as the local political scenario, the FBM KLCI is expected to stay jittery and likely trend sideways.