Malaysia ringgit hits 16-year low on political uncertainty

Malaysia's ringgit hit a 16-year low Monday on growing political uncertainty following allegations that a probe into a state investment fund found hundreds of millions of dollars were transferred into the prime minister's personal accounts.

The currency dropped 0.8 percent to 3.8088 against the greenback in Kuala Lumpur, the lowest level since May 1999.

The currency was fixed at 3.8 to the dollar in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis after it slumped 35 percent the previous year. The peg was dropped in 2005.

Malaysian stocks were also down 1.3 percent, in line with regional markets that have been roiled by the Greek debt negotiation saga.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that government investigators had uncovered nearly $700 million that moved through government agencies, banks and companies linked to state-controlled investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

It said the funds ended up in the accounts of premier Najib Razak, who chairs the advisory board of 1MDB which he launched in 2009.

Malaysia's attorney general said Saturday that a task force would investigate the allegation, which Najib has dismissed as "political sabotage".

1MDB has said it had never provided any funds to Najib, and the premier has in the past persistently denied any wrongdoing .

Both Najib and 1MDB have also said that previous leaked documents had "reportedly" been tampered with, and that the documents cited by the WSJ had not been verified.

The prime minister, under pressure after being accused of failing to properly address allegations that hundreds of millions of dollars have gone missing from deals involving 1MDB, earlier this year ordered government auditors to examine the fund's books.

Ooi Chin Hock, a dealer with M & A Securities, said the cloud over the prime minister and his failure to respond specifically to the allegations were causing uncertainty.

"Weak oil and commodities prices, along with an unexpected slowdown in exports of Southeast Asia's third largest economy, is also putting strain on the ringgit," he told AFP.

"Investors' confidence has been shattered. Unless we settle the political issue involving Najib and 1MDB, the ringgit could slide lower."

Nicholas Teo, an analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore, said the Greek "No" vote on austerity measures had also played a part in the ringgit's plunge.

"It's a knee-jerk reaction coupled with the WSJ report," he said.

Malaysia's main opposition parties have demanded an emergency sitting of parliament to discuss Najib's future amid calls for the prime minister to step down temporarily until the investigations are completed.

Najib is also struggling to fend off a persistent campaign for his ouster by influential former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.