KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's benchmark stock index erased earlier gains in the lead up the midday break as investors took profit in the absence of fresh leads to keep the rally afloat.

As the bell rang for an end to the early session, the FBM KLCI was down 0.35 points to 1,605.33. The FBM KLCI had traded within a range of 1,603.29 and 1,610.25, as it moved sideways amid investor uncertainty.