KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — The ringgit opened lower against the US dollar on Monday as heightened risk aversion strengthened the greenback after Brent crude oil prices surged 15.5 per cent to US$107.04 per barrel, an analyst said.

At 8 am, the local currency slipped to 3.9550/9800 against the greenback from Friday’s close of 3.9425/9535.