AirAsia, AAX jump ahead of earnings news

Asset disposal: Passengers wait to check in at AirAsia counters for their flights at Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok. Sources say AirAsia is looking to sell a majority stake in its leasing unit Asia Aviation Capital but is also open to a full sale.

However, blue chips closed lower, tracking the pull-back of key Asian markets on expectations of a US interest rate rise. 

The ringgit, which was firmer earlier against the major currencies, retreated. It weakened against the US dollar to 4.0177 from 3.9845 the previous day, it was lower against the pound sterling at 5.2125 from 5.1785. Against the Singapore dollar, it was at 2.9811 from 2.9805 and weakened to 4.5119 against the Euro from 4.4976.