Malaysian shares sprang a second day on Tuesday, joining other Asian bourses in taking the cue from US shares, which staged their biggest one-day gain since 1933, amid optimism that policymakers may be able to contain a depression although not a recession.

But while financial experts cheered the rise, they remained cautious about the shorter term prospects for the Malaysian market, which has been burdened by political bickering and scandal.

The government's reticence on how it could protect the economy from the global contagion and its failure to announce any solid measures or backup plans have also weighed on sentiment.