Sarawak-based construction companies, led by Encorp Bhd, rallied in Kuala Lumpur trading ahead of elections in Malaysia's eastern state.

Encorp jumped 11.7 per cent to 90.5 sen at 3:40 p.m. local time, set for its biggest gain since October 2009. Zecon Bhd rose 8.7 per cent to 50 sen, Hock Seng Lee Bhd increased 2.8 per cent to RM1.82, Naim Holdings Bhd climbed 4.6 per cent to RM3.22, and Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd rose 3.9 per cent to RM2.69.

Investors should use the Sarawak polls to accumulate shares of construction companies in the state as some major contracts may be awarded in coming weeks, Wong Chew Hann, an analyst at Maybank Investment Bank Bhd. said in a report today, citing Hock Seng Lee as his top pick. -- Bloomberg