Malaysian shares extended losses to end in the red zone on Tuesday again, despite positive economic data. The investors could not find positive cues amid a mixed regional performance.

The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, the main gauge of Malaysian stocks, shed 3.91 points to end 0.2% lower at 1,731.46.

In economic news, Malaysia's unemployment rate held steady at 3% in June, according to data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). The reading was in line with Trading Economics' forecast of 3% and unchanged from May.

Malaysia's Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose 6.5 % year over year in June, according to data from the DOSM said. The pace of growth slowed from the 8.5% increase recorded in the previous month. It beat the consensus forecast of a 2% growth tracked by Trading Economics.

Malaysia and Hong Kong will introduce a simplified framework for dual IPO listings next month, The Star reported Tuesday, citing Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. The framework follows a July 23 memorandum between Malaysia's Securities Commission and Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission that also expanded mutual recognition to ETFs and REITs.

In corporate news, shares of HE Group (KLSE:HEGROUP) gained about 5% on close after its subsidiary, Hexatech Engineering, accepted a project to carry out the supply and installation of 275kV electrical works for a data center in Malaysia.