0212 GMT - Malaysia's fiscal support could be doing the heavy lifting in sustaining consumer spending despite weaker sentiment, with private consumption growing 4.8% on year in 2Q, Hong Leong IB analyst Jonathan Ooi says in a note. The coming budget due Oct. 9 could extend support, alongside a possible minimum-wage increase, he reckons. Government utilities subsidies and potential cash aid should help consumer sentiment recover, while tourism provides another growth driver, he says. The return of F1 to Sepang during China's Golden Week could be a strong catalyst, he adds. Costs remain a key watch point, with fuel, freight, CPO and coffee prices rising amid the Iran war, Ooi says. Hong Leong maintains an overweight rating on Malaysia's consumer sector. AEON Co. (M) and Focus Point are its top picks.