KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19: Malaysian crude palm oil futures rose on Monday as investors grew concerned over hot weather hurting the South American soya crop, which could potentially limit global supplies of edible oil.

Gains were still muted on a sell-off in Asian financial markets, driven by worries of instability in the unpredictable state of North Korea after the death of leader Kim Jong-il. Benchmark March palm oil futures on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange settled up 1.2 per cent at 3,020 ringgit ($950).

Traded volumes stood at 16,811 lots of 25 tons each, compared with the usual 12,500 lots on investor caution over the possible tensions in the Korean peninsula and Europe downgrade fears.— Reuters