Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia on Thursday announced a 10-billion-ringgit (2.7-billion-dollar) stimulus package, dubbed a mini-budget, to boost its ailing economy.

The fund is the second economic stimulus package by the government after a 7-billion-ringgit package announced in November.

Deputy Finance Minister Kong Cho Ha presented the proposed mini-budget in Parliament for a debate on Tuesday before it could be approved.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said the package was aimed at spurring national economic growth in the wake of turbulence in the global economy, adding that the funds would help in the preservation of jobs.

Malaysia's economy grew a dismal 0.1 per cent in the fourth quarter, bringing full-year growth to 4.6 per cent.

Economists predicted negative growth of 1.19 per cent for the first quarter of this year, caused by a slump in exports and slowing domestic demand. (dpa)