Predicting things rarely takes into account the perspective from Chinese metaphysics. Though the accuracy is not 100 per cent, it would be interesting to gain insights from an expert in the field in how Malaysian economy would look next year to give an overview of negative or postive growth.
Feng Shui expert and Chinese metaphysics practitioner Joey Yap said that 2025 is a favourable year for property investment. However, he said that the focus should not be on the type of property, but rather where the property is located, including its orientation.
"The Feng Shui of a property is determined by its proximity to mountains and rivers which are considered prime locations where Chinese metaphysics is concerned," he said.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that harmonises individuals with their surrounding environment through the practice of organising spaces to optimise the flow of qi (pronounced "chee") which is considered the life force or energy believed to flow through all things. Meanwhile, "feng" is a term for "wind" and "shui" is a term for "water," which promote health and good fortune in Chinese culture.
Yap said that we are currently in "Period 9," which put north and south-facing properties as the point of consideration for investors, as those in general would be a good investment for at least two more decades.
He predicted that real estate and financial sectors in the country will thrive, while wood-element sectors such as education, textile and agriculture would experience challenges.
"It is most likely that these sectors would struggle in terms of adapting to new, technological improvements, and slow adaptation would lead to these industries falling behind compared to the rest," he said.
He added that restructuring and reorganising may impede growth in education; however, it remains an essential sector.
Furthermore, he said that the element that dominates 2025 for Malaysia in particular would be metal, which will especially influence the banking, finance and engineering sectors.
Thriver's Guide author Yap said there is a positive outlook for the real estate and property market, luring in stronger purchasing power among consumers, particularly for the upper-middle and higher-income segments.
He added that this in turn will lead to increased demands in quality properties in prime locations, further growing confidence in the economy that would encourage both local and foreign investors.
Commenting further, he foresees Malaysia will face fluctuations in the economy, with potential for both financial opportunities and losses.
However, things remain optimistic in the economic context, with several efforts for improvement leading to an upward trend in the economy for the nation.
He also predicted that there will be attempts at infrastructural improvements to the healthcare system next year, though some proposed upgrades might not pan out too well when it comes to practical application. Fortunately, he claimed these were not out of the ordinary, and a minor issue.
Elaborating on how to adapt to the changes, he said that embracing an accepting nature would be pivotal since change is inevitable.
"The world will continue to evolve whether we are ready for it or not. The truth is, there will always be winners and losers in any given year, regardless of the circumstances. "What makes the difference is how prepared you are for those changes and how willing you are to step forward and adapt," he said.
Yap, who also founded the Joey Yap Group, said that success in 2025 would not be about waiting for the perfect opportunity to knock, but primarily about preparation and timing.
"Those who are proactive, stay informed, and are willing to take calculated risks will find themselves ahead," he said.
He added that success will only favour those who are ready to pivot and take advantage of emerging trends, regardless of in the context of adjusting to new economic conditions, making smart investments or embracing advancements in healthcare.