KUALA LUMPUR: IT is unanimous. Feng shui masters have shared their predictions of a much better year in terms of commodities, trade, tourism and industrial sectors in the Year of the Metal Ox.
They say Malaysia will see brighter days ahead, following the challenges it faced last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Experts say the Ba Zi (Four Pillars of Destiny) annual chart shows that much relief and happiness are in store for the people.
Xuan Jixuan Feng Shui Consultation Centre consultant and founder Jane Hor and Good Feng Shui chief researcher and consultant Kenny Hoo believe that 2021 will be a year of recovery and improved relationships, albeit with some ups and downs.
WHAT JANE HOR PREDICTS
Hor says 2021 will be a year where everyone can take a short break before things stabilise in 2024.
"This is the Year of the Ox. When you look at the annual Ba Zi chart, you will see that the ox possesses the element that belongs to the Earth, which is related to virus or disease.
"Hence, this year, the issue of disease will still be there, but it may be diverted to animals.
"The year 2021 will be slightly better than last year as the dominant star this year is the Six White, which is a power star. It is gentler than last year's dominant Seven Red, which is a violent star.
"Last year, I predicted that there would be many wars, but it turned out that we did not have actual wars that involved weapons. Instead, it was a 'virus war' that claimed lots of lives and caused the global economy to collapse."
According to the Ba Zi chart, Hor says, it is currently a time referred to as Period 8, which started in 2004 and will end in 2023.
"Now, we are at the transition between Period 8 and Period 9, and the latter stage of each period tends to be filled with turmoil and chaos. This year, a lot of people can take the time to breathe, but the situation will only stabilise in 2024."
Hor says metal and water are the dominant elements in 2021.
However, wood and fire are needed to balance the Ba Zi, hence industries related to wood and fire will do well.
"Our prediction is that fire-related industries such as e-commerce, electricity, artificial intelligence and restaurants will do well. Wood-related industries such as furniture and even education will also do well.
"The slightly weaker industries will be the Earth-related ones like property and agriculture. This year, only the big players are able to survive. The small players will be eliminated.
"Last year, I predicted that the water-related industries would do badly. This year, the water-related industries will still not do well, especially tourism.
"Some trading industries will see better performances this year.
"Metal element industries, which are related to finance, entertainment, automobiles, hardware and performances, will do well this year although they will not have as much yield as before."
She says that according to the Ba Zi, wealth is limited this year and this is why there will be many mergers and much cooperation among companies.
Hor says that since the five-disaster star is flying towards the southeast area, including Malaysia, the country will still suffer from the virus problem.
"Things will get better in March and stabilise in July and August. After that, things will go 'down' a little bit. Then, at the end of the year, we must be extra careful."
She says the key success factors for 2021 are cooperation and trust.
"In Chinese metaphysics, the ox is chou, which means trust. Although the ox is a loyal and a trusted working 'partner', it can be stubborn.
"Last year, many countries saw their trust broken when it came to relationship with other countries. For example, China had disputes with the United States and India, so they lost their trust. This year, they have to rebuild this relationship.
"Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the gap is getting bigger between the people as we observe physical distancing. So the key is to cooperate with each other to enjoy the limited wealth."
WHAT KENNY HOO PREDICTS
Hoo dubs 2021 as the Golden Bull Year or the Year of Turnaround, where companies and individuals try hard to improve their products and services.
He says companies will forge cooperation with others from various fields.
"The ancient classic of Yellow Emperor's Earth Mother Scripture predicts that 2021, the Golden Bull Year, will yield much relief and happiness.
"In the first part of the scripture, it foresees that much-troubled diseases will gradually become calmer and stable.
"There will be more harvests, and it will be more productive for people in various industries."
He says 2021 will be a productive year for most people, with a better supply of goods and most industries getting back on the right track.
"Many business owners and workers will be happier this year," he told the New Straits Times.
Hoo foresees that by May, the market will be in a much better position with a stable post-Covid-19 period. This sitiuation will start from the middle of next month and continue until April and beyond.
"The market should be more positive, especially in February, May, July, September and October.
"The uncertainties and confusion that started since 2020 will slowly resolve after May."
He says that since Malaysia has natural resources and commodities, and due to its recovery and cooperation with economies such as China, the prices and market for commodities such as rubber and palm oil will be in greater demand.
He says the oil and gas sectors will see greater demand with better prices.
"There is good talent in Malaysia, especially in new technologies.
"It is hoped that the government will draw up better plans to attract foreign investors such as from China and Singapore so that there can be more joint-ventures that will create more jobs."
Hoo says industries related to the wood and fire elements will have greater business opportunities.
He sees 2021 as a consumers' market. The prices of raw products, commodities and services will increase. This will be seen in the furniture, fruits and vegetables, medicine, healthcare, education, rubber and palm oil sectors.
"Fire element industries such as electronics, telecommunications, high-tech products, energy, oil and gas, among others, will also do well."
He says the industries with the water element such as tourism, transportation, aviation and logistics will have a new breath of life and gradually improve.
"It will usher in new regulations from the authorities. This will improve sanitary conditions, products and quality of services.
"Therefore, those engaged in these industries must keep up with the times to reach greater heights."
He says metal-related industries such as banking and finance, insurance, stock markets, legal and vehicles will see greater opportunities.
"There will be rules and regulations, and innovations to be integrated in these fields. Experts in financial technology (fintech) will be in great demand."
He says Earth-related industries such as mining, property development and real estate will see much progress, and will get more support from the government.