20th Nov - How is the outlook of 2021

Can't believe my eyes, it has been 2 years since I last wrote here. Anyway, the question I am asking myself now, is how will 2021 be. The outlook of 2021 is dependent on the many factors I see as below

- New US President, Biden. I would expect the trade war to go on, with Biden working better with his colleagues from the European bloc and continue to put pressure on China. I don't think China will bow down and they will continue to defend and negotiate to what China thinks is OK and acceptable for them. China doesn't want to or need to be dependent, and remember, before they are open for the economic growth, they were happy and self sufficient already anyway.

- Covid, the promise of vaccine seems to be very positive, many vaccine news all with 90% success seems to be flooding the market. The question I may have is how long does it reaches the mass market and do we know the long term effects of this drugs? Well we have time to study the short term, but how about the longer term effect. I think we are concerned about saving life now then that, but it is still an important question that needs to be addressed. I'll be careful whether to take it or not, if I am not directly exposed on a frequent basis.

- Malaysia economy, we just signed a trade deal with China and 13 more countries. That sounds good, but the local SME has been much affected with the shut down of our country due to MCO. Industry such as hospitality and tourism has been much affected. I think the eateries and many other small businesses are very much affected as well. Some sources says within the past 6 months already 50000 SME has closed shop. We need SME as driver of growth and I think our GDP and employment will be affected next year

- New normal - WFH, masks anywhere and everything order online may be how we are going to be moving forward. Everyone will be online and we just might have fast forward the technology use by 5 years or more. Mobile payment will be the thing to stay now, since we have garnered a lot of people's trust in this devices rather than money.

- I have followed the study of Covid waves since March and I might have shared about the waves concept then, every country in their own way of lockdown and freedom has their way of controlling, therefore will have their own Covid waves. Some country are at 2nd wave and some are at 3rd wave. Make no mistake though, the next wave will be worse then the one before, and I have seen the evidences happening in other country. How each country balance this delicate between economy and the wave, and how they enforce the rules and physical distancing determine how many more cases/death will be, again until the vaccine is out.

2021 What I think it will be

- Cautious spending by the majority, economy tries to open up again

- Good time to buy property as developer is looking for cash

- Glove will remain to be a resilient stock due to its demand though the stock price will depends on a lot of factors since everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

- Government instability might hinder for any major IPO or large development. Until it is decided who can lead with majority, corporation may avoid large projects.

- Before the vaccine is out for the masses, the Covid wave will continue. Every country has different waves and Malaysia is experiencing the 2nd wave now.

~~~ Life is an adventure where we search for the meaning of the outcome.

Being mindful of what is happening, but not getting affected

Honestly, the one thing I don't like being adult is reading news about world events, the conflicts, the unnecessary blood shed, accidents, terrorism and the impact of all those things on human life (possibly far away from us). Sometimes we read of scenarios where major accident or 'Act of God' disaster everywhere. It is simply so depressing.

And amid all this, my prayer goes to those affected and their family members. There is only so much of this news I can take daily. And I have to put on a positive spin for my family and my kid. It is definitely not easy. But we have to, with all the uncertain, we have God which is certain (at least for me) and with him as the foundation, we just have to provide the love and the truth to people around us. Let's not let the mood of things around us affect us, let the strength of God flow through us.

I look forward to the next meeting with friends, the next moment I have playing with my kids, the next football match (go Manchester United) and the next basketball game I have with my friend (while I still can jump, a little)...

Give me some good news, news editors.

~~~ Life is an adventure where we search for the meaning of the outcome.

Annoying

I can't help it but sometimes find myself annoyed when someone come up and say, hey, we are keeping tab, looking into, planning to do some censorship on the Internet. Why so concern about something that you cannot fully control, and then have some half measure of censoring selectively. All this while, the MSC bill guaranteed that no censorship of any kind seems to take the back seat now.

Well anyway, I am not against the view of improvement, but I am against the view that something that is more important that need to be done that was not taken into consideration. Take for example, green house effect. Did you just take a look at the video 'Inconvenience Truth' with Al Gore narrating and presenting almost the entire documentary. Well that is how bad the environment have been and if they want to do something 'big' like censoring and keeping tab on the Internet, why not
1. Have everyone in Malaysia (or at least college student), to watch Inconvenience Truth, understand it and take an exam. Easier than censoring Internet but much much more important.
2. Invite Al Gore to Malaysia to speak to our leaders and business leaders - repeatedly if it is necessary. Easier than censoring Internet but much much much more important.
3. Impose an even tough environmental control against depleting our natural rain forest and carbon emission by car, factories and machinery. Have regular checks and audits to ensure and enforce of such implementation. Easier than censoring Internet but much much much much more important.

I am not sure, but this is our only earth and we have to take care of it. God has given us only this earth to dwelve in and if we do not take responsibility, than who else? If earth is gone, everyone will be as well. Censor Internet, give me a break...

~~~ Life is an adventure where we search for the meaning of the outcome.