27/01/2026

BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | JAN 27, 2026

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Selangor CNY celebration to generate spillover benefits

Foreign funds log third straight week of net inflows with RM510.9m KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investors remained net buyers for a third consecutive week for the five-day trading period ended Jan 23, recording RM510.9 million in net foreign inflows, according to MBSB Investment Bank Bhd. MBSB said in its Fund Flow Report that the week-on-week decline in inflows marked a moderation from the prior week’s RM716.1 million. It stated that the inflow remained supportive of overall market liquidity, with foreign investors continuing to provide a positive net contribution despite mixed participation from domestic investors. “Foreign investors were mostly net buyers during the week, with the largest inflow recorded on Wednesday (RM215.4 million), followed by Thursday (RM167.8 million), Friday (RM132.8 million), Monday (RM12.4 million), and net selling on Tuesday (-RM17.5 million),” it said. MBSB said the top three sectors that recorded net foreign inflows were financial services at RM407.5 million, followed by industrial products and services (RM148.6 million), and consumer products and services (RM87.8 million). “The top three sectors that recorded net foreign outflows were healthcare (-RM141.8 million), construction (-RM40.9 million), and utilities (-RM19.5 million),” it said. Meanwhile, MBSB said local institutions returned to net buying, recording RM853 million in net inflows, reversing the previous week’s net selling of RM588.2 million. “Local retailers were net sellers for the eighth consecutive week, with a net outflow of RM1.36 million last week,” it said. The average daily trading volume saw a broad-based increase: local retailers by 18.4%, local institutions by 0.3%, while foreign investors saw a decline of 12.2%. Regionally, foreign investors across eight Asian markets saw net foreign selling intensify for a second consecutive week, with total net outflows widening to US$2.76 billion (RM10.95 billion) in the week under review. This aggregate decline was primarily driven by a massive acceleration in selling from India, which overwhelmed consistent buying across most of the Asean region. -- Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: The International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM) recorded cumulative sukuk issuance of US$22.9 billion (RM90.8 billion) in 2025 through 21 auc tions involving 69 series, as at Dec 31, 2025. In a statement yesterday, IILM said the issuance was supported by three primary dealers – Kuwait Finance House, First Abu Dhabi Bank and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd. In the secondary market, based on total trading volume of US$3.8 billion as at Dec 31, 2025, the top three primary dealers were Kuwait Finance House, Standard Chartered and First Abu Dhabi Bank. IILM CEO Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid said 2025 marked a significant milestone for the corporation. “We successfully upsized our sukuk issuance programme to US$8.5 billion and recorded a 55% increase in outstanding assets to US$6.4 billion, from US$4.14 billion at end-2024,”he said. “These achievements reflect strong market demand and the continued commitment and market-making role of our primary dealers, which underpin the depth, resilience and reliability of our offerings and reinforce IILM’s position as the world’s largest issuer of short term Islamic liquidity instruments.” – Bernama IILM records total sukuk issuance of US$22.9b in 2025

o State to hold event on Feb 7 as it continues to position cultural festivals as platforms for inclusive growth

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Selangor’s state-level Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration in 2026 is expected to generate spillover economic benefits for local traders, SMEs and the services sector, as the state continues to position cultural events as platforms for inclusive growth. The celebration, scheduled for Feb 7 from 5pm to 10pm at the Selangor Palace Recreation Park, is projected to attract up to 10,000 visitors. It is jointly organised by the Selangor state government, Invest Selangor and Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ). Selangor State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade and Mobility, Ng Sze Han said the event goes beyond cultural celebration, with deliberate efforts to ensure participation across different levels of the economy. “For this programme, besides having catering from established operators, we also engage with normal traders so they can use this platform to do their business,” he told reporters at a press conference yesterday. Ng said collaboration with local traders is part of the state’s broader strategy to ensure that economic activities linked to major events benefit not only large players, but also small businesses and informal traders. The celebration was brought forward ahead of Chinese New Year on Feb 17 to avoid overlapping with the fasting month, a move Ng said is aimed at encouraging wider participation across communities. According to him, this inclusivity forms a key component of the state’s social-economic returns. “When we talk about economic growth, we must make sure every level of society benefits. This is the best return in terms of social economy, where everyone can come together and create a harmonious society in Selangor.” Ng said the state increasingly views cultural and festive programmes as part of a wider ecosystem supporting economic

From left: Invest Selangor CEO Datuk Hasan Azhari Idris, Ng and MBSJ deputy secretary Ismail Salim at the press conference.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid agreed that the surge in gold price could reach RM700 per gram this year as traders and investors increasingly turn to precious metals as safe-haven assets amid heightened market uncertainties. “Perhaps because the precious metals are extremely valuable and their values are not influenced by political drama. That makes precious metals such as gold really stand out as a place to seek refuge when the market becomes highly volatile,” he said. He noted that the bullish trend of gold has continued this year, climbing 17.6% to US$5,077.79 per ounce. “Other precious metals are also on the rise, such as silver, platinum, and palladium, which increased by 47.5%, 34.6%, and 25.6%, respectively, to US$105.699, US$2,773.1, and US$2,034.96 per ounce,” he said. – Bernama visitor experience. Visitors are advised to use e-hailing services or public transport, particularly the LRT stations at Pusat Bandar Puchong, Taman Perindustrian Puchong and Bandar Puteri. Demand Responsive Transit van services will be deployed in the area, with users able to book rides via the Rapid On Demand application. Parking areas near the venue are currently being finalised and will be announced within the next one to two weeks. Ng said the close cooperation between the Selangor state government, Invest Selangor and MBSJ reflects the state’s commitment to balancing economic development with social harmony. “Under the theme of the Year of the Horse, we hope Selangor will continue to promote inclusive growth for all.” The state-level Chinese New Year celebration is part of Selangor’s ongoing efforts to leverage major events to support local commerce, strengthen community engagement and reinforce the state’s position as a vibrant and inclusive economic hub.

level since May 22, 2018, when it stood at 3.9655. Meanwhile, the price of gold on the New York Comex exchange on Sunday exceeded US$5,000 (RM19.842) per troy ounce for the first time in history. The price of February gold futures on the exchange rose by around US$40 from the previous close, or 0.8%, reaching US$5,025 per troy ounce. The previous record for gold was about US$4,525.16 per troy ounce, set on Dec 23, 2025. Globally, Innes said, the primary driver behind the gold price surge is the growing risk embedded in government balance sheets. He added that markets are reacting mainly to the magnitude of global debt and the increasing reliance on currency debasement as a tool to manage it. He said instruments such as gold futures are primarily used as a hedge for physical gold positions, whether short or long, and are deliverable. development, social cohesion and domestic tourism. This year’s celebration will introduce a rice-mixing ceremony to replace the traditional yee sang . The initiative symbolises shared prosperity, with rice collected from households, mixed and redistributed to the public. A total of 5,000 packets of rice will be distributed to visitors as part of the programme. “This concept reflects sharing of sustenance and blessings from many households to the wider community, he said, adding that the initiative aligns with the state’s emphasis on community participation. The event will also feature cultural performances, including traditional dances, music, lion dance and contemporary acts, alongside light projections at the park. Ang pao (red packets) will be distributed to 1,500 children aged below 12, along with distribution of fruits and other festive items to visitors. From a logistics and mobility perspective, Ng said public transport usage is being encouraged to ease congestion and improve

Gold price in M’sia set to top RM700 per gram: Analysts KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s gold price is on track to surpass RM700 per gram going forward, supported by a softer US dollar and as the ringgit continues to strengthen, said analysts.

SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said higher domestic gold prices reflected global fiscal stress and currency dynamics more than any single geopolitical event. “For Malaysia, that dynamic matters directly. If elevated gold prices are sustained alongside a softer US dollar or renewed upward pressure on the ringgit, local prices could plausibly move toward the RM700 per gram range,” he told Bernama. The physical price of gold yesterday, as of 9.30am, stood at RM627.39 per gram, up RM15.09 from RM612.30 at 5pm last Friday. The ringgit traded at 3.9665 against the US dollar after the lunch break yesterday, its highest