Fireworks Light Up the Night Sky

My ears perked up as I hear the deep, resonant booms, sharp crackles, and high-pitched whistles. 

My eyes saw the explosive bursts of vibrant, multicolored light (reds, greens, golds) that paint the night sky, ranging from cascading "willow" shapes to sharp "crackle" effects. 

Fireworks in my neighbourhood last night as viewed from my window at 09:36 PM

Not once, not twice, not thrice – but four times! It is CNY, after all! 

MUFG Bank Ltd. (formerly Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ) expect the ringgit to strengthen toward 3.70 against the US Dollar by end-2026, underpinned by a more durable appreciation cycle driven by structural fundamentals. 

Their senior currency analyst, Lloyd Chan, was quoted by local media as saying that the forecast is anchored in sustained information and communications technology (ICT)-led investment inflows, macroeconomic stability, supportive policy settings, and improving capital flows. 

Malaysia's economy is undergoing a strong investment cycle that will support its medium-term growth outlook, he said in a research released on February 12. 

Investment approvals in manufacturing and services rose 14.7% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, with foreign direct investment contributing to the capital expenditure upcycle. 

Chan said this reflects renewed confidence in Malaysia's policy framework, infrastructure and role in regional supply chains. 

He highlighted that ICT has emerged as the largest contributor to total approved investments, with strong foreign participation since 2022. Malaysia's ICT investment approvals surged about 32% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025. 

And Chan added that Malaysia's macroeconomic stability has compressed risk premiums. 

The ringgit climbed to a fresh high of 3.8995 against the US Dollar on Thursday, hovering near its strongest level in almost eight years. It last traded around that level on April 23, 2018, at 3.8965/8995 against the greenback.