Malaysians forecast economic performance with joss sticks

Asian Economic News, Feb 12, 2001

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 7 Kyodo

Malaysia's economy is set to peak in the second half of this year, the Star daily reported Wednesday, citing predictions based on the divination of burning joss sticks at a temple of the Chinese God of Prosperity.

Some 8,000 devotees, mostly businessmen, thronged to the Sea Pearl Temple in the northern island of Penang on Tuesday, the 14th day of the Chinese lunar new year, to witness the traditional event of flame-watching in front of the God of Prosperity.

It is believed that on the day, the deity wanders to meet with resident deities of other areas to confer on the country's economic situation.

A procession was held early in the day where the deity's urn and statue were carried through the streets.

The 15-minute flame-watching ceremony began at 11:20 p.m. during the high tide.

With the lights off and some 80 joss sticks burning, temple officials fanned the joss sticks three times, with each stroke representing four months of the year. Devotees charted the height and intensity of the flames each time they were fanned.

The flames were strongest in the second half of the second fanning, indicating that the economy will be at its best then, a temple official was quoted saying.

However, the flames lacked intensity, indicating that this year the economy will not be as good as last year, the report said.

Government economists have already predicted that this year economic growth would slow down to about 7% from more than 7.5% in 2000.

Ethnic Chinese make up almost 30% of the country's 22 million population, which is dominated by ethnic Muslim Malays.