A grim 2009 looms. This seems to be the verdict of leading economists and astrologists for the impending Year of the Ox, which is next up in the Chinese zodiac.

Global economic growth is predicted to slow to a crawl as trade volumes fall for the first time in 26 years.

Developing countries can expect a sharp downturn, as recession hits high-income countries. Commodity prices will plunge and global consumption will shrink, as ripples spread from the crisis that has hit the US, Europe, Japan and China.

The World Bank has cut its forecast for China’s economic growth to 7.5 percent from 9.2 pe cent, despite some 4 trillion yuan (US$585.7 billion) that may be pumped into the economy. Already, thousands of factories are being closed down.

Canada and Italy have declared a recession. In Sweden, companies are slashing jobs and in Japan, leading automaker Toyota is reducing production.

Hans Timmer, a leading economist on global trends, said: “Policymakers in both developing and high-income countries must be prepared to weather a worst-case scenario of even lower growth - marked by job retrenchments and consumer spending tightening.”

world stock market forex 141008 06 If that isn’t enough, well-known astrologists predict political upheavals marked by assassinations, atrocities, natural calamities, rampant corruption, social decadence, environmental destruction, massacres and revolutions.

According to them, the planetary configuration on Jan 25 - the last day of the Year of the Rat - will trigger another wave of world disorder which will last until March 23, 2023.

The ox or water buffalo, which occupies the second sign in the Chinese zodiac, makes its entry on Jan 26, tied to the ‘double earth’ element.

As this ox will comprise more yin (negative energy) than yang (positive energy), the new lunar year will see a conflict in the elements.

malaysia stock exchange market klse 141008 05 Expect turbulence from earthquakes, extensive flooding, volcanic eruptions and epidemics - hardly better prospects that in the Year of the Rat, which has been marked by a financial crisis, natural disasters, political unrest and extreme climatic changes.

In a previous Year of the ‘earth’ Ox in 1949, China’s strongman Mao Tse Tung marched into Nanking. In the US, a Bill was introduced to relocate African-Americans equitably throughout the country. MCA was formed. Siam became Thailand. George Orwell’s 1984 was published and three pairs of UFOs were visible for 10 minutes.

Astrologer Daniel Franklin, looking at 2009, told the Economist: “There will be a shift of (world) power to Brazil, Russia, India and China. There will be more climatic changes due to global warming and emergence of issues like carbon trading, water shortages (in some parts of the world) and alternative energy.”

The rat and ox in Malaysia

The Rat may be either blamed or praised for the ‘political tsunami’ in Malaysia’s 12th general election, the awakening of voters and birth of Pakatan Rakyat.

Malaysians suffered because of the greed of unscrupulous businesses that have exploited consumers in the guise of coping with the rise in fuel prices which peaked at US$147.27 per barrel.

The ox is unlikely to bring about effective reform or drastic change in governance at federal level, especially in teasing out the tangle of powers in the executive, legislature and judiciary, despite ongoing token efforts.

The quality of life is expected to erode further - social ills, contagious diseases, environmental pollution, ‘man-made’ natural disasters, corruption, poor enforcement and crime will prevail.

Abuse of power, neglect of human rights and absence of free expression will persist through the year.

Being forewarned, Malaysians must keep politicians and the authorities on their toes. No one can afford to plod along, mired in muck and mud, putting up with shortcomings with ox-like forbearance.