GOLD PRICES TO REMAIN FIRM AMID GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS, SAYS MALAYSIA GOLD ASSOCIATION

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Gold prices are expected to continue their uptrend this year due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties, Malaysia Gold Association chairman of the Shariah Advisory Board Datuk Prof Dr Mohamad Akram Laldin said today.

He said investors typically turn to gold as a safe-haven asset during periods of uncertainty.

“Whenever there is any hiccup somewhere else, they will buy gold, raising the price of the commodity,” he said, alluding to gold prices having climbed by 40 per cent since US President Donald Trump announced debilitating tariffs in April last year, riling global markets.

Gold prices reportedly rose about 40 per cent last year, with prices currently at RM608 per gram for 24-karat gold.

“I am quite optimistic that it is going to go up, but at times it might go down. However, it is not going to go down very much and is not going to hit bottom, as prices are expected to remain relatively stable,” he told Bernama in an interview after appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s The Nation programme, titled 'The Future of Shariah-Compliant Gold'.

Looking ahead, he expects the price trend to mirror last year’s performance, noting that uncertainties present in 2025 are likely to persist and extend into 2026, thereby sustaining the current trajectory.

Asked whether gold futures could hit US$5,000 per troy ounce this year, he said it was possible, citing the new spot-month January 2026 contract, which was already at US$4,608.10 per troy ounce. (US$1 = RM4.06).

“It is difficult to say, but it is possible to hit US$5,000 per troy ounce this year,” he said.

Mohamad Akram said he expects the number of Shariah-compliant gold investors in Malaysia to grow steadily, as it offers distinct features under Shariah principles, where gold transactions must be backed by actual physical gold.

“Naturally, it will be safer because if I buy gold, then I have recourse to the gold. It is not that I only have recourse to numbers, but I have recourse to the actual physical gold, because that is the Shariah requirement.

“Therefore, investors who understand the risk in investments and in gold investment would definitely go to Shariah products,” he said.

-- BERNAMA