I do not try to corner you. 
Just 2008 is the aftermath of financial crisis, that's why I took this time as starting point.
The extreme case was actually pro USD (RM4.40), but even with extreme case, it doesn't gain as much as many taught.

I just try to highlight that another perspective that many may forget about it.
RM may not strong in term of long term future based on current fundamental, but USD fundamental may not as strong as well.

That's one reason I strongly emphasis and prefer on asset class that can yield good and still got diversification exposure.

USD is safe heaven currency, whenever there is turmoil, crisis, uncertainty arised time, it will surge and stay strong.
But when situation becomes smooth sailing time, everyone will focus back on its massive debt issue, and saying USD is worthless etc again one.

I never intend to say which ever RM or USD is good in the case. 

By borrowing in foreign denominated currency, it will push up the foreign currency reserves, or in other word, you solve the short term problem, but need to solve it later on over the long term.

Buying time is also a strategy, as long as you manage well the economy afterwards, as if Rupiah does rise in the future (due to well managed economy) and when debt maturity time, it saves you money instead, as you repay less.

But generally, not something advisable, as it is always a risky move to borrow in foreign denominated currency, which Asian financial crisis has given a good lesson on it.

If a tabled budget is seriously in term of tackling the economy shortfall and budget deficit, it may be a positive factor.

For long term, it is always a lot of unpredictable event.

When 1998 crisis "exploded" time, many taught it is dead and buried, KLCI sink to 300, RM to 4.80.
But years later, KLCI recovered to 700, and became 1200 10 years later, and 1800 15 years later, which nobody can guess.
Last time, many also said the same thing, no catalyst for the RM or KLCI to turn around.

Same with USD prior before 2008, everyone said massive debt, debt clock ticking which USD would become worthless, but now become the strongest currency.

So I do not dare to make any premature prediction, modern day financial market is simply too volatile and unpredictable.

It is good for you to have diversification.

In term of diversification purposes, the goal is not as simple as looking which is better, but wealth protection, there is no such thing of "regret".

I do not think you get my message on the previous posts.
I am not saying invest in USD is good nor bad.
I am not bullish/bearish on KLSE nor RM either.

But just to highlight, don't premature conclude anything, future is always unpredictable.
Today a hot selling product or business, or highly chased after stocks or currencies, doesn't mean they must be good forever.

Many things do change over the time. 
That's why we need to have diversification to mitigate those risk.

Our conventional thinking that cash is useless may not be applicable for the past 1 year.

If we hold forex, our returns could be between 10-20% in RM terms. Could be higher depending on the timing and which currency

While if you invest in stock market, the return is negative this year.

The notion of "inflation is eating you alive" may not be applicable anymore. Cash may be a good option despite earning no interest

http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/29/investing/...l?iid=obnetwork

well... we're better off than kazakhstan, syria, brazil or russia where prices probably more than doubled.

ok, we're fairly superior, no?

indonesia may actually be fine with this move becos it does not have that much debt, <40% gdp compared to msia's >100%.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/201...alaysia-suffers

moreover, it seems they have secured it from the proper banks.
if msia wants to do the same, will those banks say, "go find a donor"?

we're so "low" that we're group with those countries 

Our retail petrol price was the 1st victim 

Waiting is unnecessary. The effect is already upon us.
I have a relative who's in the sales dept for samsung printers. They have retailers in Lowyat who want to return the stocks to their suppliers instead of paying the invoice.

Such as USD n SGD 

so it's biz as usual even with price hike   

That's why we need to be frugal and diversify out. But for that, we need knowledge. You can't simply say I want to move my money in xxx country without reading up about that particular country.

That time people will "wake up"

Yes. Unlike them, I have been living this kind of life for a long time. You have no idea how cheap-skate I can be. I can adjust. Why drive when one can cycle/walk/take public transport? Drive using proper technique. Why bother eating at fancy restaurant? After all is just for self gratification. And as I already shared with Hansel my opinions on ASX. Like I said before, careful planning and spending will be able to help. Unless malaysia's money become banana money then yes we need to worry. Even then, our ancestors survive in the jungle just fine (planting their own crops, rearing own chickens) during the Japanese occupation. There were no purchasing power back then only about whether one can survive to see the next day or not. You may be anti ASX. But ASX for me is just FD with higher interest. I won't move money into something I do not know yet. It will be suicide. If I move into something I don't know, I might lose 100% of say the 50% of what I moved compare to a decrease in purchasing power of say ~10%. YOu tell me which is better. Losing 50% of what you have or just 10% of purchasing power?

And like I said, price of vege increases? Easy, plant your own vege. It won't be enough but it will help. And there's always tesco which offer reduce to clear vege (at RM0.50) They are still in good condition. Just cut off the bad part and you are good to go. Price of meat increases, there's always tesco which offers chicken at reasonable price. Rice increase? Simple. I don't eat rice. In fact, I have never eaten rice nor any form of carbohydrates for a long time already. High electricity bills? Expensove internet? Just go starbucks and use their internet. Maybe first time order something ask them for password. Subsequent visit, do not need to order anything. Be thick face! Never turn down something that's free!Easy, use the electronic items from the country with low watt. Charged your phone/tablets at office. Save yourself few bucks. That's what my friends and I are going to do. Who needs Astro, Cinema when one have the internet & good books? Who ask one to go on vacation in Europe every year? Go cinema every week, dine out every week? Buy the latest iPhone and iPad every year? Live within one means! The coming years will see frugallity at its best. What I have learn while not in Malaysia will be implemented once I am back in Malaysia.

Not forgetting, despite increase in exchange rates, sometimes it is still cheaper to shop from overseas after counting in the shipping charges than getting from local store. If one knows the way to buy from overseas, it is tax free. No 6% GST there. I am talking about food items.

So electricity, food, entertainment, internet , transport is covered. I don't drink, smoke, party, karaoking or go to pub, or do birthday celebrations or dine in fancy hotel and places. You tell me what more will affect me? The most thing which might affect me in the future is petrol, groceries and maybe rental.

Chill Hansel. 5 years by my calculations. 10 if you are over optimistic.

One should only get married once one can afford a house.  Or else you are going to get yourself into a financial burden.

I wud reckon bau on 1/1/2016

They won't make any announcement as tis is not a CG products which have validity
In addition, tis will send a wrong signal to the public at large