[24042026] The Best Time to Invest in Gold Was 20 Years Ago — The Second Best Time Is Now

The Best Time to Invest in Gold Was 20 Years Ago — The Second Best Time Is Now

By Ahmad Sabri | April 2026

There is a saying borrowed from the world of investment that cuts through all the noise: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." Apply that wisdom to gold — especially in Malaysia — and the numbers tell a story that is impossible to ignore.

If you had bought just 1 gram of gold in 2006, you would have paid roughly RM 72. Today, that same gram is worth over RM 600. That is an 833% return over two decades — while your Fixed Deposit sat quietly, compounding at 2–3% per year.[1][2]

The tree is already tall. But there is still room to grow. And here is why.

📈 The 20-Year Journey: From RM 72 to RM 614

Let's look at the numbers honestly. Gold in Malaysia, priced in Ringgit per gram (24K), has grown from around RM 72 in 2006 to over RM 614 in April 2026. That is not a straight line — gold dipped in 2013, paused in the mid-2010s — but every single dip was followed by an even stronger rally.[3][4][^1]

Year	Gold Price (RM/gram)	Notable Event
2006	RM 72	Baseline
2011	RM 167	Global financial crisis aftermath
2013	RM 128	Major price correction
2020	RM 243	COVID-19 pandemic surge
2024	RM 380	Record breaking rally begins
Apr 2026	RM 614	All-time high territory[^1]

Over the last 20 years, gold priced in Malaysian Ringgit has soared by an astonishing 771.89%. Gold prices in 2026 have continued to rise, up +10.15% year-to-date alone. For context, the best Fixed Deposit promotional rate in Malaysia today sits at around 3.20–3.60% per annum — a rate that barely keeps up with inflation.[5][6][^3]

💡 Why Gold Performs So Well in Malaysia — 5 Reasons

1. The Ringgit Effect

This is the hidden multiplier that most Malaysians miss. When the Ringgit weakens against the US Dollar, your gold — priced in USD globally — automatically becomes worth more in Ringgit terms.[^7]

Albert Cheng, former Managing Director of the World Gold Council (Far East), put it plainly: "Gold is a hedge against currency fluctuations. If the ringgit weakens further, you can use your gold to change for more ringgit. In the long run, gold will safeguard your portfolio."[^7]

During one particular period tracked by The Edge Malaysia, while gold fell 12.4% in USD terms, it actually gained 4% in Ringgit terms — simply because the USD appreciated against the Ringgit by 17.07% during that same period. You won without global gold prices even going up.[^7]

2. A Proven Inflation Shield

Academic research from Malaysian universities confirms it: gold has a long-term cointegration with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Malaysia. In plain English — as the cost of living rises, gold prices tend to rise with it. When your teh tarik gets more expensive, your gold gets more valuable too.[4][8]

A study published by Universiti Sains Malaysia found that during high inflation periods, gold's hedging ability is especially strong. Researchers from UiTM noted that gold has risen from USD 41.10 per ounce in 1969 to over USD 1,878 in the early 2020s — representing a rise of over 4,470 percent in 54 years.[8][9][^10]

3. Safe Haven in Uncertain Times

Every time the world shakes — financial crises, pandemics, trade wars — gold shines brightest. In early 2025, when US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping trade tariffs, gold soared past USD 2,900 per ounce. In January 2026, gold hit a record-breaking USD 5,400 per ounce.[11][12][^13]

Datuk Seri Meer Sadik Habib of the Habib Group observed a 20% increase in gold sales in Malaysia recently, driven by both seasoned investors and younger, digitally-savvy buyers. "In uncertain times, people gravitate towards gold as a stable investment. For many Malaysians, gold is not just ornamental but also a strategic financial asset," he said.[13][11]

4. Gold Beats Fixed Deposits Over the Long Term

Let's run a simple comparison. If you had placed RM 1,000 in a Fixed Deposit in 2006 at a consistent 3% per annum, you would have approximately RM 1,806 today. If you had instead converted that RM 1,000 into gold (about 13.9 grams at RM 72/g), at today's price of RM 614/g, your gold would be worth approximately RM 8,535 — nearly 5 times more.

Investment	RM 1,000 in 2006 → Value in 2026	Growth
Fixed Deposit (3% p.a.)	~RM 1,806	+80%
Gold (MYR/gram)	~RM 8,535	+754%
Difference	RM 6,729 more with gold	—

Gold prices have surged 95.1% over the past decade alone, and over the past year in Malaysia, gold prices jumped 26.04% — far outpacing any savings account. The World Gold Council also reported that gold generated a return of nearly 27% in 2024, one of the highest ever recorded.[12][14][^5]

5. Liquidity — You Can Always Sell

Unlike property or unit trusts, physical gold is highly liquid. You can sell it at any licensed dealer or gold shop across Malaysia. Public Gold offers a transparent buyback programme. MAA Orodesign provides structured pricing. You are never trapped.

Need cash urgently? Pawn it, sell it, or liquidate through digital platforms. "Boom — instant money," as one Malaysian financial writer put it.[^4]

🏅 Two Trusted Brands for Malaysian Gold Investors

Public Gold Malaysia

Established in 2008, Public Gold is one of Malaysia's most recognised physical gold investment companies. Their flagship BungaMas series (Au 999.9) is available in sizes from 0.5g to 1kg, catering to every type of investor — from those saving RM 375 for a 0.5g wafer to those investing in 100g bars. Their products are LBMA-certified with a guaranteed buyback programme.[^15]

Current Buy Price: RM 603/gram (24K) | Sell Price: RM 663/gram[^15]
Website: publicgold.com.my

MAA Orodesign

MAA Orodesign takes gold investment to a more personal, aesthetic level. Their card-style 1-gram gold bars come in stunning designer editions — patriotic themes, anniversary series, festive collections — making them perfect as gifts and investments simultaneously. The gold purity is Au 999.9, and they offer both 916 and 999 gold options.[16][17]

Current Sell Price (24K): RM 486/gram | Buy Back: RM 431/gram[^16]
Website: maaorodesign.com

⚠️ What You Should Know Before You Start

Gold is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Some academic research notes that gold's hedging ability against inflation can be inconsistent in the short term, particularly during low inflation, low volatility periods. A study from UNIMAS concluded that Malaysian investors should hold a well-diversified portfolio rather than relying solely on gold.[^18]

Here are the honest caveats:

• Short-term volatility is real. Gold dropped significantly in 2013 and again in 2018. If you panic-sell during dips, you lose.

• No passive income. Gold pays no dividends or interest. Its value comes entirely from capital appreciation.

• Storage and security. Physical gold requires safe storage. Consider bank safes or certified vault services.

• Premium over spot price. When buying physical gold bars or coins, you pay a slight premium over the global spot price.

The golden rule (pun intended): invest with patience, hold for the long term, and never invest money you cannot afford to lock away.

🚀 How to Start — Even With a Small Amount

You do not need thousands of Ringgit to begin. Here is a practical starting path:

1. Start with 1 gram. At roughly RM 600–700, a single gram from Public Gold or MAA Orodesign is an accessible entry point.

2. Use Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA). Buy a fixed amount of gold monthly regardless of price. This smooths out volatility over time.

3. Consider digital gold platforms. Maybank's Gold Investment Account, HelloGold, and Versa all let you invest in gold with as little as RM 1.[^19]

4. Keep your receipts and certificates. All legitimate gold bars come with authenticity certificates.

5. Think 5–10 years minimum. Gold rewards patient investors. The numbers above speak for themselves.

🌟 Final Word: The Tree Is Not Too Tall to Climb

Yes, the best time was 20 years ago. But the second best time is today. The factors that drive gold prices in Malaysia — a volatile Ringgit, persistent inflation, global uncertainty, and growing local demand — are not going away. Central banks worldwide continue to buy gold in record quantities, supporting long-term demand.[11][12][^20]

More Malaysians are realising what the numbers have always shown: gold is not just a metal. It is a time machine for your wealth. And the journey forward, from RM 614 today, is only just beginning.

"In uncertain times, people gravitate towards gold as a stable investment. For many Malaysians, gold is not just ornamental but also a strategic financial asset."
— Datuk Seri Meer Sadik Habib, Executive Chairman, Habib Group[^13]

Disclaimer: This blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions. Gold prices fluctuate and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Connect with Ahmad Sabri: facebook.com/ahmadsabri.mohamad | x.com/ahmadsabrim

References

1. Gold Price per Gram in Malaysia (MYR) Today - Live Gold Price per Gram in Malaysia (MYR). Updated today with real-time rate, chart, history and qu...

2. Gold Prices in Malaysian Ringgits (MYR) for the last 90 days - Gold Price History in Malaysian Ringgits (MYR) for the last 90 days

3. Gold Price History Malaysia 2026 - Exchange-Rates.org - Explore Malaysia gold price history for 2026. Track MYR gold prices with detailed trends and histori...

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