Much to savour in a testing monkey year

IT'S the Year of the Monkey, which as animals go, is one of the most interesting creatures in the world. There are over 250 different species. They range in size from the pygmy marmoset, which has a five-inch body weighing about 100 gms, to the large mandrill, which is about 35 kgs.

What can we expect from monkeys? For sure the primate has boundless energy, great creativity, is highly agile and has much innate mischief - all attributes needed to survive volatility in financial markets.

Even though the Zodiac animal changes every year, there are several constants - for example, long queues to buy bak kwa, money-changers doing brisk business and remittance centres helping folks far away to also have a Happy New Year.