
ASEAN Speaks
ASEAN Speaks by Maybank presents conversations with market analysts and thought leaders across Southeast Asia on topics covering equities, fixed income, forex, economics, sustainability, and current affairs that impact regional markets.
Latest episodes

Apr 14, 2023 • 23min
The Social Circle EP2: The Power of Voice
In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the world of social advocacy, moving beyond the traditional approach of providing handouts to the needy and disadvantaged. Host Sam Yeow is joined by our guest, Heidy Quah, who leads Refuge for the Refugees, a movement that campaigns for basic human rights such as education and healthcare for refugees. We'll hear from a passionate social advocate, exploring their focus, challenges, and how we as a society can navigate effective advocacy for those in need.
Here’s what you will learn:
Rethinking the approach to helping the disadvantaged: We discuss the limitations of handouts and donations and explore more sustainable solutions like education, opportunities, and tailored programmes that empower people in need.
The power of social advocacy: We deep dive into Heidy’s cause, challenges she faces, and how she’s using her passion to create meaningful change
Overcoming the challenges of social advocacy: We explore the obstacles that social advocates face and discuss strategies for overcoming them in order to create a more effective and lasting impact.
Listen to the inspiring story from ‘The Social Circle’ on ASEAN Speaks by Maybank.

Apr 14, 2023 • 24min
The Social Circle EP1: The Power of Will
In this uplifting episode, host Sam Yeow interviews two individuals who share their unique experiences and perspectives on acts of goodwill for the
community. We delve into the challenges, barriers, and motivations that drive them to make a difference, demonstrating that no matter your circumstances, you can make a positive impact in your own way.
Our first guest, Charis Ding, Co-Founder of MYReaders, shares her journey in empowering children through literacy and providing more opportunities for upcoming generations. We are then joined by Yu Ren Chong, Dep. Executive Director of WAO Malaysia who advocates for women’s rights.
Here’s what you will learn:
Inspiring stories from those actively working to better the lives of others, highlighting their unique reasons and experiences.
Overcoming challenges and barriers: We discuss the distinct obstacles faced in their pursuit of goodwill, and how they overcame these challenges to make a meaningful impact.
The power of will and tenacity: This episode emphasises on the point that regardless of circumstance, the will to make a difference can lead to remarkable change.
Listen to these inspiring stories from ‘The Social Circle’ on ASEAN Speaks by Maybank.

Apr 10, 2023 • 4min
Highlight: ASEAN+ Stock Picks, KLCI Outlook
From our Weekly Briefing, we highlight our ASEAN+ note and outlook on the KLCI.
Host: Winson Phoon, Head of Fixed Income Research
Guest: Anand Pathmakanthan, Head of Regional Equity Research
For the full conversation with other analysts, go to the Weekly Briefing episode on ASEAN Speaks.

Apr 10, 2023 • 30min
Weekly Briefing: Inflation; ASEAN FX & Equities Strategy; OPEC+ As Swing Producers
Our analysts across ASEAN examine the inflation data in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, and weigh in on the impact of Thai’s elections on its stock market and China’s slower than expected recovery. We also discuss despite the surprise decision by OPEC+ to cut crude oil production, we are maintaining our oil price estimate at $100/barrel for 2023.
00:31 - Roundup - Winson Phoon
04:23 - ID inflation - Lee Ju Ye
07:22 - TH inflation - Lee Ju Ye
09:53 - PH inflation - Zamros Dzulkafli
13:56 - FX outlook - Saktiandi Supaat
19:38 - ASEAN strategy - Anand Pathmakanthan
22:40 - KLCI forecast - Anand Pathmakanthan
23:46 - OPEC cut - Liaw Thong Jung
25:11 - TH banks - Jesada Techahusdin
27:12 - VN strategy - Hoang Huy

Apr 3, 2023 • 30min
Weekly Briefing: SG Expect Further Tightening; VN GDP Slows; El Nino Returns?
A monetary review of Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam following new data and interest rate increases, and also the resilience of ASEAN banks vis-a-vis Silicon Valley Bank. Something we might not be able to escape is El Nino which has a 50% chance of surfacing in July and its impact on currencies and palm oil output.
00:31 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias
02:41 - MY GDP - Zamros Dzulkafli
06:08 - MY monetary review - Zamros Dzulkafli
07:24 - SG monetary review - Lee Ju Ye
08:59 - TH inflation, interest rate - Lee Ju Ye
11:23 - VN GDP - Brian Lee
14:04 - ASEAN banks - Thilan Wickramasinghe
16:47 - MY banks - Desmond Ch’ng
19:15 - commodities, FX, climate patterns - Saktiandi Supaat
27:12 - US corn, plantation picks - Ong Chee Ting

Mar 27, 2023 • 32min
Weekly Briefing: TH Election Tight Race; SG Manufacturing Drops; ASEAN Undervalued Picks
Looking at the likely outcomes and implications as Thais vote at their General Elections on the 14th of May - what is the likelihood of Pheu Thai founded by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra coming into power? We also consider the potential depth of Singapore's recession as manufacturing drops more than expected in February. And as banks in the US and Europe continue to dominate headlines, what has been the impact on ASEAN markets, and what are the undervalued stocks?
00:29 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias
05:22 - SG macro - Chua Hak Bin
08:05 - CN recovery - Brian Lee
11:13 - TH elections - Lee Ju Ye
14:52 - TH economics - Lee Ju Ye
16:57 - TH banks - Jesada Techahusdin
18:49 - PH economics - Zamros Dzulkafli
22:01 - PH picks - Jacqui de Jesus
24:01 - ASEAN picks - Anand Pathmakanthan
27:01 - Plantations - Ong Chee Ting
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Mar 20, 2023 • 29min
Weekly Briefing: SG NODX Forecast Cut; “Small But Beautiful” Belt & Road; Contagion & Currency Scenarios
We review possible contagion and currency scenarios, and cut our forecast for Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) after it extended a double-digit decline in February. Looking ahead, we evaluate the Belt & Road plans for ASEAN that were tabled by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) at China’s recent National People’s Congress.
00:20 - Roundup - Winson Phoon
04:05 - Bank of Indonesia updates - Lee Ju Ye
06:54 - ID trade - Lee Ju Ye
08:12 - SG NODX cut - Chua Hak Bin
10:13 - Belt & Road - Chua Hak Bin
14:28 - Contagion, currency scenarios - Saktiandi Supaat
20:46 - PH banks exposure - Rachellen Rodriguez
23:15 - SG REITs - Krishna Guha
24:30 - Plantation - Ong Chee Ting
Producer

Mar 13, 2023 • 31min
Weekly Briefing: ID Monetary Policy, SVB Collapse, ASEAN ESG Performance
We look into Bank Negara Malaysia’s decision to keep the OPR unchanged at 2.75%, and our expectations of Bank Indonesia’s policy meeting on Thursday. We also assess the potential impact of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank on Malaysia and Singapore banks. We issued a seminal report on sustainability and found that ASEAN companies under our coverage expanded their ESG adoption despite geopolitics and anti-ESG propaganda had hurt ESG flows and performance.
00:25 - Roundup - Winson Phoon
04:13 - MY OPR, inflation - Suhaimi Ilias
08:14 - PH inflation, interest rate - Zamros Dzulkifli
11:03 - TH inflation - Lee Ju Ye
13:24 - ID interest rate - Lee Ju Ye
14:18 - MY banks - Desmond Ch’ng
15:53 - SVB failure on MY - Desmond Ch’ng
17:19 - SG banks downgrade - Thilan Wickramasinghe
19:11 - SVB failure on SG - Thilan Wickramasinghe
20:36 - ESG performance - Neerav Dalal
26:24 - ASEAN strategy - Anand Pathmakanthan
28:33 - MY properties - Wong Wei Sum
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Mar 6, 2023 • 34min
Weekly Briefing: Sustainable Bonds, VN Headwinds, China’s National People’s Congress
As latest data shows that inflation in the US remains elevated while China is focused on growth, our analysts dissect its implications on ASEAN economies and earnings. We also watch for China’s National People’s Congress this week, as well as headwinds slowing Vietnam’s GDP growth as a result of bond defaults.
00:26 – Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias
04:55 - ID interest rate - Lee Ju Ye
06:15 - ID earnings repatriation - Lee Ju Ye
08:04 - TH external trade - Lee Ju Ye
09:42 - VN GDP - Brian Lee
15:35 - Sustainable bonds - Mun Yi Se Tho
18:45 - USD outlook - Saktiandi Supaat
21:46 - China NPC - Saktiandi Supaat
23:56 - ASEAN 4Q earnings - Anand Pathmakanthan
26:22 - MY banking - Desmond Ch’ng
28:56 - PH banking - Rachellen Rodriguez
30:45 - MY EV, Tesla - TJ Liaw
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Feb 27, 2023 • 25min
Weekly Briefing: Peter To Paul Budget For Malaysia
Our analysts discuss Malaysia's retabled Budget 2023 and its implications on the economy, bonds and equities.
00:15 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin
02:27 - MY Budget 2023 - Suhaimi Ilias
10:51 - MY bond markets - Winson Phoon
15:31 - MY equities - Anand Pathmakanthan
18:14 - ASEAN equities - Anand Pathmakanthan
19:22 - VN property bond defaults - Anand Pathmakanthan
21:21 - MY inflation - Zamros Dzulkifli
24:13 - SG inflation - Chua Hak Bin
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG