
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

Nov 1, 2022 • 35min
Exploring Sustainable Values: EP2 - Leading with Good Intentions
The second episode of our series 'Exploring Sustainable Values' aims to explore and understand the role of leaders when it comes to leading a value-based organisation. We spoke to Dr. Aamir A. Rehman, founder of Fajr Capital where he provides insights on the struggles, barriers and attributes that makeup a leader when implementing sustainability values.

Oct 31, 2022 • 30min
Weekly Briefing: Dualism In SG, Future Rate Hike In VN, ASEAN Downgrades
Our analysts review what’s going on in the region - will there be a stagflation in Singapore, can we anticipate more interest rate hikes in Vietnam following two jumbo ones, and how should we get more defensive in ASEAN as central banks further tighten.
00:24 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias
04:38 - SG stagflation? - Chua Hak Bin
09:20 - VN interest rate - Brian Lee
12:56 - TH outlook - Lee Ju Ye
15:06 - USD outlook - Saktiandi Supaat
20:51 - ASEAN downgrades - Anand Pathmakanthan
24:38 - ID retail, neutral - Willy Goutama
27:19 - PH REITs - Miguel Sevidal
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Oct 25, 2022 • 35min
Weekly Briefing: What A Third Term For Xi And China's Re-Opening Mean For ASEAN?
The Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Congress came to a close on Sunday, and President Xi Jinping extended a rare third term as the Party’s leader. We discuss the economic outlook for China and its impact on ASEAN in the event of a re-opening, and if the USD has peaked.
00:26 - Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias
04:25 - China - Chua Hak Bin
11:28 - ID macro - Lee Ju Ye
14:43 - VN Dong, reserves, rates - Brian Lee
19:25 - USD view - Saktiandi Supaat
24:15 - Currency support - Andi
26:00 - MYR view - Andi
28:04 - TRUE-DTAC - Wasu Mattanapotchanart
32:05 - TH ESG - Suttatip Peerasub
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Oct 18, 2022 • 27min
Exploring Sustainable Values: EP1 - What is the relationship and convergence between Islamic Finance & Sustainability?
The first episode of our series 'Exploring Islamic Values' aims to introduce the uninitiated to the world of sustainability, Islamic Finance, and the relationship between the two fields. We spoke to the general public to understand their point of view and address any misconceptions they might have.

Oct 17, 2022 • 32min
Weekly Briefing: Cautious Bias Ahead Of Malaysia General Elections
Malaysia’s upcoming General Elections will be the most exciting with multi cornered fights, and a 40% jump in new voters, mainly the young. Meanwhile Singapore avoided a technical recession but inflation risk remains elevated and another tightening is forecasted. Over at the best performing equity market in ASEAN, Indonesia, our analysts recommend to take profit now.
MY GE Scenario 1 win: UMNO-led BN but short of a simple majority of 112.
Scenario 2: UMNO-led BN secure better than simple majority.
Scenario 3: Anwar-led PH or in some form of a bigger Opposition alliance.
Scenario 4: Unchartered waters with a new coalition government.
00:26 - Roundup - Winson Phoon
04:26 - MY GE scenarios - Suhaimi Ilias
11:23 - MY monetary policy - Suhaimi
12:14 - MY equities - Wong Chew Hann
18:05 - MY aviation - Yin Shao Yang
20:57 - SG economy - Chua Hak Bin
23:54 - ASEAN markets - Anand Pathmakanthan
26:20 - CPO price - Ong Chee Ting
29:50 - PH sugar - Daphne Sze
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Oct 11, 2022 • 29min
Weekly Briefing: Malaysia’s Budgeting - Like Dieting, Is Hard
Our analysts round up their thoughts on Malaysia’s Budget 2023 record spending of RM372 bil in view of the Prime Minister announcing a dissolution of Parliament and the general elections to be held within 60 days.
00:25 - Intro - Ong Seng Yeow
00:58 - USD support - Saktiandi Supaat
03:29 - Plaza Accord 2.0? - Andi
05:58 - MY Budget 2023 - Suhaimi Ilias
09:46 - Oil price, politics - Liaw Thong Jung
13:27 - MY fuel subsidies - Suhaimi
15:26 - MY Budget picks - Anand Pathmakanthan
21:53 - MY debt, ratings - Se Tho Mun Yi
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Oct 3, 2022 • 31min
Weekly Briefing: Pounding Markets, Opportunities in Fixed Income, ID & PH Equities, MY ESG Stocks
Amid relentless selloff in the markets, our analysts discuss the opportunities in fixed income, Indonesian and Philippines equities, and “must haves” in a Malaysian ESG stock portfolio that offers low ESG risks balanced with core business diversity.
00:20: Roundup - Suhaimi Ilias
04:32 - SG recession - Chua Hak Bin
09:27 - TH interest rate - Lee Ju Ye
12:09 - TH elections - Ju Ye
14:16 - VN GDP - Brian Lee
16:41 - VN Dong - Brian
18:25 - Fixed income - Winson Phoon
22:35 - MY ESG stocks - Anand Pathmakanthan
26:20 - ID equities - Jeff Chenlim
28:37 - PH equities - Jacqui de Jesus
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Sep 26, 2022 • 33min
Weekly Briefing: Sleepless In US, Insomnia in ASEAN?
Central banks in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam have raised interest rates higher than expected to fight inflation and manage the currency. Our economists consider the impact on economic growth including a look ahead into Malaysia’s Budget 2023 and the possibility of a technical recession in Singapore while the Sing dollar remains a safe haven currency. We also review the uptick in Singapore’s medical tourism, and Malaysia’s new automotive roadmap.
00:33 - Roundup - Winson Phoon
03:45 - Fed hike - Suhaimi Ilias
05:36 - MY Budget 2023 - Suhaimi
12:25 - ID interest rate - Lee Ju Ye
14:49 - PH interest rate - Zamros Dzulkafli
17:39 - VN interest rate - Brian Lee
21:04 - SG inflation, SGD - Chua Hak Bin
24:24 - USD, Yen, Pound, SGD - Saktiandi Supaat
27:53 - SG Medical tourism - Eric Ong
29:25 - MY auto roadmap, EVs - Liaw Thong Jung
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Sep 19, 2022 • 25min
Weekly Briefing: Expected Reactions To FOMC’s Decision This Week
Our analysts assess how ASEAN markets would react to the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) huge decision on Wednesday if it raises the interest rate by 75 or 100 basis points.
00:20 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin
03:13 - ID growth, inflation - Lee Ju Ye
06:17 - ASEAN markets - Anand Pathmakanthan
11:07 - ASEAN bond yields - Winson Phoon
15:25 - RMB - Saktiandi Supaat
18:35 - UK Budget, Pound - Saktiandi
20:50 - Palm oil prices - Ong Chee Ting
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG

Sep 12, 2022 • 25min
Weekly Briefing: MY Budget, China RMB, CCP, PH Conglos, VN Policy Catalysts
How many more interest rate hikes could we expect from Bank Negara Malaysia following the third hike last week? And what can we expect from Malaysia’s Budget 2023? We also unpack our ASEAN X report on China and the direction of the Renminbi (RMB) and which ASEAN currency is most sensitive to a RMB sell-off, and what the Chinese Communist Party might focus on at its Congress on the 16th of October.
00:37 - Roundup - Chua Hak Bin
03:02 - MY OPR - Suhaimi Ilias
05:41 - MY Budget - Suhaimi
08:12 - RMB - Saktiandi Supaat
11:16 - CCP meeting - Fiona Lim
13:52 - ASEAN currencies vs RMB sell-off - Saktiandi
15:06 - PH inflation - Zamros Dzulkafli
17:42 - PH conglomerates - Jacqui de Jesus
19:12 - PH telcos downgrade - Rachelleen Rodriguez
21:13 - VN policy catalysts, picks - Hoang Huy
Producer: Noelle Lim, Maybank IBG