In conjunction with World Wetlands Day on 2 February, we celebrate how biophilia—human’s innate tendency to connect with nature—led two individuals to make conservation their lifelong career: Irshad Mobarak, Langkawi-based naturalist at Junglewalla, and former Maybanker; and Dr A Aldrie Amir, Head of the Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability Research Centre, under LESTARI at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. They talk about their passion, what must be done to save coastal wetlands or mangroves, adding their views about carbon offset mechanisms to fund regeneration. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim Crested serpent eagle sound credit: Rejoice Gassah, XC461263. Accessible at xeno-canto.org/461263

Tunku Alizakri Alias, former CEO of EPF, and now Chairman of MAVCAP (Malaysia Venture Capital Management), and independent director of several boards, discusses the difficulties of change and persuading boards of directors to make sustainability-first a business imperative. He says the differences are mainly generational. How can the gap be bridged? This is his first interview since leaving EPF close to a year ago. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

The VN Index has risen close to 32% over the last 12 months buoyed by peak retail trading. Maybank expects the index will hit 1,800. What will continue to drive the Vietnamese markets in the longer-term? What are the downside risks, top investment picks, and the government’s plans to ease foreign investments? Quan Trong Thanh, our Head of Research in Vietnam discusses. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Presenting our Monday insights to prepare investors for the week ahead before the Lunar New Year. 04:25 - Bank Indonesia signals - Lee Ju Ye 07:26 - Bank Negara Malaysia signals - Suhaimi Ilias 11:25 - China rate cuts, bond markets - Winson Phoon 15:05 - USD, RMB, IDR, MYR outlook - Saktiandi Supaat 18:00 - ASEAN strategy picks - Anand Pathmakanthan 21:40 - Philippines strategy - Jacqui de Jesus 24:10 - Malaysia aviation - Samuel Yin Shao Yang 27:08 - Thai tourism - Yuwanee Prommaporn Producer: Noelle Lim

Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Research in Singapore discusses potential re-rating catalysts for Singapore equities led by 3Rs—rising rates, re-opening, and restructuring—and also considers ESG risks and decarbonisation costs. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Singapore tech hardware stocks like AEM, UMS and Frencken are expected to sustain earnings growth and are still trading at attractive valuations - a proposition for investors looking for both value and growth in the tech sector. Lai Gene Lih, our Analyst, presents his case, and also discusses SEA Ltd’s prospects and if a semiconductor glut is around the corner. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

In today’s Briefing, we bring you up to date on global news as the US Federal Reserve shifts to a more hawkish tone, and what to look out for in Singapore’s upcoming Budget, and property outlook in Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, and CPO prices and production output. Commentators: Suhaimi Ilias, Chua Hak Bin, Thilan Wickramasinghe, Vanida Geisler, Miguel Sevidal, Wong Wei Sum, Jesada Techahusdin, Ong Chee Ting Producer: Noelle Lim

What is ahead for the Water Tiger year? Here is a fengshui forecast for the Malaysian stock market and the economy by Kenny Hoo, Fengshui Master. He discusses the good and bad months, favourable sectors, disasters and illnesses, and the general elections. Producer & presenter: Noelle Lim

Maybank IBG has created 24 model portfolios to guide retail investors in picking stocks that match their risk-return profile and market outlook. We speak to portfolio strategists, Ong Seng Yeow and Chan Han Chin on how these portfolios are constructed, and how investors can position themselves in this market cycle in 2022. Presenter & Producer: Noelle Lim

The first Monday call of 2022 with our economists and analysts on investment themes including sustainability, what will repeat and change from 2021, and actionable ideas across key markets in ASEAN. Commentators: Suhaimi Ilias, Chua Hak Bin, Maria Lapiz, Thanh Quan Trong, Kaushal Ladha, Liaw Thong Jung, Ong Chee Ting, Tan Chi Wei Producer: Noelle Lim