Asia Economist and CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors

Manu Bhaskaran

Mr. Bhaskaran is a leading Asian economist based in Singapore with more than 30 years of experience in studying economic, political and security issues that shape the business environment in Asia. He co-ordinates the Asian business of Washington DC-based strategic advisory firm, Centennial Group, directing its Asian economic research practice which provides in-depth analysis of macro trends in Asia. He works extensively with investment institutions, government agencies and corporations. Mr. Bhaskaran regularly presents his views on the economic, political and business environment in Asia at business conferences and in-house briefings. He has conducted studies on a wide range of subjects including: consumer finance in Asia; Asian integration; regional and country-specific political and economic outlooks; the Impact of China on Asia; portfolio capital flows in emerging markets, amongst many others. He is as a member of the Regional Advisory Group for Asia and the Pacific of the International Monetary Fund. Mr. Bhaskaran is a regular columnist for The Edge (Singapore) and holds positions in think tanks including being Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS); Vice President of the Economics Society of Singapore, and Council Member of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). Mr. Bhaskaran serves on the boards of CIMB Investment Bank and Japfa Limited.

Asia Economist and CEO

The Economy Punches Well Above Its Weight

Malaysia: Inflation Spike Transitory; More Pressure on Opposition

Wooing of Islamic Party Could Exacerbate Religious Tensions

Malaysia: PM Najib Making Progress in Clearing Way for Victory in Elections – or so It Seems

Centennial Asia Advisors

At Centennial Asia Advisors, we tell it like it is. We have no vested interests, no need for a China wall, and no reason to skew our outlook any other way. With over 30 years experience covering Asia’s political economy, you can be sure our conclusions and analyses are based on the unadulterated facts. Through years of fine-tuning our research methodologies, we deliver a quality of macroeconomic analysis few other houses can match.

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Economic Policy and Strategic Advisors

Macroeconomics

<ul><li>The national budget dispensed numerous handouts and subsidies as the government moves to shore up political support before elections in 2018. Private consumption is expected to be given a lift going forward - a boon for the economy even as household indebtedness remains a salient concern.</li><li>Certain assumptions of the budget were overly optimistic, particularly on the front of revenues which comes on the back of factoring in high growth figures going forward. As such, do not discount the possibility of a revision to the deficit figures at a later date.</li><li>Politically, the budget will likely cement PM Najib’s firm position and dent the opposition’s prospects in GE14 as the government woos the middle-class and rural voters.</li></ul>

The national budget dispensed numerous handouts and subsidies as the government moves to shore up political support before elections in 2018. Private consumption is expected to be given a lift going forward - a boon for the economy even as household indebtedness remains a salient concern.Certain assumptions of the budget were overly optimistic, particularly on the front of revenues which comes on the back of factoring in high growth figures going forward. As such, do not discount the possibility of a revision to the deficit figures at a later date.Politically, the budget will likely cement PM Najib’s firm position and dent the opposition’s prospects in GE14 as the government woos the middle-class and rural voters.

Malaysia Budget 2018: A Buffet of Handouts with a Keen Eye on GE14