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

As Elections Loom, Political Temperature Heats Up

Malaysian Elections: Prime Minister Najib’s to Lose

Malaysia GE14 Update (1): Polling Date, Crown Prince Wades into the Debate, Dr M in Langkawi

Opposition Finally Brings Down the Curtain on Squabbling

Malaysia: General Elections Are Now the Focus

Wooing of Islamic Party Could Exacerbate Religious Tensions

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.

Centennial Asia Advisors is an independent research and advisory firm that works with governments, multilateral institutions, financial firms and leading MNCs.

Economic Policy and Strategic Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Political risks edge up as the general election nears<ul><li>As the window for the 14th General Elections narrows (GE14) rapidly, we identify several swing factors that will have a huge bearing on the election results. First, a lot depends on whether a new-look opposition under Mahathir can energise the Malay electorate. Second, East Malaysia will be the kingmakers in GE14 particularly as both Sabah and Sarawak are responsible for a third of BN’s seats in parliament. Third, voter disillusion and three-way fights will weigh on the Opposition’s prospects in unseating BN.</li><li>We envision three potential scenarios from GE14: <ul><li>1) BN could improve on its seat tally from 2013 which could prompt a disintegration of the opposition coalition;</li><li>2) BN emerges with an even slimmer majority while remaining the largest party in parliament, paving the way for a hung parliament; and</li><li>3) The last scenario conceives of an outright victory by the Opposition as it breaks BN’s stranglehold on Malaysian politics.</li></ul></li></ul>

Political risks edge up as the general election nearsAs the window for the 14th General Elections narrows (GE14) rapidly, we identify several swing factors that will have a huge bearing on the election results. First, a lot depends on whether a new-look opposition under Mahathir can energise the Malay electorate. Second, East Malaysia will be the kingmakers in GE14 particularly as both Sabah and Sarawak are responsible for a third of BN’s seats in parliament. Third, voter disillusion and three-way fights will weigh on the Opposition’s prospects in unseating BN.We envision three potential scenarios from GE14: 1) BN could improve on its seat tally from 2013 which could prompt a disintegration of the opposition coalition;2) BN emerges with an even slimmer majority while remaining the largest party in parliament, paving the way for a hung parliament; and3) The last scenario conceives of an outright victory by the Opposition as it breaks BN’s stranglehold on Malaysian politics.

Malaysia: Political Scenarios for GE14