For decades, Malaysia’s progress has been measured by GDP and economic data. But a new study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) flips the lens to focus on what Malaysians actually dream of. The findings? Financial freedom and mental well-being are now prioritised almost equally, signaling a shift in national sentiment.



Nurlin Mohd Salleh, Head of BCG Malaysia, joins us to unpack the "MY Impian" report. 



She discusses the four key Malaysian archetypes, (from "Harmony Seekers" to "Go-Getters"), the surprisingly humble definition of financial freedom, and why the dominance of well-being-focused aspirations might create a gap with the nation's high-growth economic goals.



We discuss:


Why financial freedom and mental well-being are neck-and-neck as top priorities.


The 4 Malaysian archetypes: Harmony Seekers, Providers, Legacy Makers, & Go-Getters.


Why 60% of the population prioritising well-being could impact national innovation.


The "Go-Getter" Gen Z: Are we doing enough to nurture their ambition?


The gig worker's dilemma: balancing flexibility with a lack of safety nets.

For decades, Malaysia’s progress has been measured by GDP and economic data. But a new study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) flips the lens to focus on what Malaysians actually dream of. The findings? Financial freedom and mental well-being are now prioritised almost equally, signaling a shift in national sentiment.Nurlin Mohd Salleh, Head of BCG Malaysia, joins us to unpack the "MY Impian" report.&nbsp;She discusses the four key Malaysian archetypes, (from "Harmony Seekers" to "Go-Getters"), the surprisingly humble definition of financial freedom, and why the dominance of well-being-focused aspirations might create a gap with the nation's high-growth economic goals.We discuss:<ul><li>Why financial freedom and mental well-being are neck-and-neck as top priorities.</li><li>The 4 Malaysian archetypes: Harmony Seekers, Providers, Legacy Makers, &amp; Go-Getters.</li><li>Why 60% of the population prioritising well-being could impact national innovation.</li><li>The "Go-Getter" Gen Z: Are we doing enough to nurture their ambition?</li><li>The gig worker's dilemma: balancing flexibility with a lack of safety nets.</li></ul>

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Enterprise Explores

What Malaysians Really Want (It's Not Just Money)

Asia is no longer rising in unison. According to Nomura’s latest Asia Macro Outlook 2026: Mind the Gap, a sharp "North-South divide" is emerging, driven by the AI supercycle and shifting supply chains. While tech-heavy economies ride the wave, others risk being left behind.



Euben Paracuelles, Chief ASEAN Economist at Nomura, joins us to unpack this bifurcation. 

He explains why Malaysia is positioned as a clear "winner" with a forecasted 5.2% GDP growth, the potential impact of US transshipment tariffs, and his contrarian prediction that Bank Negara Malaysia may be the only central bank in the region (outside Japan) to hike rates in 2026.



We discuss:


The North-South Divide: Why Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia are decoupling from laggards like Thailand and Indonesia.


The AI Supercycle: Why Nomura believes this is a sustainable structural shift, not a bubble.


The 'Second China Shock': How overcapacity in China is flooding markets with cheap goods and who is most vulnerable.


Malaysia’s Outlook: The catalysts behind the 5.2% growth forecast, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.


A Contrarian Call: Why financial imbalances could trigger a Bank Negara rate hike in late 2026.



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Asia is no longer rising in unison. According to Nomura’s latest Asia Macro Outlook 2026: Mind the Gap, a sharp "North-South divide" is emerging, driven by the AI supercycle and shifting supply chains. While tech-heavy economies ride the wave, others risk being left behind.Euben Paracuelles, Chief ASEAN Economist at Nomura, joins us to unpack this bifurcation.&nbsp;He explains why Malaysia is positioned as a clear "winner" with a forecasted 5.2% GDP growth, the potential impact of US transshipment tariffs, and his contrarian prediction that Bank Negara Malaysia may be the only central bank in the region (outside Japan) to hike rates in 2026.We discuss:<ul><li>The North-South Divide: Why Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia are decoupling from laggards like Thailand and Indonesia.</li><li>The AI Supercycle: Why Nomura believes this is a sustainable structural shift, not a bubble.</li><li>The 'Second China Shock': How overcapacity in China is flooding markets with cheap goods and who is most vulnerable.</li><li>Malaysia’s Outlook: The catalysts behind the 5.2% growth forecast, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.</li><li>A Contrarian Call: Why financial imbalances could trigger a Bank Negara rate hike in late 2026.</li></ul>Image Credit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/integrated-semiconductor-microchip-malaysia-flag-industry-2368446293?trackingId=285f001f-6722-423f-ad85-7ee80b70073f">Shutterstock</a>

The 2026 AI Supercycle: Why Malaysia is “In the Zone”

For years, many companies have treated Southeast Asia as a single, monolithic consumer market. But new research from Milieu Insight reveals a more complex reality: the region is actually split into three distinct "consumer economies," each with its own unique mindset, pressures, and motivations.



CEO Sundip Chahal joins us to unpack the findings of their latest consumer outlook report. He explains the "stressed digital" behavior in markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, the disciplined "strategic comfort" of Singapore and Malaysia, and how a simple question about spending $100 can reveal the financial pulse of an entire nation.



We discuss:


Why Southeast Asia is fragmented into three distinct consumer economies.


The "Stressed Digital" segment: why inflation isn't stopping spending in Indonesia and Vietnam.


The "Strategic Comfort" segment: how Malaysians balance optimism with disciplined value-hunting.


The "$100 Question": a simple pressure test that reveals consumer sentiment.


Why a uniform regional pricing or promotional strategy is destined to fail.

For years, many companies have treated Southeast Asia as a single, monolithic consumer market. But new research from Milieu Insight reveals a more complex reality: the region is actually split into three distinct "consumer economies," each with its own unique mindset, pressures, and motivations.CEO Sundip Chahal joins us to unpack the findings of their latest consumer outlook report. He explains the "stressed digital" behavior in markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, the disciplined "strategic comfort" of Singapore and Malaysia, and how a simple question about spending $100 can reveal the financial pulse of an entire nation.We discuss:<ul><li>Why Southeast Asia is fragmented into three distinct consumer economies.</li><li>The "Stressed Digital" segment: why inflation isn't stopping spending in Indonesia and Vietnam.</li><li>The "Strategic Comfort" segment: how Malaysians balance optimism with disciplined value-hunting.</li><li>The "$100 Question": a simple pressure test that reveals consumer sentiment.</li><li>Why a uniform regional pricing or promotional strategy is destined to fail.</li></ul>

Southeast Asia is Not 1 Consumer Market. Here's Why.

When we talk about global success stories, BYD stands out as the classic underdog. Once dismissed by Elon Musk as “not even in the same league,” it’s now the world’s largest EV maker, a brand that’s not just selling cars, but reshaping how Chinese innovation is perceived around the world. Yet its rise wasn’t only about technology or pricing; it was a masterclass in storytelling. According to new research by CARMA, the global media narrative around BYD was driven by its credibility, its leadership, and its sense of purpose. So what can Asian brands learn from China’s global underdog? Jeremiah Rodrigues, General Manager at CARMA Malaysia joins us to explore all that and more. 

When we talk about global success stories, BYD stands out as the classic underdog. Once dismissed by Elon Musk as “not even in the same league,” it’s now the world’s largest EV maker, a brand that’s not just selling cars, but reshaping how Chinese innovation is perceived around the world. Yet its rise wasn’t only about technology or pricing; it was a masterclass in storytelling. According to new research by CARMA, the global media narrative around BYD was driven by its credibility, its leadership, and its sense of purpose. So what can Asian brands learn from China’s global underdog? Jeremiah Rodrigues, General Manager at CARMA Malaysia joins us to explore all that and more.

What Malaysians Really Want (It's Not Just Money)

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