Last year, several of his funds were among the top-ranking ones in the region. What we are seeing is a cyclical slowdown in many Southeast Asian economies. Some of the countries have been affected by the slump in the electronics sector, especially Singapore and Malaysia, and to a certain extent Thailand. But some of the cyclical problems have come at the right time. Basic economic fundamentals look good all over Southeast Asia.
Inflation is under control.
Current account deficits, though a concern in places like Malaysia and Thailand, are actually improving. The only political risks in the region are the succession issue in Indonesia and the political problems in Thailand. Hopefully Thailand's situation will be sorted out after the elections next month. But markets in Jakarta and Bangkok are so beaten down that fund managers believe the political factors have been discounted and that it's time to look at market fundamentals. All Rights Reserved.