BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Beyond The Ballot Box  >  Corruption Inc. Unpacking the Political-GLC Complex

Corruption Inc. Unpacking the Political-GLC Complex

Edmund Terence Gomez, Author, Misgovernance

25-Mar-25 15:00

Corruption Inc. Unpacking the Political-GLC Complex

Over the years, especially since the 1MDB scandal, Malaysians have become more familiar with the term ‘corruption.’ Not only have we broadened our understanding of it (no longer do we think it’s just about bribery), it has also become part of mainstream political discourse. 

Malaysians know that our country has an entrenched problem of corruption and that it is holding us back, eating us from the inside and eroding our trust in the system.

But just how deep is the rot? How does it manifest in ways beyond the obvious headlines of high-profile arrests? Why is it so challenging to reform the system? 

In this episode, we’re joined by Edmund Terence Gomez, author of an insightful book titled Misgovernance: Grand Corruption in Malaysia. It offers an in-depth examination of the perverse entanglement of politics and business in Malaysia through something called the “Political-GLC Complex.” Unlike broad critiques that dismiss GLCs outright, Gomez looks at the intricate ways in which they are run in Malaysia and how specific policies and practices have turned an idea with egalitarian objectives into a vehicle for power and patronage.

Produced by: Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Dashran Yohan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  politicscorruptiongovernment

Tags:  the bigger picturebeyond the ballot boxpolitical glc complexglc1mdbLCScorruptionpatronage





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Kenneth Loh, Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the outlook for the shipping sector in light of conflict in the Middle East.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Captain Mohd Radzi Mohamad Alias of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) discusses how US-Iran military attacks are disrupting aviation and what it means for flight safety.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Julia Lau of the ISEAS and Muhammad Haziq Jani of the RSIS share insights on Indonesia’s political and economic trajectory under President Prabowo Subianto.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Sharon Zollner, Chief Economist of ANZ Bank New Zealand, discusses the New Zealand's economy and its impact and implications.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Oh Ei Sun, Principal Adviser of Pacific Research Centre, discusses the unfolding Malaysian political events.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Kenneth Loh, Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence discusses the outlook for the shipping sector in light of conflict in the Middle East.

9:35 AM

BBC The Inquiry

Can the world catch China in the rare earths race?

10:05 AM

Open For Business

When AI Becomes the Search Engine. As AI-powered interfaces reshape how people search for information, the rules of digital marketing are shifting. We speak with Alvin Koay, Founder and CEO of Growth.pro, a Penang-based agency helping brands move beyond traditional keyword-based SEO toward AI-driven visibility. Alvin explains the idea behind AI Citation Engineering, how Growth.pro helps brands become sources that AI systems reference directly, and how this approach translates into measurable results for clients in a rapidly evolving search landscape.

11:00 AM

Marketing Mojo

Has PR Earned Its Seat at the Table? PR teams are under pressure to prove ROI, yet many still rely on traditional metrics. Mimrah Mahmood of Meltwater talks about leadership alignment, AI’s impact, and whether PR in APAC is ready to move from activity to outcomes.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

1. Alun Jones, Project Director of Montgomery Asia (organiser of ICBS 2026) 2. Koh Wei Yang, General Manager of Barista Guild Awards

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille (REPEAT)

Julia Lau of the ISEAS and Muhammad Haziq Jani of the RSIS share insights on Indonesia’s political and economic trajectory under President Prabowo Subianto.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

4:05 PM

Health & Living

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Talkback Tuesday