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 : Enterprise Explores: XP Ng, CEO, Academy of Artificial Intelligence, shares about Agentic...

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

Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer, Jevons Global 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

Michael Cucek of Temple University Japan Campus analyzes the outcome of Japan’s election and what it means for the country’s political future.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Varun Mittal, Founder of FinTech Nation, explains stablecoin and crypto.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Lim Cheong Guan, Managing Director of Top Glove Corporation Bhd talks about whether the company is on the path to recovery, competition against Chinese players, impact of US tariffs and more.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Greg Raymond, Senior Lecturer, Australian National University (ANU) talks about the results of Thailand's general election.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Jayant Menon (Visiting Senior Fellow), ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, discusses the changes that follow the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer, Jevons Global tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

Pinnacle Perspectives

Jalil Rasheed, former Managing Director for Asia Pacific at the Tony Blair Institute, discusses leadership and its success criteria.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Michelle Chin, HerDuit

11:05 AM

P&L

Received a CP500 letter from LHDN demanding tax instalments beyond your monthly PCB? TraTax’s Renganathan Kannan breaks down the 2026 penalty waiver (and who it actually applies to) and why freelancers, gig workers, landlords, and content creators might be filing the wrong tax forms.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

XP Ng, CEO, Academy of Artificial Intelligence, shares about Agentic AI, how it promises systems that do not just generate responses, but execute real business tasks. Yet new data shows that only around 5 percent of enterprise AI agent projects have made it into production, with most stuck in prolonged pilot phases due to poor data, siloed organisations, and unclear governance.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Lim Cheong Guan, Managing Director of Top Glove Corporation Bhd talks about whether the company is on the path to recovery, competition against Chinese players, impact of US tariffs and more.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

Raids, corruption probes and an import ban have put Malaysia’s e-waste trade in focus. Researcher Wong Pui Yi explains what’s happening, and what comes next.

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

Today I Learned

Who Is Ahead in The Cyberwarfare Race?

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

8:00 PM

A Bit of Culture