Top 5 at 5: What's Next for Anti-Graft Efforts in 2025?

Arief Hamizan, Head of Research and Policy Advocacy, Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism

02-Jan-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: What's Next for Anti-Graft Efforts in 2025?

Pause
Embed

Anti-corruption rallies like “Gempar Rasuah Sabah” and the recent arrest of activist Fahmi Reza signal a fiery start to 2025 for anti-graft activism. Arief Hamizan, head of research and policy advocacy at the Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism, discusses public attitudes toward corruption and the need for government reforms to strengthen accountability.

Other stories we covered:

· A smoker's right to workplace freedom?: Lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdullah has filed a judicial review claiming the federal workplace smoking ban violates his constitutional rights. Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet unpacks the legal grounds for the case, while Prof Dr Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamed, Leader of the Smokefree Sejahtera Campus Community Flagship 3.0 programme at IIUM explains why protecting public health is priority.

· Harimau Malaya’s new era under Rob Friend: Malaysia’s national football team has appointed Rob Friend as its first-ever CEO, aiming to reshape the Football Association of Malaysia and elevate the team's performance. Sports writer T. Avineshwaran dives into what this strategic shift means for the future of Malaysian football and fans’ expectations.

· Deadly South Korean crash raises safety concerns: A Jeju Air jetliner crash at Muan International Airport killed 179 people, making it South Korea’s worst aviation disaster in decades. Aviation consultant Shantanu Gangakhedkar examines the factors behind this and other recent air incidents, exploring public anxiety about flying and the implications for global aviation safety.

· Former Indian PM passes: Manmohan Singh, former prime minister and architect of India's economic liberalization, passed away last week at age 92. We take a look at the statesman's contribution to Malaysia-India ties with insights from Yanitha Meena, an analyst from ISIS Malaysia Yanitha Meena.

Image Credit: Shahjehan, Shutterstock

Produced by: Alia Zefri, Sharaad Kuttan, Lim Sue Ann, Juliet Jacobs, Sudais Ferhard

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan

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

Categories: politics, government, international, corruption, Law/Activism, controversies

Tags: protest rally, Manmohan Singh, workplace freedom, corruption, anti-corruption, smoking, smoking ban, plane crash, aviation sector, harimau malaya, malaysia football,

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

Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP 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

Ken Foong, Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence gives us an outlook for Singapore’s property market.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Lim Wei Jiet, Constitutional Lawyer discusses the urgent reforms needed to strengthen judicial manpower.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Prof. James Chin of the University of Tasmania and Prof. Dr. Evan Lau Poh Hock of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak discuss the political and economic outlook for Sabah and Sarawak in 2026.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Amin Ashaari, CEO & Co-Founder of SoyaCincau, shares his views on government apps.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) We dive into the local and international news that matters to you.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Carlos Casanova, Senior Economist, UBP 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

The Property Show

Dr. Suraya Ismail of Khazanah Research Institute discusses homeownership and housing affordability in Malaysia.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

FeedMe. Restaurants are under pressure like never before like rising costs, staff shortages, shrinking margins, and systems that were never designed for today’s pace of business. We speak with Squall Tan, CEO of FeedMe, about how a simple frustration with slow service and wrong orders led to the creation of a full F&B operating system now used across the region. Squall shares how FeedMe evolved from a homegrown POS into an integrated platform that helps restaurants automate ordering, reduce operational blind spots, and make smarter, data-driven decisions. From why most F&B businesses fail, to how AI is reshaping restaurant operations and what it takes to scale a food-tech company across Asia, this is a discussion on how technology is quietly redefining the F&B industry.

11:00 AM

The Workplace

Fahad Naeem, Country Director, Randstad Malaysia. Malaysia’s job market is moving fast in 2026, with new roles opening up, salaries shifting, and employers competing harder than ever for the right talent. But beneath the activity lies a deeper transformation in how Malaysians choose where and why they work. We speak with Fahad Naeem, Country Director at Randstad Malaysia, about the findings from Randstad’s 2026 Job Market Outlook and Salary Guide, and what they reveal about Malaysia’s push towards a higher-value workforce. From skills shortages and AI-driven role changes, to rising employee confidence and the growing importance of trust, flexibility, and learning opportunities, this conversation explores why pay alone is no longer enough to attract or retain top talent. It’s a timely look at what employers must rethink in 2026 and what professionals should watch for as Malaysia’s workforce enters a new chapter.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Costco vs. Trump. Penta’s Bryan DeAngelis explores why retailers are suing over "Liberation Day" tariffs and if the White House’s domestic capital is waning. Plus, has the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela rewritten the power dynamic between D.C. and the Private Sector?

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

We find out about a Semai fruit season homestay finally opening to the public, supported by Gerimis Art, sharing forest life, culture, and community-led ecotourism.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

UMMC performed a liver transplant that saved the life of a four-month-old baby. The surgical team shares the harrowing experience.

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

Big Issue

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

We learn about KL Car Free Morning- a weekly community initiative that opens KL streets up to the public.

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor, dsf.my

PROGRAMMES