S2E70: 'Corporate mafia’: The scandal that Malaysia can no longer ignore episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 23, 2026 · 39 MIN

S2E70: 'Corporate mafia’: The scandal that Malaysia can no longer ignore

from Asian Insider · host SPH Media

From drink-driving to MACC scandal, is Malaysia's justice system bending to public pressure or finally getting serious? Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus. For our April episode, ST's Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Zurairi A.R. are joined by Latheefa Koya, executive director of Lawyers for Liberty and former chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Highlights (click/tap above): 3:10 Spate of fatal drink-driving crashes sparking a national debate: Why did one Klang case change everything? 5:44 Does this mask a deeper racial and class divide in Malaysian society? 8:26 Is a murder charge for drink-driving legally sound – or is the Attorney General bowing to public pressure? 12:57 Malaysia's road safety debate: Does the Islamic "diyat" mechanism have any place? 14:17 How can an anti-corruption body be weaponised as corporate mafia – and what powers make that possible? 20:41 MACC parading suspects in orange shirts: Does the humiliation tactic actually achieve anything? 25:15 Is PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's expected non-renewal of MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki a genuine reckoning – or just the bare minimum? 35:11 News nugget opinion: What 'energy-wasting' habit our guests absolutely refuse to give up, no matter what the authorities say? Read more: Malaysians are again up in arms over drink-driving, but this time it's for a different reason: https://str.sg/e3Gz  Why Malaysia PM Anwar's invoking a 'Zionist bogeyman' and a plot to topple the government: https://str.sg/rSwE  What fuel crisis? Why Malaysians are losing patience with their leaders' mileage: https://str.sg/H4H3  Read Zurairi A.R.’s articles: https://str.sg/DCfr  Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK  Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz  Host: Zurairi A.R. ([email protected])   Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   Feedback to: [email protected]  --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX  --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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S2E70: 'Corporate mafia’: The scandal that Malaysia can no longer ignore

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