Held in Kuala Lumpur on the 14th of May 2025
On 14 May 2025, C4 Center launched Misgovernance: Grand Corruption in Malaysia, a book authored by Professor Emeritus Edmund Terence Gomez. In addition to this launch, C4 Center partnered with the Coalition for Business Integrity (CBI) to co-host a forum that sought to bring the issues of Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to the forefront – with the perceived culture of corruption in the country becoming widespread. This forum worked in tandem with the contents of Misgovernance: Grand Corruption in Malaysia, which attempts to reimagine the meaning of “corruption” in Malaysia. In it, key insights into extensive abuse of power perpetuated by governing elites, who have long taken advantage of Malaysia’s government-linked company (GLC) ecosystem.
Featuring prominently within his writings are multiple accounts of government-business controversies between 1980 and 2023, which tracks the development of a powerful and covert “Political-GLC complex” – controlled ultimately by the Cabinet. This long list of controversies, along with three case studies, elucidates the intimate and illicit connections between governing elites and the businesses under their control.
More than just a simple book launch, this event aimed to generate discourse on the urgent need for reform in Malaysia. Here, a wide range of discussions were held to sound the drum of change in various areas, including the GLC ecosystem, Malaysia’s public institutions, and the private sector. Involved in these discussions were prominent members of politics, civil society, and the private sector, namely:
- YB Wong Chen, Member of Parliament, Subang
- Lim Koon Huan, Partner, Skrine Advocates and Solicitors
- Lee Han Ling, Executive Director, Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI)
- Lim Chee Yoong, Representative, Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies (MCMTC)
- Edwin Ng, Vice President, Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA)
- Cynthia Gabriel, Founding Director, C4 Center
During his session, YB Wong Chen spoke of the challenges in implementing the reform agenda. In particular, he shed light on the difficulties faced by Parliamentarians in attempting to carry out their duties. In that vein, YB Wong called attention to the various reforms needed to bolster the present system, including a transparent asset declaration framework, a robust political financing act, and greater Parliamentary oversight over the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, among others.
The following session saw a total of four panelists, representing the private sector, speak on the topic, “Discussing the Impacts of Grand Corruption on Malaysian SMEs” – which was moderated by Cynthia Gabriel. Even from within the private sector, this group represented a broad range
of interests, namely the legal fraternity, international trade groups, and SMEs.
Lim Koon Huan shared her experience working within the present legal and regulatory framework, highlighting the many ways SMEs are burdened by specific laws. Subsequently, Lee Han Ling provided perspective on the impact of corruption on international trade. Additionally, Lim Chee Yoong and Edwin Ng spoke on the vast challenges faced by Malaysian SMEs due to the culture of corruption that has become prevalent in Malaysia.
It is our hope that in facilitating this conversation, greater collaboration can be achieved in the future through a multi-sectoral approach towards anti-corruption efforts. Only through a combined, collective action can the reform agenda’s aspirations be achieved.
