Combatting Rampant Corruption - Can Malaysia Move from Political Upheaval to Progressive Change?

Ever since its independence from British rule in 1957 Malaysia’s development has been remarkable – politically as well as economically. The Southeast Asian country has not only enjoyed rapid economic expansion in the last couple of decades, but its government was also internationally hailed for its handling of the financial crisis in 1997. Due to its well-established infrastructure and the high educational level, Malaysia gained a lot of importance for international investors.

However, under the leadership of Najib Razak, Malaysia’s former prime minister, the country has been marred by corruption scandals, cronyism, and questionable governance. When the extent of the 1MDB scandal was brought to light by journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown and countless informants, a huge opposition also formed within the population and culminated in Najib Razak being voted out of office in 2018. In May 2018, 94-year old Mahathir Mohamad, who already ruled Malaysia from 1981 until 2003, returned to the Prime Minister’s office.

In conversation with Manfred Rist, foreign correspondent for Southeast Asia of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Clare Rewcastle Brown and political scientist Bridget Welsh will discuss the impact of corruption on Malaysia’s politics.

This event is hosted in collaboration with Neue Zürcher Zeitung.