BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Beyond The Ballot Box  >  Inside ASEAN: Myths, Realities, and the Question of Unity

Inside ASEAN: Myths, Realities, and the Question of Unity

Dr Ilango Karuppannan, Former Malaysian Ambassador

21-Oct-25 15:00

Inside ASEAN: Myths, Realities, and the Question of Unity

Southeast Asia is one of the most diverse regions in the world, not just ethnically and culturally but also politically. It’s a region where Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians; democracies, monarchies, and communist states coexist side by side. 

However, since the formation of ASEAN, there have been questions and narratives about its potential split or how it’s doomed to fail. But just how true is that? What are the important nuances concerning ASEAN that people need to be aware of? 

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Ilango Karuppannan, a retired Malaysian Ambassador with 33 years of frontline diplomatic experience. He’s also an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. He runs a YouTube channel called Diplomatify, where he recently posted a video titled Is ASEAN Really Breaking Up — or Just Being Framed That Way?

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:  internationalgovernment

Tags:  Diplomatifythe bigger picturebeyond the ballot boxaseansoutheast asiaasean 2025international relations





Play / Pause

Listen now : BBC World Service

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

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management 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

Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research at ANZ shares his take on Vietnam’s upgrade to emerging market status.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Khair Mirza, Modalis Infrastructure Partners discusses the KLIA aerotrain debacle.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Ooi Can Nix, CEO of THMY Holdings Bhd discusses the company's upcoming listing on the ACE Market, intent for proceeds and diversification into industrial automation.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Goh Cia Yee, Criminal Lawyer discusses juvenile justice frameworks to maintain school safety.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

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

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

Isaac Chow, Senior Equity Analyst with Affin Hwang Investment Bank on limitations of the country's power grid.

9:35 AM

People, Planet, Profit

Mahmood Hisham, COO of DXN Holdings, discusses the company’s ESG efforts and responds to concerns over its private jet purchase.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Shaerfatwa Intannadwah, CEO, Roboshop

11:00 AM

Marketing Mojo

Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, Founder, Sportsintel

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Seth Traum, Partner, Ipsos Strategy3 (US)

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

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

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

4:05 PM

Health & Living

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Tuesday

What was the worst injury you've had, and what was your recovery like?

8:00 PM

BBC World Service