Top 5 at 5: Can China Be The Partner That ASEAN Needs?
Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow, East Asia at the Lowy Institute
17-Apr-25 17:00

Embed Podcast
You can share this podcast by copying this HTML to your clipboard and pasting into your blog or web page.
Close
We're continuing our coverage of China President Xi Jinping's 3 day visit to Malaysia this week, as part of his tour of three South East Asian countries. Today, we take a look at whether China can live up to its rhetoric of cooperation, and its dynamics with ASEAN countries.
Other stories we covered:
• Syed Saddiq's graft case appeal resumes: The Court of Appeal has resumed hearings for Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman’s appeal against his 2023 conviction on four charges, including abetment in criminal breach of trust and money laundering. BFM news correspondence Yovinka Devi talks to us about the courtroom atmosphere. We also hear from lawyer Kee Shu Min about the defense strategy.
• Ulu Baram tragedy sparks infrastructure debate: The fatal sweep of a family’s vehicle in Sungai Sengayan highlights poor infrastructure in Sarawak's interior, where hazardous logging roads remain a painful reminder of neglect. SAVE Rivers' Managing Director Celine Lim joins us to comment.
• US Health Secretary autism cure sparks controversy: Robert F Kennedy Jr’s pledge to uncover the causes of autism by September has drawn backlash from healthcare professionals and advocacy groups, who label the plan as “harmful and unrealistic.” We hear thoughts from line consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan.
• National flag error sparks investigations: Sin Chew Daily's Jalur Gemilang illustration, missing its crescent, has sparked public outcry. The Home Ministry and PDRM are investigating, amidst discussions about press freedom and responsible media oversight. We get into it.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Produced by: Alia Zefri, Sharaad Kuttan, Sneha Harikannan, Juliet Jacobs, Lim Sue Ann, 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: markets, economy, technology, managing, politics, government, international, environment, corruption, Law/Activism, education, controversies, History/Heritage, culture, managing disease, wellness, Family/Parenting, property
Tags: malaysia visit, asean-china, breach of trust, ulu baram, sungai sengayan, sarawak infrastructure, rfk jr, autism cure, neurological disorder, malaysian flag, ai flag, xi jinping, malaysia-china, syed saddiq, money laundering, jalur gemilang, sin chew daily, fahmi fadzil,