Episode Details

Former Political Secretary to then–Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Ei Sun OH, shares his honest reflections on what it was really like working inside Malaysia’s seat of power — and why he eventually chose to walk away.

From the early days of 1MDB to the 2018 elections that ended Barisan Nasional’s 61-year rule, Ei Sun opens up about the realities of politics and leadership — and weighs in on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s challenges today, Malaysia’s evolving identity, and what ASEAN’s future might look like amid rising China–U.S. tensions.

We dive into:

💬 What does a political secretary to a prime minister actually do?

🔥 What was the original intention behind 1MDB?

⚖️ Did the 2018 elections truly mark a new era of democracy for Malaysia?

🤝 Are Malaysia and Singapore more like siblings or rivals?

🌏 Can ASEAN really stay neutral between the U.S. and China?

🍜 And finally — who does food better: Malaysia or Singapore?

This episode is a must-watch for anyone curious about politics, leadership, and Southeast Asia’s future.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 — Becoming Najib’s Political Secretary

05:30 — What a Political Secretary Actually Does

08:45 — Inside Najib’s Office & Cabinet Dynamics

10:30 — Working in a Racially Charged Environment

12:30 — The Art of Political Mediation

17:10 — Why Ei Sun Left Government

18:50 — The Original Vision of 1MDB

22:00 — What Malaysia Learned (and Hasn’t) from 1MDB

25:50 — The 2018 Election That Changed Everything

29:30 — Mahathir’s Return at 92

31:30 — Malaysia Under Anwar Ibrahim

33:30 — Reform vs Religion: The Country’s Biggest Tension

36:00 — What Outsiders Misunderstand About Malaysia

38:00 — Malaysia & Singapore: Siblings or Rivals?

44:20 — Can ASEAN Stay Neutral Between the U.S. and China?

55:30 — Advice for Southeast Asian Leaders

58:00 — If You Could Change One Law in Malaysia…

59:40 — Malaysia vs Singapore: Who Does Chicken Rice & Char Kway Teow Better?

👉🏼 Ei Sun OH is currently the Principal Adviser at the Pacific Research Center of Malaysia, a Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, and a Justice of the Peace in Sabah, Malaysia.

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🔗 Connect with Ei Sun OH

👤 LinkedIn: https://my.linkedin.com/in/ei-sun-oh-%E8%83%A1%E9%80%B8%E5%B1%B1-3966206

 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ei_sun_oh/?hl=en 

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ei.sun.oh/ 

🔗 Connect with Nicole Lee

🌐 Website: www.youneverknow.co

👤 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme 

 📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nicoleleethisisme 

 📲 Instagram/Tiktok: @nicoleleethisisme