Singapore TV series criticized for defaming Malaysia as scam hotspot

The 20-episode Chinese language series "Highway To Somewhere" that aired on Mediacorp’s Channel 8 and now streams on mewatch depicts a couple traveling to Malaysia and running into a group of Singaporean friends who encounter a scam syndicate during their road trip.

While highlighting popular travel destinations, the series has drawn criticism for the scam subplot, according to Singapore's The Straits Times.

In a Facebook statement published on April 7, the Malaysia Ma-Zhong Tradition Culture Association accused the drama of casting Malaysia in a negative light.

Its founding president, Lee Yong Kwee, warned that such portrayals could reinforce misconceptions among international viewers, particularly the notion that the country is rife with scams, The Star newspaper reported.

Andrew Tan, president of the Malaysia Professional Skill Development Education Association, urged Singaporean authorities to review the series and consider suspending its broadcast.

In an interview with Shin Min Daily News on April 8, screenwriter Ang Eng Tee said he did not intend to portray Malaysia as a scam base. 

The storyline was inspired by real-life reports of cross-border scam syndicates targeting both Malaysians and Singaporeans, he said.

He said the show did not intend to single out Malaysia, noting that the fictional criminal network was led by an overseas figure and that the narrative concludes with the perpetrators being brought to justice.

The broader aim was to raise awareness about the growing prevalence of scams globally, he said.

Filmed over two months across locations such as Ipoh, Kukup and Port Dickson, the series also showcases Malaysia's attractions, including lesser known ones.

Ang pointed out that many viewers responded positively, with some expressing interest in visiting the featured destinations.

In a statement, a spokesperson of Mediacorp said the production had taken care in its depiction of Malaysia and that the storyline was not meant to target any specific country.

Malaysia's tourism sector recorded 42.2 million visitors in 2025, an 11.2% year-on-year increase and 20.4% higher than 2019 benchmarks, making it the most visited country in Southeast Asia.

It received 3.4 million Singaporean visitors in the first two months of 2026, up 9.6% year-on-year and accounting for nearly half of all foreign arrivals.