Beyond the Ballot Box

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Beyond the Ballot Box

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we have in-depth conversations about political economy and human rights in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and around the globe through a class prism.

  1. 11 HR. AGO

    Farmlands & Financial Hubs: How Land Use Shapes Voting Patterns in Malaysia

    Everyone knows that politics in Malaysia is highly racialised. What’s usually missing from the discourse is how there is an aspect of class, material conditions and even land use that intertwines and even anchors racial politics. For example, did you know that people in areas with higher industrial and commercial activities tend to vote for Pakatan Harapan, while those residing in less developed or agricultural land tend to vote for Perikatan Nasional? This is especially pronounced in the Penang state. We speak to Aziff Azuddin who recently penned an article for The Star highlighting exactly that. Aziff has been researching the politics of Malay youths for quite some time now. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  2. OCT 29

    Can Malaysia Implement Universal Basic Income?

    Ask around and many will tell you that the biggest problem Malaysians face is wages. Wages in Malaysia have been stagnant for more than a couple of decades now. Inequality is on the rise. So, what could be a solution? What if it’s a Universal Basic Income? In this episode, we speak to some researchers who are pushing for universal basic income in Malaysia, namely Dr Sarath Davala, John Michael and Lee Seng Kiat from the Basic Income Earth Network, as well as Prof Geoffrey Williams, Economist and Director of Williams Business Consultancy. The four of them recently produced a paper on what a universal basic income could look like in Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min

  3. OCT 24

    Does Budget 2025 Address the Needs of Caregivers?

    Last Friday, the MADANI government unveiled the RM 421 billion Budget 2025, up from the RM 393.8 billion budget tabled at the end of last year. The big positive is that this isn’t an austerity budget by any stretch of the imagination. The government is spending. But does this budget address the care economy? How much does it address the needs of caregivers and the care industry? We speak to Lee Min Hui, a gender consultant at the United Nations Population Fund Malaysia. This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min

  4. OCT 22

    Does Budget 2025 Address the Needs of the Working Class?

    Last Friday, the MADANI government unveiled the RM 421 billion Budget 2025, up from the RM 393.8 billion budget tabled at the end of last year. The question is: Does the budget address the needs of the working class, particularly the B40 and the middle class?  We speak to Arveent Kathirchelvan, Central Committee Member, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM). This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  5. OCT 17

    How Should Budget 2025 Address the Needs of the Marhaen

    With the rising cost of living, unaffordable housing, rising inequality and stagnating wages, Malaysians face mounting challenges. This is especially true if you’re working class, even if you’re middle class.  Since the tabling of Budget 2025 is just around the corner, on today’s episode, we take a look at what needs to be addressed in the upcoming budget to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots.  We speak to three labour rights activists, Adrian Pereira of North South Initiative, J. Solomon of National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) and Alex Ong of Migrant Care. This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    46 min

  6. OCT 15

    Budget 2025: Achieving Gender Equality

    Malaysia’s labour force participation rate among females has plateaued at around 55% for many years now, while the male labour force participation rate is more than 80%. But why is this the case and what can we do about it? With the tabling of Budget 2025 around the corner, on today’s episode, we will be talking about what Budget 2025 can do to address gender disparities in the Malaysian workforce. We ask Anis Farid from Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) and Abinaya Dhivya from the Gender Budget Group, for their Budget 2025 wishlists. Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min

  7. OCT 10

    What Do Women With Family Members on Death Row Go Through?

    The death penalty not only impacts those on death row, but their families as well, causing emotional, psychological and economic strain as they navigate the uncertainties and stigma surrounding their loved ones’ fates. Malaysia has abolished the mandatory death penalty but the death penalty remains in its discretionary form.  We speak to Hayati Mohamad, a founder of Pertubuhan Keluarga Kasih (KeKasih) and a family member of someone on death row, Norlia, also a member of KeKasih, and Tham Jia Vern, Research Lead of HAYAT. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  8. OCT 8

    One Year of Genocide in Gaza

    It’s been a year since Palestinian resistance fighters, led by Hamas, broke through the siege of Gaza and the beginning of the ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza by Israel. More than 41 000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel – which is 1 out of every 55 people. Hospitals have been bombed. Mosques and schools too. According to reports, more than 120 journalists have been killed. Israel doesn’t seem interested in stopping these attacks. In fact, they have only expanded their military campaign to other areas of the region, including bombing Lebanon, killing civilians in the process. So, where are we right now and what can we expect moving forward? Joining us to discuss is Muslim Imran, Founding Director, Asia Middle East Center for Research & Dialogue (AMEC). Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
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About

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we have in-depth conversations about political economy and human rights in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and around the globe through a class prism.

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