Shows / Beyond the Ballot Box
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.
Episodes
- Beyond the Ballot Box
MADANI Government: Yay or nay?
It's been almost four years since the MADANI government formed after the 2022 General Election. As we know, while Pakatan Harapan won the most seats, no…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What Can We Learn From Indonesia’s Development Policies?
For decades, many developing countries have relied on exporting raw materials to drive economic growth. But when countries export commodities without…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Why is Voting Important?
Voting is often seen as the cornerstone of democracy, giving ordinary people a say in who governs them and the direction their country takes. But what does it…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Gender Gap Report 2026 - Women are Highly Educated but Severely Underrepresented
Since 2006, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report has measured how far countries have come in closing the gaps between men and women across four…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Will Ideology Help Us Navigate the Problems of the 21st Century?
We live in a world grappling with growing inequality, political polarisation, a climate crisis and rapid technological change. From socialism and liberalism to…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Does Budget 2027 Address the Needs of Regular Malaysians?
Last Friday, the MADANI government unveiled Budget 2027, proposing RM459.8 billion in spending for the year ahead, up from the revised RM444.1 billion for…
Beyond the Ballot BoxMaking Sense of the Rise of Far-Right Movements Globally
Over the past decade or so far-right parties and leaders have moved from the fringes to the forefront of global politics. Figures like Donald Trump, Marine Le…
Beyond the Ballot BoxWhat Do Malaysian Indians Need From Budget 2027?
Budget 2027 will be tabled in Parliament this Friday. In the lead-up to it, former Klang MP Charles Santiago who also runs the think tank Monitoring…
Beyond the Ballot BoxWorld War III, Climate Crisis, AI: Is the World on the Brink of Collapse?
We’re living through a period of enormous uncertainty. Great power tensions are rising, from the US and China to Russia and Europe. The climate is warming…
Beyond the Ballot BoxHow Unpaid Care Work Is Becoming a Foreign Policy Issue
Across Asia-Pacific, women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care work. The situation is becoming increasingly challenging as societies…
Beyond the Ballot BoxWhat Would an Alternative Economic System Look Like?
Red Tiger: Practical Socialism in Malaysia is a new book by Arveent Kathirtchelvan. In it he argues that Malaysia's problems aren't simply the result of bad…
Beyond the Ballot BoxWhat Would Socialism Look Like in Malaysia?
Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Like much of the world, it is also a nation-state deeply embedded in the global capitalist…
Beyond the Ballot BoxOnes to Watch #12 - Youth, Political Parties and GE-16
It's a wrap! The Ones to Watch series has heard the journey and stories of 10 young politicians wanting to make Malaysia a better place. To discuss how youth…
Beyond the Ballot BoxSabah: A History of Struggle, Identity and Resistance
Nadira Ilana is a Sabahan filmmaker, activist and storyteller. Born and raised in Sabah, she has spent years documenting stories that often sit outside the…
Beyond the Ballot BoxOnes to Watch #11 - How do young politicians learn the ropes?
Every minister in Putrajaya has a private secretary, a press officer, and a special officer. Many of these officers go on to become politicians themselves. To…
Beyond the Ballot BoxASEAN in a Multipolar World
The global order is shifting, with the dominance of the US being challenged by a rising China and a more multipolar world taking shape. For Southeast Asia…
Beyond the Ballot BoxOnes to Watch #10 - Where are youth in Sarawakian politics?
The Sarawak State Assembly is predicted to be dissolved this year, paving way for the 13th Sarawak general elections. Amidst the talk of seats and the…
Beyond the Ballot BoxReading History Through Letters
Sepucuk Surat, Sebuah Episod is a new book by Raja Ahmad Aminullah, a writer, poet and cultural activist. The book documents a particular episode from around…
Beyond the Ballot BoxOnes to Watch #9 - Can Muslim youth usher in progressive politics?
In an increasingly fragmented political space where identity politics rule, what do progressives need to do in order to win? We speak to Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda…
Beyond the Ballot BoxOnes to Watch #8 - Can youth revive a party?
The Malaysian Indian Congress won all four seats it contested in the recent Johor elections, with its youngest newly minted ADUN only 29 years old. For a party…
Beyond the Ballot BoxWhy We Need to Move Towards a Wellbeing Economy
Since the end of World War II, but particularly since the end of the cold war, much of the world has used GDP or Gross Domestic Product to measure economic…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Ones to Watch #7 - How do youth persevere in politics?
Most youth who run for elections will lose their first try. Why do some candidates keep trying, while some others exit politics? We speak to Rashifa Aljunied…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Could ‘Solidarity’ Be the Antidote to Identity Politics?
Following a series of electoral defeats in Sabah, Johor and most recently Negeri Sembilan, questions are being asked about the future and direction of Pakatan…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Ones to Watch #6 - Can Student Activists become Good Politicians?
Our student movements have fed our parties for generations, from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of UM and ABIM to Adam Adli, who now sits in Cabinet. But every…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Lessons From Anthony Loke’s Defeat in Chennah
One of the big stories coming out of Pakatan Harapan’s defeat in the recent Negeri Sembilan state elections is the loss of DAP’s secretary general, Anthony…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Ones to Watch #5 - How Do Youth Rise Within a Party?
How does a youth member rise to leadership within a political party? What is the ladder? Who holds it? And how long is the climb? We speak to Azman Azeez, Exco…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Why Providing Free Breakfast in Schools Should Be a National Priority
The Selangor state government has announced a free breakfast programme for schoolchildren, which is scheduled to begin in August. It is aimed at ensuring…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Title: Ones to Watch #4 - City Councillorship as a Stepping Stone for Politicians?
City councillors are the unsung champions of local politics, covering a wide range of jurisdictions such as infrastructure and development. Is serving the…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
PSM Keeps Losing Elections. So Why Do They Still Contest?
Gandipan Nantha Gopalan, Central Committee Member, Parti Sosialis Malaysia Description: Socialism has been gaining renewed attention around the world. In the…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Ones to Watch #3 - Is Going Viral a Pathway into Politics?
A social media arena can make or break a political party’s success in modern elections. However, is going viral enough to make a breakthrough in Malaysian…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Understanding Kuala Lumpur and the Forces That Shaped It
Reluctant Capital: Essays on Kuala Lumpur is a new book which explores how KL and the Klang Valley has grown into a modern capital while grappling with deep…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Ones to Watch #2 - What Motivates Young Politicians?
The average age of members of Parliament in Malaysia is a staggering 52.4 years old. So, why would young people want to join politics? What motivates them? In…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
How Will Johor Transform Over the Next Decade?
We're just a few days away from the Johor state election on the 11th of July. As Johor positions itself to become one of Malaysia's most important economic…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Ones to Watch #1: UNDI 18, Buyers Regret?
1.2 million youth became eligible voters when Malaysia lowered the voting age to 18 in 2019. As Malaysia enters another season of elections, are youth ready to…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What Explains Malaysia’s Long-Standing Low Wage Problem?
The big perennial problem in Malaysia is wages. A lot of Malaysians today feel they're working harder but not getting ahead—they're either experiencing…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Why Malaysia Needs a More Robust Refugee Framework
According to UNHCR, there are about 117 million asylum seekers worldwide as of 2025. In Malaysia, approximately 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers are…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Is Liberalism Fading? What Comes Next?
Since the end of World War II, the world has been underpinned by a particular global economic system: Liberalism. This has solidified further since the end of…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
The Big Political and Economic Challenges Facing Malaysia
Many Malaysians are familiar with the story of how colonial powers used divide-and-rule policies to reshape Malayan society, creating ethnic and class…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Malaysia’s Death Formula
An extensive new report by the criminal justice system reform NGO Hayat contends that Malaysia’s anti-drug framework has evolved into a system that often…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
The Truth About US and Israel's Relationship With Iran
The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked for a few months now, which has resulted in a global energy crisis. While some hope things will return to the way they…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Does Singapore Need More Democracy?
Dr Chee Soon Juan is one of Singapore’s most prominent opposition politicians and has served as secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) since…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
How International Institutions and Structures Failed Palestine
Saul Takahashi is a Japanese human rights lawyer and academic known for his work on Palestine, international human rights law, and Islamophobia research. He…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kami Orang Sini Juga #8: Does China’s Soft Power Influence Local Chinese Identity & Politics?
Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kami Orang Sini Juga #7: Does the Hindu-Supremacist RSS Exist in Malaysia?
Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kami Orang Sini Juga #6: What Are the Key Priorities of Malaysian-Chinese Youth?
Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kami Orang Sini Juga #5: Why Malaysian-Indians Feel Disconnected from Local Politics?
Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kami Orang Sini Juga #4: Do Young Malaysian-Chinese Care About Politics?
Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kami Orang Sini Juga #3: Do Indians Feel Shortchanged by the Education System?
Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kami Orang Sini Juga #2: How Do Young Malaysian-Chinese Define Identity?
Kami Orang Sini Juga is a new mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kami Orang Sini Juga #1: Exploring the Malaysian-Indian Identity
Kami Orang Sini Juga is a new mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
GEGAR and the Making of a Multicultural Movement Against Imperialism
Gerakan Gabungan Anti-Imperialis or GEGAR is a progressive youth-led movement that aims to build a left-wing, multicultural, and transnational front in…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
The Importance of Celebrating Labour Day
Labour Day is observed every year on the 1st of May. It’s a holiday in most countries around the world and perhaps one of the most important ones. However…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Roshinee Mookaiah on Dilarang Ponteng Parlimen Campaign, Social Media and Fairly OddParents
MPs skipping parliament has long been a problem in Malaysia. It’s not uncommon to turn on the TV to watch a parliamentary sitting and notice droves of empty…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
When Children Are Made Prisoners: A Palestinian Speaks
In April, Palestinians observe two very important days. The first is Palestinian Children’s Day, which takes place on the 5th and was established in 1995 by…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Charles Hector Reflects on Labour Rights and Human Rights in Malaysia Through the Years
Charles Hector is a Malaysian lawyer and prominent human rights advocate known for his long-standing activism on issues such as labour rights, migrant worker…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What if Socrates and Confucius Had a Conversation About Democracy and Justice?
A Dialogue Across Civilisations: The Polis and the People by Tan Wah-Piow is a short work of political philosophy that stages an imagined conversation between…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Here’s the Truth About Racism in Malaysia’s Rental Market
If you’re someone who lives in the Klang Valley or in other major cities in the country, chances are you’re at least somewhat aware that there is racial…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
War, Diplomacy, and the Dollar: Insights from a Former Malaysian Ambassador
Dr Ilango Karuppanan is a former Malaysian diplomat who has witnessed firsthand how war and conflict can shape conditions on the ground, including how…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Why Are Children Getting Detained Under SOSMA?
The Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) has once again come under fire following reports that several minors were detained under its provisions in…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What Role Will Europe Play in Changing Global Order?
The world is changing at a pace few expected. From the ongoing Russia–Ukraine War to the devastation in Gaza Strip and Israel’s broader regional expansion, the…