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
4 Highly Important Reforms Malaysia Needs to Combat Corruption
The All-Party Parliamentary Group of Malaysia on Integrity, Governance, and Anti-Corruption (APPGM-IGAR) is once again calling on the government to enhance…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
KKB Post-Election Analysis: Unity Government Becoming More Popular?
Pakatan Harapan retained its Kuala Kubu Bharu state seat at the by-elections which took place over the weekend. Before the elections, many pundits predicted…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What’s Politics #14: Students Fight Back For Palestine!
Last Sunday, the Zionist state of Israel voted to shut down Al Jazeera in the country, immediately ordering the closure of its offices and a ban on the…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Care Economy: What Can Malaysia Learn From Australia?
In 2020, Malaysia became an ageing society – in other words, people are living longer and having less babies. On a separate but related note, women’s…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
RSF Press Freedom Index: Why is Malaysia Ranked So Low?
Malaysia dropped 34 places in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom rankings placing us at 107 out of 180 countries listed. For the first…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Affirmative Action in South Africa & Malaysia: What Can We Learn?
South Africans celebrate “Freedom Day” every April 27, commemorating the country’s first democratic election in 1994. It also marked the official end of racial…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Kuala Kubu Bharu Constituency Voting Trends
The Kuala Kubu Bharu by-elections will be held on the 11th of May. This comes at the heels of the unfortunate passing of KKB incumbent ADUN, Lee Kee Hiong from…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Bersih Urges Government to Reform Electoral Processes!
Bersih is urging the government of Malaysia to reform aspects of the Election Commission and the Elections Offences Act 1954 to ensure that the independence…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Why Are Right-Wing Movements in Germany on the Rise?
Right-wing parties are gaining traction and strength all over Europe. Germany is no different, where a far-right party called Alternative for Germany (AfD) is…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Unpacking the Israel-Iran Conflict
On the 1st of April, there was a deadly strike by Israel on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria. Iranian military commander, Major General Mohammad Reza…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Orang Kita #1: The Malays Are More Politically Diverse Than You Think
When discussing Malaysian politics, there is a tendency by many to look at “The Malays” as a singular block. On the one hand, there is a penchant for some to…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Malaysian Worker vs US Government
In what appears to be a massive blow to the rights of Malaysian workers, The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Malaysia's Industrial Court cannot hear the…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Is Malaysia Progressing on the Human Rights Front?
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) has released its 2023 human rights report. In this episode, we take a look at the various human rights violations that have…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What’s Politics #13 - Maintaining Hope in Dark Times
Growing up, we read about the Holocaust and the Nazis and we think “How did people of that generation ever let this happen?” “How did the world stand and…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Cruel Citizenship Amendments: Where Are We, What Next?
For months, the Malaysian Citizenship Rights Alliance (MCRA), constitutional experts and more have been pushing back against many of the proposed amendments by…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Important Considerations for Malaysia’s Progressive Wage Policy
The government of Malaysia will be launching the Progressive Wage Policy voluntary pilot programme in June. The policy draws inspiration from Singapore’s…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
The Klang Valley Needs 7000 Buses Yesterday!
The Greater Klang Valley is a wonderfully diverse city of 8 million people and growing. And if there’s one thing the millions of people share is our…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Public Service Reform: From Pensions to EPF – Good Move?
The government of Malaysia has announced its intention to abolish the popular pension system for future civil service recruits and switch to retirement funds…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What Should the New Minimum Wage Be?
The Human Resource Minister, Steven Sim has announced that the government will review the minimum wage this year in accordance with the National Wages…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Do Rohingyas Have a Place in Myanmar’s Revolution?
There is a revolution ongoing in Myanmar. The people of Myanmar of various political ideologies and regions are engaging in civil disobedience and have also…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Is Bersatu on a Decline?
Bersatu has been on the news a lot lately largely because there have been many MPs from Bersatu who are now pledging support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
45 Mins With: Prof Venkatesh Athreya on the US Empire, Neoliberalism and Multipolarity
Our global political economy is going through some massive changes. Many experts have said that we could be witnessing the slow decline of the US & Western…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What’s Politics 12# - Rethinking the Media
For there to be a proper functioning democracy, we need a proper functioning media system – one that’s focused on the democratisation of ideas and robust…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Rev Munther Isaac: “It’s As If Palestinian and Arab Christians Don’t Exist.”
Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac is a Palestinian Christian Theologian, academic and activist. He has written extensively on issues related to theology and politics in…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
International Women’s Day 2024: How Do We Reduce the Gender Pay Gap?
In Malaysia, for every RM 100 in wages received by men, women only receive RM 66. This is according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) Gender…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
MBPJ Councillor Kusaaliny on Social Democracy and Racial Politics
24-year-old Kusaaliny Mahendran from the DAP, is one of the youngest councillors of Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). Kusha who comes from incredibly humble…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Invisible Citizens: The Gender & Class Dynamics of Statelessness
The Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution has said that the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution on citizenship matters will be presented to…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Sarawak, From Under the Shadow of Taib Mahmud
Last week, in light of the passing of Taib Mahmud, we discussed the legacy of the Sarawakian strongman and how his policies shaped Sarawak over the years, for…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What’s Politics #11 - Rich Got Richer, Poor Got Poorer
The inequality between the haves and have-nots, has reached unprecedented levels. According to OxFam, a global organization that fights inequality to end…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Public Transportation Beyond the Klang Valley: Are We on the Right Track?
In December we did a show called Public Transport in the Klang Valley: Are We on the Right Track? In that episode, we took a look at our transit network in…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What Does Prabowo’s Victory Mean For Indonesian Democracy & Working Class?
72-Year-Old Prabowo Subianto of the Gerinda party will be the new President of Indonesia, after defeating Ganjar Pranowo of PDI-P, and Anies Baswedan…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Taib Mahmud: The Legacy of Sarawak’s Strongman
Former Sarawak governor Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud has passed away. He was 87 years old when he died in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Taib…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Who’s Winning the Israel-Palestine War?
Over the past few months, the Zionist regime of Israel has been carrying out a cruel campaign of bombardment and genocide against Palestinians in the city of…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024: Things to Lookout For
The Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024, themed “Positive, Progressive, Innovative” will be taking place from the 29th of February to the 2nd of March. It is…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Real-Life Abang Adiks Are in Grave Danger!
Real-life Abang Adiks are potentially in grave danger, as the government of Malaysia looks to make a bundle of highly regressive and immoral amendments to our…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
SEA Watch: Indonesia 2024 Elections - All You Need to Know
The people of Indonesia – the world’s third largest democracy – will be heading to the polls tomorrow, the 14th of February. The three main presidential…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
The Political Fallout of the Najib Drama
Last week, the Pardons Board decided to halve corrupt former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s prison sentence. It was an anxiety-riddled week, filled with…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What’s Politics #10 - US Media’s Deceitful Coverage of ICJ Gaza Case
Recently, the world watched South Africa take Israel to the International Court of Justice for the genocidal acts Israel committed in Gaza. After hearing…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
45 Mins With: Ahmet Kuru on Why the Muslim World is Authoritarian & Underdeveloped
When we look at the “Muslim World” – particularly, but not limited to the Middle East – there are many countries which exhibit high levels of authoritarianism…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What Powers Does the King Have in a Constitutional Monarchy?
The Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has been sworn in as the 17th Agong, for a five-year term. His deputy is Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak. In light of…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Understanding the Process of Deglobalisation in Malaysia
We live in a globalised society. The world has gotten smaller, especially over the past 30-40 years. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic. Borders were closed for a…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What’s Politics #9 - Neocolonialism, We Are Still Colonised Today
What's Politics is a series where we explore and break down political concepts and ideas. In this episode, we discuss a concept called neocolonialism. Malaysia…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Malaysia’s Incomplete Revolution
Why are our economic narratives often convoluted and incohesive? Malaysia is a capitalist country, but why do some economists say we don't have a cohesive…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Why Are Migrant Workers Always Arrested, But Never the Employers?
The Malaysian economy relies on the sweat and toil of migrant workers. Yet, every so often, there will be news about migrant workers who are exploited –…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Who’s MACC Investigating and Why?
Several investigations are being carried out by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) right now into various high-profile individuals. One of which…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
South Africa Takes Israel to Court. What Does It Mean?
South Africa, the nation that fought and dismantled Apartheid in their backyard has once again emerged as a country that we should learn from, as they have…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Rethinking Our Care Economy Philosophy
The care economy is something that we need to take seriously, especially since we’re becoming an ageing nation. But are we on the right track? Not quite, says…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What’s Politics #8 - Anticipating 2024: Palestine, US Elections, China
What's Politics is a series where we delve into political concepts, ideas, and questions and explore how they impact all of us. It’s the new year. So, in this…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
SEA Watch: The Revolution in Myanmar
It’s been close to 3 years now since the military coup in Myanmar that took place in February 2021. A lot has happened since then. Immediately after the coup…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What Reforms Should Kerajaan Madani Implement in 2024?
It’s the new year! On today’s episode, we reflect on the year that was 2023 and discuss the kind of reforms Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Madani…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Why East Malaysia Should Not Be Allocated 1/3 Parliamentary Seats
Redelineation is a constitutional process of drawing electoral boundaries to ensure that the value of one’s vote is equal irrespective of our geographic and…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
How Transnational Capital Enslaves Us
Malaysia is becoming increasingly polarised across racial and religious lines. And while the culture wars dominate political discourse, inequality is on the…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Here’s How We Can Abolish PTPTN Loans and Make Tertiary Education Free
Education is a fundamental human right and should be free, or at least highly affordable for everyone. Unfortunately, the reality on the ground is that…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Public Transport in the Klang Valley: Are We on the Right Track?
There are many different aspects and types of trains in our expanding Transit System in KL and the greater Klang Valley – LRT, MRT, KTM, to name a few. But why…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Can the Progressive Wage Model Solve Malaysia’s Low-Income Problem?
If there’s one thing Malaysians can agree on is that wages in this country have been pretty abysmal. We have a shrinking middle class, 35% of working people in…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Peace & Justice For Palestine Under the Shadow of the US Empire
The temporary ceasefire in Gaza has ended. Israel has continued its process of genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. In the first 24 hours…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
What’s Politics #7 - Neoliberalism and the Commodification of Human Needs
What's Politics is a series where we delve into political concepts, ideas, and questions and explore how they impact all of us. If you’ve listened to this show…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Key Takeaways From PKR’s 2023 Congress
Last weekend, PKR held their annual national party congress. This was the second PKR congress held after Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim became Prime Minister (the…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
Right-Wing Populism on the Rise: Can Socialism Be the Remedy?
Apart from small pockets around the world, there is no denying that “The Left” or socialist movements are losing. Big time. The world is becoming increasingly…
- Beyond the Ballot Box
1 Year of Malaysia Madani: Did the Reformists Reform the System?
It’s been about a year since Anwar Ibrahim became the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia. Since taking office, the Prime Minister has promised to weed out…