In October, the Parliament of Malaysia passed controversial amendments to the constitution’s citizenship provisions via a Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024. According to critics, the bill is a case of one step forward, a few unnecessary steps backward. While the bill seeks to grant citizenship to overseas-born children of Malaysian women, it also includes a whole host of regressive amendments which will worsen conditions for other categories of stateless people in Malaysia. This move was the last straw for Yap Xiang, who resigned in protest as vice-chief of PKR’s student wing Mahasiswa Keadilan Malaysia. The student wing had previously rallied with other NGOs against the regressive provisions of the bill outside Parliament in March. Yap Xiang, who’s also a member of Borneo Komrad, joins us in conversation.



Image credit: Shutterstock

In October, the Parliament of Malaysia passed controversial amendments to the constitution’s citizenship provisions via a Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024. According to critics, the bill is a case of one step forward, a few unnecessary steps backward. While the bill seeks to grant citizenship to overseas-born children of Malaysian women, it also includes a whole host of regressive amendments which will worsen conditions for other categories of stateless people in Malaysia. This move was the last straw for Yap Xiang, who resigned in protest as vice-chief of PKR’s student wing Mahasiswa Keadilan Malaysia. The student wing had previously rallied with other NGOs against the regressive provisions of the bill outside Parliament in March. Yap Xiang, who’s also a member of Borneo Komrad, joins us in conversation.Image credit: Shutterstock

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.

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.

Beyond the Ballot Box

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we speak to politicians and analysts and explore burning issues and questions surrounding our fluid and ever-changing political scene.

As they say, democracy doesn't begin and end at the ballot box. On Beyond the Ballot Box, we speak to politicians and analysts and explore burning issues and questions surrounding our fluid and ever-changing political scene.

After Mixed-Bag Bill Passed, What Next For Stateless People?

Donald Trump is once again President of the United States of America. 

He did so by defeating Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris relatively comfortably. Heading to this year’s polls, all eyes were on the seven swing states – Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina. Trump managed to win every single one of these states. Not only that, but he is also the first Republican candidate to win the popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004. 

So, how did he do it? 

I speak to Prof Peter Beattie, Political Economist & Political Psychologist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). 

In part 1 of this conversation, we discuss:
• How the rise of inequality in the US contributes to Trump winning
• Why some of Joe Biden’s progressive policies did not sway voters
• How the media landscape in the US shapes politics
• US government’s backing of Israel’s genocide in Gaza
• If the Democratic Party is too left-wing/progressive



Image credit: Shutterstock

Donald Trump is once again President of the United States of America.&nbsp;He did so by defeating Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris relatively comfortably. Heading to this year’s polls, all eyes were on the seven swing states – Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina. Trump managed to win every single one of these states. Not only that, but he is also the first Republican candidate to win the popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004.&nbsp;So, how did he do it?&nbsp;I speak to Prof Peter Beattie, Political Economist &amp; Political Psychologist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).&nbsp;In part 1 of this conversation, we discuss: • How the rise of inequality in the US contributes to Trump winning • Why some of Joe Biden’s progressive policies did not sway voters • How the media landscape in the US shapes politics • US government’s backing of Israel’s genocide in Gaza • If the Democratic Party is too left-wing/progressiveImage credit: Shutterstock

How Did Donald Trump Become President Again? (Part 1)

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

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

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

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

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

After Mixed-Bag Bill Passed, What Next For Stateless People?

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