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

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.

Can Malaysia Implement Universal Basic Income?

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

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

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

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 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.

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?&nbsp;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.

Can Malaysia Implement Universal Basic Income?

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