The European Union Parliamentary Elections took place from the 6th - 9th of June and saw far-right parties make big gains. The mainstream centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) maintained the most seats of any single group in the legislative body, but the far-right ultra-conservatives have now almost one-quarter of the total seats.  

So, how did this happen, and what does it mean for the future?



Image Credit: Shutterstock

The European Union Parliamentary Elections took place from the 6th - 9th of June and saw far-right parties make big gains. The mainstream centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) maintained the most seats of any single group in the legislative body, but the far-right ultra-conservatives have now almost one-quarter of the total seats.&nbsp;&nbsp;So, how did this happen, and what does it mean for the future?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.

How Did the Right-Wing Make Big Gains in the EU Parliament

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is a global grassroots movement aiming to end Gaza's blockade, address the humanitarian crisis, and support Palestinian rights. And they do so, interestingly… by sailing!

In this episode, we speak with James Godfrey, visiting from Australia, who volunteers on the international steering committee for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. 

The latest FFC missions are preparing to sail to Gaza in the coming weeks. One is a small boat which is stopping in European and Mediterranean ports on the way. The other mission is three ships - two cruise boats carrying hundreds of participants, including approximately 20 Malaysians, and one cargo ship carrying 5,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid.

To keep up to date on both Freedom Flotilla missions and follow the Malaysian participants sailing to Gaza follow Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) socials on Instagram (mycare.hq) and their telegram channel (MyCARE). All the relevant information and links will be in the podcast description.



Image Credit: Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is a global grassroots movement aiming to end Gaza's blockade, address the humanitarian crisis, and support Palestinian rights. And they do so, interestingly… by sailing!In this episode, we speak with James Godfrey, visiting from Australia, who volunteers on the international steering committee for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.&nbsp;The latest FFC missions are preparing to sail to Gaza in the coming weeks. One is a small boat which is stopping in European and Mediterranean ports on the way. The other mission is three ships - two cruise boats carrying hundreds of participants, including approximately 20 Malaysians, and one cargo ship carrying 5,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid.To keep up to date on both Freedom Flotilla missions and follow the Malaysian participants sailing to Gaza follow Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE) socials on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/mycare.hq/?hl=en">Instagram (mycare.hq)</a> and their telegram channel (MyCARE). All the relevant information and links will be in the podcast description.Image Credit: Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)

Freedom Flotilla Coalition: Sailing For Palestine

Recently, the Bajau Laut community in Semporna, Sabah were evicted from their homes by authorities. The Indigenous stateless population saw their stilt and boathouses demolished and burned down, leaving them with nothing and nowhere to go. 

So, why was this done? Is it because of national and state security, a reason so often given by the political elites? Well, a few days after the eviction, news broke that a 21-acre Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) land in Kampung Air, Semporna will be turned into a RM478 million township, to meet tourist demands. 

So, what does peace and justice for the Bajau Laut community look like?

We speak to Wan Shakila Adiela Wan Azmi, Member of Borneo Komrad. Borneo Komrad is an initiative organization of students and young people from Sabah to build social advocacy such as education, culture and human rights. They run a school called 'Sekolah Alternatif' to empower Bajau Laut children and teenagers. 

Recently, the Bajau Laut community in Semporna, Sabah were evicted from their homes by authorities. The Indigenous stateless population saw their stilt and boathouses demolished and burned down, leaving them with nothing and nowhere to go. So, why was this done? Is it because of national and state security, a reason so often given by the political elites? Well, a few days after the eviction, news broke that a 21-acre Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) land in Kampung Air, Semporna will be turned into a RM478 million township, to meet tourist demands. So, what does peace and justice for the Bajau Laut community look like?We speak to Wan Shakila Adiela Wan Azmi, Member of Borneo Komrad. Borneo Komrad is an initiative organization of students and young people from Sabah to build social advocacy such as education, culture and human rights. They run a school called 'Sekolah Alternatif' to empower Bajau Laut children and teenagers.

Who Are the Bajau Laut and Why Destroy Their Houses?

There are about 189,340 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia. These are only the ones registered under UNHCR, which means the actual figure is likely much, much higher. And it’s only going to go up in the near future, given the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, genocide in Gaza and conflicts on the rise in various parts of the world. 

The question is, what can and should we do about it?

We speak to Dr Melati Nungsari, Associate Professor of Economics and the Deputy Dean of Research, Asia School of Business. Dr Melati has done plenty of research on refugee rights. The Asia School of Business & UNHCR also recently held a conference on Refugee Studies and Forced Displacement.

There are about 189,340 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia. These are only the ones registered under UNHCR, which means the actual figure is likely much, much higher. And it’s only going to go up in the near future, given the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, genocide in Gaza and conflicts on the rise in various parts of the world. The question is, what can and should we do about it?We speak to Dr Melati Nungsari, Associate Professor of Economics and the Deputy Dean of Research, Asia School of Business. Dr Melati has done plenty of research on refugee rights. The Asia School of Business &amp; UNHCR also recently held a conference on Refugee Studies and Forced Displacement.

How Did the Right-Wing Make Big Gains in the EU Parliament

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