With the rising cost of living, unaffordable housing, rising inequality and stagnating wages, Malaysians face mounting challenges. This is especially true if you’re working class, even if you’re middle class. 

Since the tabling of Budget 2025 is just around the corner, on today’s episode, we take a look at what needs to be addressed in the upcoming budget to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots. 

We speak to three labour rights activists, Adrian Pereira of North South Initiative, J. Solomon of National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) and Alex Ong of Migrant Care.



This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.



Image credit: Shutterstock

With the rising cost of living, unaffordable housing, rising inequality and stagnating wages, Malaysians face mounting challenges. This is especially true if you’re working class, even if you’re middle class.&nbsp;Since the tabling of Budget 2025 is just around the corner, on today’s episode, we take a look at what needs to be addressed in the upcoming budget to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots.&nbsp;We speak to three labour rights activists, Adrian Pereira of North South Initiative, J. Solomon of National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) and Alex Ong of Migrant Care.This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.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 Should Budget 2025 Address the Needs of the Marhaen

Media freedom or freedom of the press is something journalists in Malaysia have been grappling with for many decades. For many years, draconian laws have been used to clamp down on journalists and the media. Many have also been arrested. 

While there is no denying that the media has more freedom post-2018 elections and that journalists don’t get arrested as much today as they once did, little has changed in terms of legislation and structure. Draconian laws still exist and can be weaponised. 

Now, advocates for freedom of the press have been pushing for a media council. But what exactly is it, how would it work and what good could come out of it?

We speak to Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre For Independent Journalism (CIJ).



Image credit: Shutterstock

Media freedom or freedom of the press is something journalists in Malaysia have been grappling with for many decades. For many years, draconian laws have been used to clamp down on journalists and the media. Many have also been arrested.&nbsp;While there is no denying that the media has more freedom post-2018 elections and that journalists don’t get arrested as much today as they once did, little has changed in terms of legislation and structure. Draconian laws still exist and can be weaponised.&nbsp;Now, advocates for freedom of the press have been pushing for a media council. But what exactly is it, how would it work and what good could come out of it?We speak to Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre For Independent Journalism (CIJ).Image credit: Shutterstock

Why We Need a Media Council

Malaysia is at an interesting juncture right now. In 2018, Malaysians voted out the Barisan Nasional government that was once thought invincible and had ruled the country since its independence. Then there was a period of political instability since Langkah Sheraton until about a week after GE15. Now, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the helm, things have finally stabilised. 

In an article for The Lowy Institute, Ooi Kok Hin argues that Malaysia’s democratic transition is an important case for Southeast Asia and the Muslim-majority world and that the country has the potential to lead regional democratic discourse during its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship. 

So, what are the opportunities that lie ahead? We speak to Kok Hin.



Image credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia is at an interesting juncture right now. In 2018, Malaysians voted out the Barisan Nasional government that was once thought invincible and had ruled the country since its independence. Then there was a period of political instability since Langkah Sheraton until about a week after GE15. Now, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the helm, things have finally stabilised.&nbsp;In an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/malaysia-s-democratic-transition-why-it-matters-southeast-asia-muslim-world">article for The Lowy Institute</a>, Ooi Kok Hin argues that Malaysia’s democratic transition is an important case for Southeast Asia and the Muslim-majority world and that the country has the potential to lead regional democratic discourse during its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship.&nbsp;So, what are the opportunities that lie ahead? We speak to Kok Hin.Image credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s Democratic Transition Amidst Rising Southeast Asia

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?  

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

In part 2 of this conversation, we discuss:
• How progressives like Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar won their seats despite not endorsing Kamala Harris and Joe Biden
• Is the Obama coalition finished?
• What’s the antidote to right-wing populism?
• What we can expect from Trump 2.0



Click here to listen to part 1. 



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;&nbsp;We speak to Prof Peter Beattie, Political Economist &amp; Political Psychologist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).&nbsp;In part 2 of this conversation, we discuss: • How progressives like Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar won their seats despite not endorsing Kamala Harris and Joe Biden • Is the Obama coalition finished? • What’s the antidote to right-wing populism? • What we can expect from Trump 2.0<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bfm.my/podcast/bigger-picture/beyond-the-ballot-box/how-did-donald-trump-become-president-again-part-1?utm_source=bfmmy&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=web_highlights">Click here to listen to part 1.&nbsp;</a>Image credit: Shutterstock

How Should Budget 2025 Address the Needs of the Marhaen

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