We're just a few days away from the Johor state election on the 11th of July. As Johor positions itself to become one of Malaysia's most important economic engines, with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone aiming to attract major investments and high-value industries, questions are also being asked about who stands to benefit from that growth. 

Will these investments translate into better wages, better jobs and higher living standards for ordinary Johoreans, or will the gains be unevenly shared? So, on the road to the elections, we discuss Johor's political-economic trajectory, and what kind of future the state is really building, with Dr Francis Hutchinson, Principal Fellow & Coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. 


Image Credit: Shutterstock

We're just a few days away from the Johor state election on the 11th of July. As Johor positions itself to become one of Malaysia's most important economic engines, with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone aiming to attract major investments and high-value industries, questions are also being asked about who stands to benefit from that growth.&nbsp;Will these investments translate into better wages, better jobs and higher living standards for ordinary Johoreans, or will the gains be unevenly shared? So, on the road to the elections, we discuss Johor's political-economic trajectory, and what kind of future the state is really building, with Dr Francis Hutchinson, Principal Fellow &amp; Coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.&nbsp; 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 Will Johor Transform Over the Next Decade?

1.2 million youth became eligible voters when Malaysia lowered the voting age to 18 in 2019. As Malaysia enters another season of elections, are youth ready to step up to participate in national politics? Nurul Rifayah, a youth activist and Ahmed Faris, CEO of Impact Integrated, walk us through reflections on the past four years of youth in politics.

1.2 million youth became eligible voters when Malaysia lowered the voting age to 18 in 2019. As Malaysia enters another season of elections, are youth ready to step up to participate in national politics? Nurul Rifayah, a youth activist and Ahmed Faris, CEO of Impact Integrated, walk us through reflections on the past four years of youth in politics.

Ones to Watch #1: UNDI 18, Buyers Regret?

The big perennial problem in Malaysia is wages. A lot of Malaysians today feel they're working harder but not getting ahead—they're either experiencing stagnant incomes or finding themselves worse off than the generation before—because wages remain stubbornly low. Despite years of economic growth, many households continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, raising fundamental questions about whether the benefits of that growth are being shared fairly. So, what’s the deal with wages in Malaysia?

In this episode, we unpack this topic with Dr Matthew Dornan, Senior Economist at the World Bank. The World Bank has recently produced a study called Raising the Ceiling, Raising the Floor: The Jobs Agenda as a Productivity Agenda for Malaysia. 


Image Credit: Shutterstock

The big perennial problem in Malaysia is wages. A lot of Malaysians today feel they're working harder but not getting ahead—they're either experiencing stagnant incomes or finding themselves worse off than the generation before—because wages remain stubbornly low. Despite years of economic growth, many households continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, raising fundamental questions about whether the benefits of that growth are being shared fairly. So, what’s the deal with wages in Malaysia?In this episode, we unpack this topic with Dr Matthew Dornan, Senior Economist at the World Bank. The World Bank has recently produced a study called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/malaysia/publication/raising-the-ceiling-raising-the-floor-the-jobs-agenda-as-a-productivity-agenda-for-malaysia">Raising the Ceiling, Raising the Floor: The Jobs Agenda as a Productivity Agenda for Malaysia.</a>&nbsp; Image Credit: Shutterstock

What Explains Malaysia’s Long-Standing Low Wage Problem?

According to UNHCR, there are about 117 million asylum seekers worldwide as of 2025. In Malaysia, approximately 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers are registered with UNHCR, with estimates suggesting the actual number may be significantly higher. In past interviews, we’ve talked extensively about some of the challenges faced by refugees. 

The truth is, whether we “like” them or not, so long as people in parts of the world are getting bombed, ethnically cleansed and facing severe persecution, there will be refugees. And they will go wherever that makes the most sense geographically and logistically, for safety. 

In this episode, we explore a few angles, including why there’s been a rise of anti-Rohingya sentiment in recent weeks, if refugees are a strain to public services and whether the new DPP – Dokumen Pendaftaran Pelarian or Refugee Registration Document – by the government is a step in the right direction. 

We speak to Aira Azhari, CEO, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS). 


Recommended reading: 

The Economic Impact of Granting Refugees in Malaysia the Right to Work. 




Image Credit: Shutterstock

According to UNHCR, there are about 117 million asylum seekers worldwide as of 2025. In Malaysia, approximately 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers are registered with UNHCR, with estimates suggesting the actual number may be significantly higher. In past interviews, we’ve talked extensively about some of the challenges faced by refugees.&nbsp;The truth is, whether we “like” them or not, so long as people in parts of the world are getting bombed, ethnically cleansed and facing severe persecution, there will be refugees. And they will go wherever that makes the most sense geographically and logistically, for safety.&nbsp;In this episode, we explore a few angles, including why there’s been a rise of anti-Rohingya sentiment in recent weeks, if refugees are a strain to public services and whether the new DPP – Dokumen Pendaftaran Pelarian or Refugee Registration Document – by the government is a step in the right direction.&nbsp;We speak to Aira Azhari, CEO, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS).&nbsp; Recommended reading:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ideas.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/P60_Refugee-V6.pdf">The Economic Impact of Granting Refugees in Malaysia the Right to Work.&nbsp;</a> Image Credit: Shutterstock

How Will Johor Transform Over the Next Decade?

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