Gandipan Nantha Gopalan, Central Committee Member, Parti Sosialis Malaysia

Description: Socialism has been gaining renewed attention around the world. In the English-speaking world, figures like Zohran Mamdani in the US and Zack Polanski in the UK have brought socialist ideas back into mainstream political conversations. At the same time, there are growing calls for higher taxes on the wealthy and a fairer redistribution of resources, with voices like Gary Stevenson highlighting the deepening inequalities within modern capitalism. But it isn’t just the Anglosphere. From Spain and France to Brazil and Mexico, socialist and left-wing ideas continue to shape political debates. 

But in Malaysia, that has not been the case. Many mainstream parties, including those that carry social democratic branding, have largely embraced neoliberal ideas. There is, of course, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, which continues to offer a clear alternative centred on class politics. Yet despite decades of organising around issues such as workers’ rights, housing, and inequality, PSM has found it difficult to break through politically, often losing deposits when contesting elections.

So what is the future of socialism in Malaysia? What strategies does the movement need to grow? 

We speak to Gandipan Nantha Gopalan, who’s a Central Committee Member at Parti Sosialis Malaysia.



Image Credit: Gandipan Nantha Gopalan Facebook 

Gandipan Nantha Gopalan, Central Committee Member, Parti Sosialis MalaysiaDescription: Socialism has been gaining renewed attention around the world. In the English-speaking world, figures like Zohran Mamdani in the US and Zack Polanski in the UK have brought socialist ideas back into mainstream political conversations. At the same time, there are growing calls for higher taxes on the wealthy and a fairer redistribution of resources, with voices like Gary Stevenson highlighting the deepening inequalities within modern capitalism. But it isn’t just the Anglosphere. From Spain and France to Brazil and Mexico, socialist and left-wing ideas continue to shape political debates.&nbsp;But in Malaysia, that has not been the case. Many mainstream parties, including those that carry social democratic branding, have largely embraced neoliberal ideas. There is, of course, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, which continues to offer a clear alternative centred on class politics. Yet despite decades of organising around issues such as workers’ rights, housing, and inequality, PSM has found it difficult to break through politically, often losing deposits when contesting elections.So what is the future of socialism in Malaysia? What strategies does the movement need to grow?&nbsp;We speak to Gandipan Nantha Gopalan, who’s a Central Committee Member at Parti Sosialis Malaysia.Image Credit: Gandipan Nantha Gopalan Facebook

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.