Sepucuk Surat, Sebuah Episod is a new book by Raja Ahmad Aminullah, a writer, poet and cultural activist. The book documents a particular episode from around 25 years ago through personal letters, petitions and the writer’s own recollections, involving several prominent Malaysians including Anwar Ibrahim. In this episode, we speak  to Raja Ahmad about the book and why these letters are worth preserving.  

Image Credit: R A Fine Arts

Sepucuk Surat, Sebuah Episod is a new book by Raja Ahmad Aminullah, a writer, poet and cultural activist. The book documents a particular episode from around 25 years ago through personal letters, petitions and the writer’s own recollections, involving several prominent Malaysians including Anwar Ibrahim. In this episode, we speak&nbsp; to Raja Ahmad about the book and why these letters are worth preserving.&nbsp;&nbsp;Image Credit: R A Fine Arts

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.

Reading History Through Letters

Voting is often seen as the cornerstone of democracy, giving ordinary people a say in who governs them and the direction their country takes. But what does it mean to participate in politics beyond casting a ballot every few years? And how much can voting actually change when political parties must navigate coalition politics, competing interests and the realities of governing?

In Malaysia, the 2018 general election showed that votes can bring about historic political change. Yet the years since have also raised questions about the limits of electoral politics, the role of grassroots organising, and whether political parties can offer a compelling vision for the country's future.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Why do we vote, and what gets us interested in politics?

From the Bersih movement and Reformasi to personal experiences with educational inequality, we explore the different experiences that draw people into politics.

How much can voting actually change in a liberal democracy?

The 2018 election showed that voters can bring down a government that has held power for decades. But subsequent political upheavals have also tempered expectations about what a vote can achieve. We discuss whether voting remains a meaningful tool for change, and how we should think about its possibilities and limitations.

Is voting enough, or do we need to organise beyond the ballot box?

From trade unions and grassroots movements to community organisations and political parties, we examine the importance of organising between elections. What can organised groups achieve that individual voters cannot? And what can we learn from PAS's decades of grassroots organising, which helped build a political movement long before the Green Wave became a national talking point?

What actually determines how people vote?

Do voters choose the party that best represents their ideals, the candidate they trust most, or simply the lesser of two evils? We explore the role of political literacy, emotions, fear, charisma and personal relationships in shaping voting decisions. 

What makes a good politician: principles or pragmatism?

Should we judge politicians by their ideological convictions and willingness to stand by their principles, or by their ability to negotiate, build coalitions and deliver results? As Malaysia's political landscape becomes increasingly fragmented, we discuss the tension between holding the line on political ideals and making the compromises necessary to govern.

How do political parties build trust and offer a compelling vision?

People may want better healthcare, more affordable housing, walkable cities and protection from flooding without necessarily seeing how these everyday concerns connect to electoral politics. 

Can Malaysian politics move beyond identity and moral superiority?

As political competition increasingly revolves around questions of identity and which side is more morally righteous, we consider whether parties should focus more on tangible questions of development, public services and economic wellbeing. 

Reading/watching/listening list:


Don't Think of an Elephant! by George Lakoff [Book]


Sang Kancil: Sang Kancil: A Tale about How Ordinary Malaysians Defied the Odds [Book]

Voting is often seen as the cornerstone of democracy, giving ordinary people a say in who governs them and the direction their country takes. But what does it mean to participate in politics beyond casting a ballot every few years? And how much can voting actually change when political parties must navigate coalition politics, competing interests and the realities of governing?In Malaysia, the 2018 general election showed that votes can bring about historic political change. Yet the years since have also raised questions about the limits of electoral politics, the role of grassroots organising, and whether political parties can offer a compelling vision for the country's future.In this conversation, we discuss:Why do we vote, and what gets us interested in politics?From the Bersih movement and Reformasi to personal experiences with educational inequality, we explore the different experiences that draw people into politics.How much can voting actually change in a liberal democracy?The 2018 election showed that voters can bring down a government that has held power for decades. But subsequent political upheavals have also tempered expectations about what a vote can achieve. We discuss whether voting remains a meaningful tool for change, and how we should think about its possibilities and limitations.Is voting enough, or do we need to organise beyond the ballot box?From trade unions and grassroots movements to community organisations and political parties, we examine the importance of organising between elections. What can organised groups achieve that individual voters cannot? And what can we learn from PAS's decades of grassroots organising, which helped build a political movement long before the Green Wave became a national talking point?What actually determines how people vote?Do voters choose the party that best represents their ideals, the candidate they trust most, or simply the lesser of two evils? We explore the role of political literacy, emotions, fear, charisma and personal relationships in shaping voting decisions. What makes a good politician: principles or pragmatism?Should we judge politicians by their ideological convictions and willingness to stand by their principles, or by their ability to negotiate, build coalitions and deliver results? As Malaysia's political landscape becomes increasingly fragmented, we discuss the tension between holding the line on political ideals and making the compromises necessary to govern.How do political parties build trust and offer a compelling vision?People may want better healthcare, more affordable housing, walkable cities and protection from flooding without necessarily seeing how these everyday concerns connect to electoral politics. Can Malaysian politics move beyond identity and moral superiority?As political competition increasingly revolves around questions of identity and which side is more morally righteous, we consider whether parties should focus more on tangible questions of development, public services and economic wellbeing. Reading/watching/listening list:<ul><li>Don't Think of an Elephant! by George Lakoff [Book]</li><li>Sang Kancil: Sang Kancil: A Tale about How Ordinary Malaysians Defied the Odds [Book]</li></ul>

Why is Voting Important?

Since 2006, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report has measured how far countries have come in closing the gaps between men and women across four areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.

This year marks its 20th edition, covering 145 economies. Among the economies tracked since the very first edition, the overall score has risen from 64.2% to 69.4%, its highest yet. But at this rate, global gender parity is still estimated to be 120 years away.

So, what does this index actually tell us, and what does it leave out? And what does it mean for Malaysia?

In this conversation, I speak to Sivananthi Thanenthiran, who’s the Executive Director of the Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW). 

In this conversation, we focus on:

 • What the Global Gender Gap Index measures, and what it leaves out

 • Why do the Nordic countries and Namibia rank so highly?

 • Why does Malaysia rank below Singapore and Thailand?

 • Why has political parity in East Asia and the Pacific not kept pace with economic progress?

 • Career breaks, care, and the case for parental leave

 • Can AI reproduce existing gender inequality?

Image Credit: Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW) Facebook

Since 2006, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report has measured how far countries have come in closing the gaps between men and women across four areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.This year marks its 20th edition, covering 145 economies. Among the economies tracked since the very first edition, the overall score has risen from 64.2% to 69.4%, its highest yet. But at this rate, global gender parity is still estimated to be 120 years away.So, what does this index actually tell us, and what does it leave out? And what does it mean for Malaysia?In this conversation, I speak to Sivananthi Thanenthiran, who’s the Executive Director of the Asian-Pacific Resource &amp; Research Centre for Women (ARROW).&nbsp;In this conversation, we focus on:&nbsp;• What the Global Gender Gap Index measures, and what it leaves out&nbsp;• Why do the Nordic countries and Namibia rank so highly?&nbsp;• Why does Malaysia rank below Singapore and Thailand?&nbsp;• Why has political parity in East Asia and the Pacific not kept pace with economic progress?&nbsp;• Career breaks, care, and the case for parental leave&nbsp;• Can AI reproduce existing gender inequality?Image Credit: Asian-Pacific Resource &amp; Research Centre for Women (ARROW) Facebook

Gender Gap Report 2026 - Women are Highly Educated but Severely Underrepresented

We live in a world grappling with growing inequality, political polarisation, a climate crisis and rapid technological change. From socialism and liberalism to nationalism, conservatism and fascism, political ideologies offer different explanations for what’s wrong with society and how we might fix it. 

In this episode, we discuss whether ideology is still relevant today and whether it can help us navigate the problems of the 21st century.

In this conversation, we discuss:

Can we ever be non-ideological?

Whether our political and economic choices are always shaped by an underlying set of beliefs and values, even when we claim to be acting pragmatically or staying out of politics. From public healthcare to private insurance, we explore how seemingly practical policy decisions reflect different ideas about how society should work.

Ideology versus pragmatism: Is it a false dichotomy?

Why pragmatism is often presented as the alternative to ideology, and how this framing can make the existing economic order seem natural while alternatives are dismissed as unrealistic. 

Can the ideas of the 20th century solve the problems of the 21st?

From climate change and nuclear conflict to great-power rivalry and artificial intelligence, we explore whether socialism, liberalism, and other established political traditions can help us confront today's existential challenges. Or do we need to move beyond these ideological frameworks to find new ways of understanding and solving our problems?

Can we tackle climate change without tackling inequality?

The climate crisis raises difficult questions about the relationship between human welfare, economic growth and the limits of the planet. We discuss the unequal distribution of responsibility for carbon emissions, the obstacles facing developing countries, and whether public transport, green infrastructure and the redistribution of wealth can help us build a more sustainable future.

Is human equality compatible with planetary survival?

Can we create a more equal world without reproducing the consumption patterns that are driving ecological destruction? We examine the tensions between human development and environmental protection, and whether a different economic system could move us away from endless consumption towards a society organised around public goods and collective needs.

Do we need ideology, or do we need better problem-solving?

As the political centre loses ground and both right-wing populism and democratic socialism gain renewed attention, we consider whether we are entering a new age of ideology. Can political ideas provide a framework for collective action without becoming rigid dogma? And how do we balance long-term political objectives with the practical compromises needed to achieve them?

Reading/watching/listening list:

Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? by Mark Fisher [Book]

Know Your Enemy [Podcast]

Savitri Devi Mukherji — exploring the intellectual journey of the Nazi ideologue and her contradictory combination of animal rights activism, vegetarianism and fascism [Further reading]

Image Credit: Shutterstock

We live in a world grappling with growing inequality, political polarisation, a climate crisis and rapid technological change. From socialism and liberalism to nationalism, conservatism and fascism, political ideologies offer different explanations for what’s wrong with society and how we might fix it.&nbsp;In this episode, we discuss whether ideology is still relevant today and whether it can help us navigate the problems of the 21st century.In this conversation, we discuss:Can we ever be non-ideological?Whether our political and economic choices are always shaped by an underlying set of beliefs and values, even when we claim to be acting pragmatically or staying out of politics. From public healthcare to private insurance, we explore how seemingly practical policy decisions reflect different ideas about how society should work.Ideology versus pragmatism: Is it a false dichotomy?Why pragmatism is often presented as the alternative to ideology, and how this framing can make the existing economic order seem natural while alternatives are dismissed as unrealistic.&nbsp;Can the ideas of the 20th century solve the problems of the 21st?From climate change and nuclear conflict to great-power rivalry and artificial intelligence, we explore whether socialism, liberalism, and other established political traditions can help us confront today's existential challenges. Or do we need to move beyond these ideological frameworks to find new ways of understanding and solving our problems?Can we tackle climate change without tackling inequality?The climate crisis raises difficult questions about the relationship between human welfare, economic growth and the limits of the planet. We discuss the unequal distribution of responsibility for carbon emissions, the obstacles facing developing countries, and whether public transport, green infrastructure and the redistribution of wealth can help us build a more sustainable future.Is human equality compatible with planetary survival?Can we create a more equal world without reproducing the consumption patterns that are driving ecological destruction? We examine the tensions between human development and environmental protection, and whether a different economic system could move us away from endless consumption towards a society organised around public goods and collective needs.Do we need ideology, or do we need better problem-solving?As the political centre loses ground and both right-wing populism and democratic socialism gain renewed attention, we consider whether we are entering a new age of ideology. Can political ideas provide a framework for collective action without becoming rigid dogma? And how do we balance long-term political objectives with the practical compromises needed to achieve them?Reading/watching/listening list:Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? by Mark Fisher [Book]Know Your Enemy [Podcast]Savitri Devi Mukherji — exploring the intellectual journey of the Nazi ideologue and her contradictory combination of animal rights activism, vegetarianism and fascism [Further reading]Image Credit: Shutterstock

Reading History Through Letters

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