City councillors are the unsung champions of local politics, covering a wide range of jurisdictions such as infrastructure and development. Is serving the community a good first step into national politics for youth? We speak to Nalina Nair, Petaling Jaya City Councillor and Publicity Secretary for DAP Women Selangor on the viability of councillors as a pathway into politics.



Image Credit: Nalina Nair Facebook

City councillors are the unsung champions of local politics, covering a wide range of jurisdictions such as infrastructure and development. Is serving the community a good first step into national politics for youth? We speak to Nalina Nair, Petaling Jaya City Councillor and Publicity Secretary for DAP Women Selangor on the viability of councillors as a pathway into politics.Image Credit: Nalina Nair 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.

Title: Ones to Watch #4 - City Councillorship as a Stepping Stone for Politicians?

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

PSM Keeps Losing Elections. So Why Do They Still Contest?

A social media arena can make or break a political party’s success in modern elections. However, is going viral enough to make a breakthrough in Malaysian politics? Na’Im Brundage, Exco of ARMADA, which is Bersatu’s youth wing and TikTok influencer, shares his journey from content creator to political maverick. 



Image Credit: Na'Im Brundage Facebook

A social media arena can make or break a political party’s success in modern elections. However, is going viral enough to make a breakthrough in Malaysian politics? Na’Im Brundage, Exco of ARMADA, which is Bersatu’s youth wing and TikTok influencer, shares his journey from content creator to political maverick.&nbsp;Image Credit: Na'Im Brundage Facebook

Ones to Watch #3 - Is Going Viral a Pathway into Politics?

Reluctant Capital: Essays on Kuala Lumpur is a new book which explores how KL and the Klang Valley has grown into a modern capital while grappling with deep social, political, and economic tensions. Through a series of essays combining urban theory with on-the-ground research, author Badrul Hisham Ismail examines how neoliberalism, government-controlled development and Malaysia's ethnic politics have shaped the city's landscape and who benefits from it.

In this episode, we speak to Badrul about this book. We’re discuss a whole host of things including shopping malls, gated communities and the indigenous population that was here before most of us.



You can purchase Reluctant Capital: Essays on Kuala Lumpur by clicking here. 



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Reluctant Capital: Essays on Kuala Lumpur is a new book which explores how KL and the Klang Valley has grown into a modern capital while grappling with deep social, political, and economic tensions. Through a series of essays combining urban theory with on-the-ground research, author Badrul Hisham Ismail examines how neoliberalism, government-controlled development and Malaysia's ethnic politics have shaped the city's landscape and who benefits from it.In this episode, we speak to Badrul about this book. We’re discuss a whole host of things including shopping malls, gated communities and the indigenous population that was here before most of us.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://suburbiaprojects.com/products/RELUCTANT-CAPITAL-ESSAYS-ON-KUALA-LUMPUR-p838994003">You can purchase Reluctant Capital: Essays on Kuala Lumpur by clicking here.</a>&nbsp;Image Credit: Shutterstock

Title: Ones to Watch #4 - City Councillorship as a Stepping Stone for Politicians?

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