Charles Hector is a Malaysian lawyer and prominent human rights advocate known for his long-standing activism on issues such as labour rights, migrant worker protection, and campaigning against the abolition of the ISA back in the day. He’s also been closely associated with civil society groups like Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET), frequently speaking out on legal, political, and justice-related matters in Malaysia, sometimes facing legal challenges for his advocacy work. We speak to Charles about his journey as an activist and how he thinks about the state of labour rights in Malaysia today.

Image Credits: Charles Hector Facebook

Charles Hector is a Malaysian lawyer and prominent human rights advocate known for his long-standing activism on issues such as labour rights, migrant worker protection, and campaigning against the abolition of the ISA back in the day. He’s also been closely associated with civil society groups like Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET), frequently speaking out on legal, political, and justice-related matters in Malaysia, sometimes facing legal challenges for his advocacy work. We speak to Charles about his journey as an activist and how he thinks about the state of labour rights in Malaysia today. Image Credits: Charles Hector 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.

Charles Hector Reflects on Labour Rights and Human Rights in Malaysia Through the Years

Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity, belonging, and their place in Malaysia today. It builds on IMAN’s earlier project, Orang Kita, which focused on Malay Muslim youth.



In the 8th and final episode, we explore the rise of China as a global powerhouse and whether its soft power is shaping the identity and political views of young, local Chinese. We also interrogate whether its soft power is any different from how Hong Kong and Taiwan captured the imagination of Malaysian-Chinese back in the 80s-2000s, or how the English-speaking community is often shaped by American pop culture and politics.



We speak to Liew Liang Hong, Researcher, IMAN Research. 


Listen to the rest of the episodes of the series here.



And if you missed it, we previously covered IMAN’s Orang Kita project on Malay-Muslim youth. Here is the list of episodes - 

The Malays Are More Politically Diverse Than You Think

Does the MADANI Branding Capture the Imagination of Young Malays?

Farmlands & Financial Hubs: How Land Use Shapes Voting Patterns in Malaysia

What Do Malay Youths Want?

Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity, belonging, and their place in Malaysia today. It builds on IMAN’s earlier project, Orang Kita, which focused on Malay Muslim youth.In the 8th and final episode, we explore the rise of China as a global powerhouse and whether its soft power is shaping the identity and political views of young, local Chinese.&nbsp;We also interrogate whether its soft power is any different from how Hong Kong and Taiwan captured the imagination of Malaysian-Chinese back in the 80s-2000s, or how the English-speaking community is often shaped by American pop culture and politics.We speak to Liew Liang Hong, Researcher, IMAN Research.&nbsp; Listen to the rest of the episodes of the series <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/tags/kami%20orang%20sini%20juga">here</a>.And if you missed it, we previously covered IMAN’s Orang Kita project on Malay-Muslim youth. Here is the list of episodes -&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/the-malays-are-more-politically-diverse-than-you-think">The Malays Are More Politically Diverse Than You Think</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/does-the-madani-branding-capture-the-imagination-of-young-malays">Does the MADANI Branding Capture the Imagination of Young Malays?</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/farmlands-and-financial-hubs-how-land-use-shapes-voting-patterns-in-malaysia">Farmlands &amp; Financial Hubs: How Land Use Shapes Voting Patterns in Malaysia</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/what-do-malay-youths-want">What Do Malay Youths Want?</a>

Kami Orang Sini Juga #8: Does China’s Soft Power Influence Local Chinese Identity & Politics?

Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. 

This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity, belonging, and their place in Malaysia today. It builds on IMAN’s earlier project, Orang Kita, which focused on Malay Muslim youth.

In the seventh episode, we unpack a bit of the history of one of the most well-organised far-right organisations in the world, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and explore whether it has spread its wings to Malaysia. We also talk about actor-turned politician Vijay (who recently won the Tamil Nadu elections and became its chief minister) and how he is capturing the political imagination of the diaspora community in ways others can't. 
In this episode, we are once again joined by Shalini Muniapan, who is a researcher at IMAN Research. 



Listen to the rest of the episodes of the series here.



And if you missed it, we previously covered IMAN’s Orang Kita project on Malay-Muslim youth. Here is the list of episodes - 

The Malays Are More Politically Diverse Than You Think

Does the MADANI Branding Capture the Imagination of Young Malays?

Farmlands & Financial Hubs: How Land Use Shapes Voting Patterns in Malaysia

What Do Malay Youths Want?

Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research.&nbsp;This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity, belonging, and their place in Malaysia today. It builds on IMAN’s earlier project, Orang Kita, which focused on Malay Muslim youth.In the seventh episode, we unpack a bit of the history of one of the most well-organised far-right organisations in the world, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and explore whether it has spread its wings to Malaysia. We also talk about actor-turned politician Vijay (who recently won the Tamil Nadu elections and became its chief minister) and how he is capturing the political imagination of the diaspora community in ways others can't. In this episode, we are once again joined by Shalini Muniapan, who is a researcher at IMAN Research. Listen to the rest of the episodes of the series <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/tags/kami%20orang%20sini%20juga">here</a>.And if you missed it, we previously covered IMAN’s Orang Kita project on Malay-Muslim youth. Here is the list of episodes -&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/the-malays-are-more-politically-diverse-than-you-think">The Malays Are More Politically Diverse Than You Think</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/does-the-madani-branding-capture-the-imagination-of-young-malays">Does the MADANI Branding Capture the Imagination of Young Malays?</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/farmlands-and-financial-hubs-how-land-use-shapes-voting-patterns-in-malaysia">Farmlands &amp; Financial Hubs: How Land Use Shapes Voting Patterns in Malaysia</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/what-do-malay-youths-want">What Do Malay Youths Want?</a>

Kami Orang Sini Juga #7: Does the Hindu-Supremacist RSS Exist in Malaysia?

Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research. 

This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity, belonging, and their place in Malaysia today. It builds on IMAN’s earlier project, Orang Kita, which focused on Malay Muslim youth.

In the sixth episode, we explore the key priorities of Malaysian-Chinese youth, including infrastructure and social harmony. 


We speak to Liew Liang Hong, Researcher, IMAN Research. 


Listen to the rest of the episodes of the series here.



And if you missed it, we previously covered IMAN’s Orang Kita project on Malay-Muslim youth. Here is the list of episodes - 

The Malays Are More Politically Diverse Than You Think

Does the MADANI Branding Capture the Imagination of Young Malays?

Farmlands & Financial Hubs: How Land Use Shapes Voting Patterns in Malaysia

What Do Malay Youths Want?




Image Credit: Shutterstock

Kami Orang Sini Juga is a mini-series in collaboration with IMAN Research.&nbsp;This series explores how young Malaysian Indians and Chinese understand identity, belonging, and their place in Malaysia today. It builds on IMAN’s earlier project, Orang Kita, which focused on Malay Muslim youth.In the sixth episode, we explore the key priorities of Malaysian-Chinese youth, including infrastructure and social harmony.&nbsp; We speak to Liew Liang Hong, Researcher, IMAN Research.&nbsp; Listen to the rest of the episodes of the series <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/tags/kami%20orang%20sini%20juga">here</a>.And if you missed it, we previously covered IMAN’s Orang Kita project on Malay-Muslim youth. Here is the list of episodes -&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/the-malays-are-more-politically-diverse-than-you-think">The Malays Are More Politically Diverse Than You Think</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/does-the-madani-branding-capture-the-imagination-of-young-malays">Does the MADANI Branding Capture the Imagination of Young Malays?</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/farmlands-and-financial-hubs-how-land-use-shapes-voting-patterns-in-malaysia">Farmlands &amp; Financial Hubs: How Land Use Shapes Voting Patterns in Malaysia</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/what-do-malay-youths-want">What Do Malay Youths Want?</a> Image Credit: Shutterstock

Charles Hector Reflects on Labour Rights and Human Rights in Malaysia Through the Years

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