The Selangor state government has announced a free breakfast programme for schoolchildren, which is scheduled to begin in August. It is aimed at ensuring students have access to nutritious meals before they begin their school day with a target of reaching 120,000 pupils in 965 schools. 



Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has argued that the initiative should not be limited to Selangor, but expanded into a nationwide programme as part of a broader effort to tackle child hunger, food insecurity and the rising cost of living faced by families. So, on today’s show, we speak to Charles Santiago about the case for free school meals, what it would take to scale up such a programme at a national level, and why ensuring every child starts the day with a proper meal should be seen as a national priority. 



Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Selangor state government has announced a free breakfast programme for schoolchildren, which is scheduled to begin in August. It is aimed at ensuring students have access to nutritious meals before they begin their school day with a target of reaching 120,000 pupils in 965 schools.&nbsp;Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has argued that the initiative should not be limited to Selangor, but expanded into a nationwide programme as part of a broader effort to tackle child hunger, food insecurity and the rising cost of living faced by families. So, on today’s show, we speak to Charles Santiago about the case for free school meals, what it would take to scale up such a programme at a national level, and why ensuring every child starts the day with a proper meal should be seen as a national priority.&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.

Why Providing Free Breakfast in Schools Should Be a National Priority

How does a youth member rise to leadership within a political party? What is the ladder? Who holds it? And how long is the climb? We speak to Azman Azeez, Exco of Pemuda UMNO Malaysia in charge of leadership and membership development, to learn how our oldest party recruits its young talent.



Image Credit: UMNO Online

How does a youth member rise to leadership within a political party? What is the ladder? Who holds it? And how long is the climb? We speak to Azman Azeez, Exco of Pemuda UMNO Malaysia in charge of leadership and membership development, to learn how our oldest party recruits its young talent.Image Credit: UMNO Online

Ones to Watch #5 - How Do Youth Rise Within a Party?

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

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

Why Providing Free Breakfast in Schools Should Be a National Priority

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