Raymon Ram has been appointed the new president of Transparency International–Malaysia. He will be serving in this capacity from 2025 - 2027. He succeeds Dr Muhammad Mohan, who stepped down after completing the six-year term limit. 

In this episode, we chat with Raymon about battling the culture of corruption in Malaysia and what he hopes to achieve as the new President of Transparency International - Malaysia.

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The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), is urging the government of Malaysia to take a firm and principled stance against the ongoing human and labour rights violations in Myanmar by supporting the invocation of Article 33 of the ILO Constitution. 

The organisation, which consists of 12 million workers across 365 trade unions in 111 countries, stresses that Malaysia—as a Deputy Member of the ILO Governing Body and the current ASEAN  chair —has a unique opportunity to demonstrate moral and regional leadership. 

BWI is calling on Malaysia to support a draft resolution at the ILO’s 353rd Governing Body session at the 113th International Labour Conference in June, which seeks to hold the Myanmar military junta accountable for widespread abuses. 

In this episode, we are joined by Apolinar Dong Tolentino, Regional Representative of BWI. We discuss how the Junta is cracking down on workers and what can be done about it.

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Dr Vilashini Somiah who’s a feminist anthropologist and a senior lecturer at University Malaya has been appointed as the next chair of the Southeast Asia Council (SEAC) of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS). 

This is important in and of itself but also specifically because she will be the first Southeast Asian-based scholar to lead the council since 1970 – that means she’s also the first Malaysian to lead the council, since then. 

In this episode, we speak to Dr Vilashini Somiah about her work, getting elected to chair the council, the challenges faced by marginalised communities in the region and so much more.

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Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) has released their 2024 human rights report. It’s a detailed report on the various human rights violations that have occurred throughout the year, some of the progress made and the changes that should happen moving forward. 

We speak to Jernell Tan, who’s the Documentation & Monitoring Coordinator at SUARAM. Jernell also penned numerous chapters in the report. 

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Labour Day is observed every year on the 1st of May. It’s a holiday in most countries around the world – and perhaps one of the most important ones. But most of us don’t think about its significance and even take it for granted. Behind the holiday lies a legacy of protest, solidarity, and the ongoing fight for workers’ rights.

In this episode, we discuss the significance of labour day, especially in Malaysia with Gandipan Nantha Gopalan, Central Committee Member, Parti Sosialis Malaysia. 

There is also going to be a Labour Day rally happening on Thursday, 1st of May 2025 at 9.30am. Participants will be marching from Pasar Seni (Central Market) to Dataran Merdeka. For more information, visit the Instagram page of Jawatankuasa 1 Mei (@malaysia.mei.1).

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There’s been a lot of talk lately about PTPTN’s ballooning debt and what to do about it. With a total outstanding debt of RM 40 billion, pressure is mounting on the government to act decisively. The instinctual reactions tend to focus on the defaulters, with many calling for harsh penalties like fines or travel bans. I mean, it’s only natural to think “you borrow, you pay back!” 

But are we missing something here – something more fundamental and structural? 

We speak to Geoffrey Williams, Economist & Founder of Williams Business Consultancy.

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Kanni Wignaraja is the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with over 25 years of experience in Sustainable Development. She has worked across Africa, Asia and is a prominent advocate for inclusive and people-centered development in the Asia-Pacific region.

In this episode, we talk to her about Malaysia’s economic and political trajectory over the past several decades, within broader ASEAN and global dynamics. As well as the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the country as we transition towards a high-income nation.

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The Ayer Kuning by-election will be taking place on the 26th of April and it is going to be a three-cornered fight between MADANI/Barisan Nasional’s Mohamad Yusri Bakir, Perikatan Nasional’s Abdul Muhaimin Malek and Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s Bawani Kaniapan (Bawani KS). The election for one out of the 59 state seats in Perak is taking place due to the passing of incumbent Ishsam Shahruddin of Barisan Nasional. 

The move by PSM to contest this election has been equally welcomed and criticised. Some mock them for being a party that regularly loses their deposit at the ballot box, while others say they have a pivotal role to play in elevating the class consciousness of the nation. 

In this episode, we speak to Bawani about what she can offer to the people of Ayer Kuning. 

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Basic Income – or Universal Basic Income (UBI) as it’s commonly referred to – is a policy where a government gives all citizens a regular sum of money periodically (i.e. every month), regardless of their employment status or income level. 

You might think to yourself that this is idealistic and utopian, wondering if it’s even feasible or necessary. 

In this episode, we speak to Guy Standing, a British economist and one of the world’s leading voices in advocating for Basic Income. He is a professor of development studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and a co-founder of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN). 

The Basic Income Earth Network will be down in KL for an upcoming workshop & Conference called: Universal Basic Income in Malaysia: Insights and Possibilities. Click here if you are interested to find out more or register for the event.

Image Credit: Guy Standing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Basic Income – or Universal Basic Income (UBI) as it’s commonly referred to – is a policy where a government gives all citizens a regular sum of money periodically (i.e. every month), regardless of their employment status or income level. 

You might think to yourself that this is idealistic and utopian, wondering if it’s even feasible or necessary. 

In this episode, we speak to Guy Standing, a British economist and one of the world’s leading voices in advocating for Basic Income. He is a professor of development studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and a co-founder of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN). 

The Basic Income Earth Network will be down in KL for an upcoming workshop & Conference called: Universal Basic Income in Malaysia: Insights and Possibilities.Click here if you are interested to find out more or register for the event.

Image Credit: Guy Standing

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.