Inter-Research And Studies (IRAS)

By WH Cheng TheAntDaily.com, 23/10/2014 In most democratic nations, the initial stage of democratisation at the local level often includes the people’s first experience and exposure with local government elections. Elections at local government level is a good place to start developing electoral participation since local elections are the first element of democratic governance. Local elections touch the daily lives of ordinary citizens. They also embody the people’s right to vote and elect local officials and this is a necessary element of democracy. Ruling parties and political leaders usually attach greater importance and weight to state and national elections rather than local government elections. They have often argued that local government elections would not make much difference in the political life of the nation. But this is far from true. In fact, local government elections have certain distinct elements compare with state and national elections, giving it cons...

By Stefanie Kam, TheDiplomat The Indonesian government recently banned the Islamic State (IS), formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) also released a statement that it was “haram” or forbidden, for Muslims to participate in IS activities. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak also recently issued a strongly worded statement condemning the IS for its actions, which run counter to Islamic faith, culture and to common humanity. These are all positive steps. But they have been inadequate, given the spread of the ideological beliefs of IS via social media tools to preach and recruit others to join the extremist group. Rise in Social Media Support Following IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s message for Muslims worldwide to join the Jihadist cause in Syria and Iraq, new jihadist recruitment videos have surfaced from Southeast Asian terrorists. In July, a picture of firebrand Muslim cleric, Abu Bakar Bashir in his maximum security priso...

By John Warhurst, Sydney Morning Herald There is little evidence that the major political parties really believe deep down that their internal operations and those of their closest supporters are in need of reform. While the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption continues its revelations in Sydney and the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption does likewise in Melbourne, the major parties remain relaxed and comfortable about their internal culture. Both major parties continue to defend their own. They do so for two reasons. The first is that those who benefit from the present system are in charge and want to remain so. The second is that in an adversarial system to admit internal dysfunction gives an electoral advantage to your opposition. It is more rewarding to defend yourself by switching the focus of attention to the opposition's troubles. There are the occasional individuals on both sides who break ranks. Their motives are never clear, but we shou...

Let me start by saying "If writing the truth, asking questions, taking a minister to task or making a powerful figure accountable is seditious, then lets all be seditious!" I say this as one who has been detained under the Sedition Act 1948, the first in my profession to be threatened with this archaic law left by our British colonial masters. And what an irony because it happened only days after the country celebrated 57 years of independence from Britain. It was also the time when the police crackdown on at least 20 individuals, from opposition politicians, academicians, activists, students, preachers and lawyers under the same Act. I know I am not alone. Journalists all over the world are being prosecuted for the work they do, some are killed, or maimed, thrown in jail, tortured, harassed, abused and threatened with death. On Sept 4, I became an ' orang kena tangkap ', code-named OKT or loosely translated 'A detainee'. I was interrogated for nine...