Inter-Research And Studies (IRAS)

In a region stricken by violent conflicts and dictatorships, corruption remains endemic in the Arab states while assaults on freedom of expression, press freedoms and civil society continue to escalate. In this environment, it is no surprise that 19 of 21 Arab states score below 50 in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2017 , which captures levels of corruption in the public sector. SMALL STRIDES, BUT OVERALL STAGNATION While the majority of Arab countries show no significant change in this year’s index, on the ground, a number of countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia are taking small yet positive steps towards fighting corruption and increasing transparency and integrity. While not reflected in its CPI score, Lebanon, for example made small strides in 2017 with the passage of the Access to Information Law. The country also joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI ), the global standard for the good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources. In addit...

Non-religious people are being targeted by “hate campaigns” in countries around the world, as a distinct minority group, the latest edition of the Freedom of Thought Report has found. The report claims that the “hate speech” against atheists does not come exclusively from reactionary or radical religious leaders, but increasingly from political leaders, including heads of state. Published today (10 December) by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), the Freedom of Thought Report states: “In 2014, in addition to laws such as those targeting “apostasy” and “blasphemy”, we have seen a marked increase in specific targeting of “atheists” and “humanism” as such, using these terms in a broadly correct way (the users know what they are saying) but with intent clearly borne of ignorance or intolerance toward these groups.” Cases covered in the report include the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who this year labelled “humanism and secularism as well as liberalism” as “devi...

Our nation's Senate or better known as the Dewan Negara in our national language, currently serves as the parliament's some sort of upper house. The Dewan Negara was established as per Chapter 4, Article 45 of the Federal Constitution of which also states the establishment of the and composition of the House of Representative or better known as the Dewan Rakyat (lower house). Unlike the Dewan Rakyat, the members of the Dewan Negara carrying the title of Senator are not elected by the people. They are all appointed by the respective state governments and the King (Yang Di Pertuan Agong) and serve a term of three years, of which their tenure can either be renewed or terminated at the pleasure of the respective state governments or the King. For those appointed by the King are usually nominees selected by the sitting federal government in Putrajaya and the King merely endorses those federal appointees by bestowing them with an official appointments. Recently, the DAP Nation...