Factionalism in Iban Politics

The Schism among the Iban takes root in the historical animosity that exist within them due largely to geographical factor; leading to the mergence of two dominant Iban groups, the Saribas and the Rejang Basin Ibans. Apart from historical animosity, the split within the Iban community; i.e. systematic marginalization by the state, lack of education attainment, parochialism and the 'divisive' role of Chinese elites. All these factors have contributed to ongoing factionalism within the Iban community, resulting in the continued decline of Iban political power

The Role of UNICEF's Intervention Programs in Improving Polio Coverage During the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

The poor humanitarian situation in Yemen resulted from many factors such as political instability, multiple localized conflicts and chronic underdevelopment. However, when the armed conflict started in March 2015 the whole country started experiencing a great shortage of vaccines which risks the lives of millions of children from infectious diseases such as polio. Therefore, fighting against polio was one of UNICEF’s battles in the country. This research aims to provide an assessment regarding the major interventions that UNICEF uses to deliver immunization services including polio vaccines to children during the current humanitarian crisis in the country. The analysis of the results showed that UNICEF’s support has a positive impact on children in Yemen. The coverage rate continues to improve slowly despite the challenges faced during the humanitarian crisis. Recommendations to resolve these challenges and to improve the current immunization interventions in the future were proposed. Keywords: Yemen, UNICEF, Humanitarian Interventions, Immunization, Poli

WOMEN IN THE ELECTORAL POLITICS: A CASE STUDY OF 2016 SARAWAK STATE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ELECTION

This paper examines the women’s political participation as election candidates in Sarawak. The study will centre on the behind scenes of the 2013 General Election / GE13 (Sarawak Parliamentary seats). The investigation aims to contribute to the existing resource on women's political participation in Sarawak and Malaysia in general. The generated data may support the clamour for more participation of women as election candidates in Malaysian politics, particularly in Sarawak. The objectives are to produce a comprehensive gender ranking of political parties’ candidates list for 2013 election and to highlight issues pertaining to women's participation in this electoral politics. There is a record number of women (eight candidates) contested in GE13 for Sarawak constituency areas and five of the eight women candidates won their election. Further, some of the interesting features in this election are the ability of the winners to gain more votes from the male candidates which also indicated their popularity even though they were fielded for the first time (for example a female candidate from PBB). Thus, a candidate’s gender does not seem to be a major factor for voters in deciding when they decide whom to vote. It is also interesting to observe the battle between two big political parties that represents the Bumiputera (PBB) and the Chinese dominated party (DAP) continued to field the women candidates and eventually won with a big majority. The remaining PBB’s counterparts, SUPP and, PRS remains a status quo for not fielding any women candidates in the 2008 GE and the 10th State Election in 2011. On the other hand, SPDP stays staunch with the sole woman candidate since Sarawak State Election of 2006. With no women candidates in the said parties indicated the question of how serious are the political parties in pursuing women’s wish to their political participation in the government. Therefore, this study will aim or attempt to establish that it is evident that men still dominate the electoral candidatures in Sarawak. Keywords: Gender, Women, Political Partie

Understanding of Iban Women Political Participation through Analysing the Decision-Making Process in Iban Society

An individual is said to have become involved in politics if he or she participated in activities such as voting, campaigning, soliciting for votes, giving political speeches to influence the actions or the decisions of the other persons, becoming a member of a political organisation, distributing party fliers, carrying banners, or supporting a political party. A person’s involvement in politics may be classified as active involvement or passive involvement. The highest level of a political participation is when a person puts himself or herself up to be chosen as the people’s representative in a competitive election. To date no Iban women have ever been elected to the country’s House of Representatives. This is not to say that their involvement in ‘low politics’ is any better either. Niggling issues such as the customary practices, the longhouse systems, the political socialisation, the decision-making processes, and the notion of manliness may still be the decisive factors in how and why the Iban select or determine their leaders. This paper is an attempt to understand how and why the involvement of Iban women in politics is still at an infancy stage, as well as exploring the challenges that hinder its progress and development