The principle of non-interference in ASEAN: Can Malaysia spearhead the effort towards a more interventionist ASEAN

The principle of non-interference in the internal aff airs of ASEAN member states has been identified as among the most significant element that shaped ASEAN intra relations and still remain very much appreciated. By not allowing member states to interfere into another’s internal affairs, especially into politico-security issues, it has created a stable and secured environment in the region which contributed tremendously to the efforts of national building and economic development. However, several regional incidents such as the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis, the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Indonesian Smog/Haze crisis and the Myanmar internal political quandary have questioned if not shaken the belief that the doctrine of non-interference is an untouchable sacred political arrangement. This paper will investigate the genesis of this doctrine, the incidents that challenge the doctrine and Malaysia’s readiness as a country to lead changes in the doctrine

Challenges of Electoral Processes in Nigeria’s Quest for Democratic Governance in the Fourth Republic

Election as one of the most essential ingredients of democracy, its conduct has remained a challenge to democratic governance not only in Nigeria but also almost all over the world. Nigeria’s electoral process has since the first one in 1922 during colonialism to the last in 2015 has been characterized with fraud such as imposition of candidates, rigging, stuffing ballots, violence etcetera. This paper reviews the features of what is and what is not democratic governance as well as election process. An attempt is also made to describe the dimensions as well as challenges of electoral malpractice in Nigeria’s quest for democratic governance in the fourth republic. The paper argues violence, legitimacy crises, corruption and other vices cannot be unrelated with electoral fraud. It concludes by recommending and suggesting strategies that would tackle challenges of electoral process thereby having viable democratic governance in the country

The principle of non-interference in ASEAN: Revisiting an old and tested strategy in regional cooperation

The Principle of Non-interference into the internal affairs of ASEAN member states has been the long and trusted ‘modus operandi’ since the inception of the Association in 1967. This method of non-inclusiveness relation has gone through several phases of changes in almost all fields of cooperation except when it concerns political-security issues. This paper intends to discuss why this principle has been accepted, embraced and defended by most of ASEAN members despite urges from international community to the association to modify the doctrine in order to make ASEAN relevant and progressive. The reoccurrence of the `Myanmar Issue’, the politically motivated court case against Aung Sun Suu Kyii, has once again marred ASEAN’s image as a regional power house. In the final analysis, the author wish to propose some significant amendments to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) which embedded the non-interference principle as one of the most important pre-requisite in intraregional relations

Politik kepembangkangan di Malaysia

Pergolakan politik Malaysia sering mendapat perhatian daripada banyak pihak. Antara mereka yang terbabit ialah ahli politik, ahli akademik, pengkaji sosial, wartawan, dan orang awam. Mereka ini sentiasa membuat analisis atas sesuatu isu politik mengikut bidang kepakaran dan pemahaman masing-masing. Analisis yang dibuat seringkali diterbitkan dalam akhbar, jurnal, laporan rasmi dan sebagainya. Malah turut disiarkan dalam media massa seperti televisyen dan internet.Namun begitu, keghairahan mereka membuat analisis atas isu-isu politik semasa kerap kali tersasar dari realiti sebenar politik Malaysia. Hal ini disebabkan kesilapan mereka menggunakan alat yang tidak tepat ketika melakukan analisis tersebut.Di Malaysia,sistem politik sebenar yang diamalkan ialah politik sistem sebuah parti dominan.Justeru, penganalisis isu-isu politik seharusnya menggunakan alat analisis berasaskan pemahaman bahawa Malaysia mengamalkan politik sistem sebuah parti dominan. Malangnya ramai penganalisis menggunakan alat analisis berasaskan pemahaman bahawa Malaysia mengamalkan politik sistem dua parti sebagaimana terdapat di United Kingdom dan Amerika Syarikat. Akibat dari kesilapan menggunakan alat analisis yang tidak tepat, pemahaman masyarakat tentang pergolakan politik Malaysia juga tidak tepat. Oleh itu, kajian ini dilakukan bertujuan untuk meninjau pergolakan politik dalam sistem sebuah parti dominan, hal ini dikenali sebagai “politik kepembangkangan”. Objektif tulisan ini pertama, meneliti politik kepembangkangan berasaskan kepada sistem sebuah parti dominan dengan politik sistem dua parti; kedua, bagaimanakah aktiviti bangkang membankang (kepembangkangan) berlaku di Malaysia

Diaspora dan globalisasi: Potensi ancaman kepada keselamatan Malaysia

Konflik dunia melahirkan diaspora tetapi diaspora juga boleh mencetuskan konflik.Globalisasi sistem maklumat dan perubahan teknologi pengangkutan menyelerakkan pergerakan diaspora.Pergerakan diaspora kini tidak lagi bersifat konservatif iaitu dari negara membangun ke negara maju, tetapi kini pergerakan diaspora beralih arah menuju ke negara-negara membangun.Akibat dari itu, kesan diaspora tidak lagi hanya tertumpu kepada negara-negara maju sebaliknya negara membangun turut terdedah kepada kegiatan diaspora.Di antara kesan besar akibat dari pergerakan diaspora ialah ia berpotensi menjadi ancaman kepada keselamatan negara.Penelitian menggunakan data-data skunder dari kes-kes pergerakan diaspora di beberapa buah negara.Hasil kajian menunjukkan perkembangan globalisasi memberi kesan kepada corak pergerakan dan kegiatan diaspora; dan Malaysia mempunyai suasana untuk membenarkan diaspora aktif beroperasi

Selected demographic variables and community policing participation among citizens in Nigeria: a pilot study

In consideration of increase in crime rate and societal ills, Nigeria must improve upon its security architecture and policies to ensure security of live and property in the country. Effective community policing through increases citizens’ participation is of paramount importance.This paper is a pilot research study of the upcoming main study which intends to investigate community policing participation intention among Nigerian citizens. Thus, the paper examines small sample of data on the impact of ethnicity, religion, trust in the police, and attitudes toward the police on intention to participate in community policing program in Nigeria.The study utilizes survey questionnaire to obtain data. The survey questionnaire was at the beginning subjected to content validation.The reviewed version of the survey was distributed to the pilot sample.The returned survey was scrutinized for reliability using SPSS version 16.0. The results indicate that the instrument attained the thresh hold, therefore valid and reliable.Additionally, the data shows evidence of practical consistency

Ethno-religious identity and the quest for community policing participation in Nigeria

Community policing is an awe-inspiring mechanism for managing crime and social problems. However, ethnic and religious identity and conflicts have lean towards to affect the efficacy and viability of the community policing program in Nigeria. With a strong commitment and plans by the government in addressing crime and other social ills, through community policing, almost no outcomes appear to be imminent because Nigeria is continuously overloaded by ethnic and religious sentiments. This paper investigates the impact of ethnic and religious identity and conflict on Nigerian’s community policing program.The paper contends that ethno-religious identity and conflict not only undermines the viability and efficacy of community policing to foster security, additionally debilitates the unity and stability of the country.The fundamental argument is that unrestrained competition among the various ethnic and religious groups have affected public relations, and endanger the citizens’ participation in community policing program negatively. The paper concludes that, enlightenment campaign, especially among youth on ethno-religious tolerance, citizens’ participation in collective security, inter-religious and ethnic tolerance and harmony, police officers’ effective interaction with the citizens would restore public confidence, thereby enhances citizens’ participation in community policing program