Papers by Nabil Khairul Anwar
Nanyang Technological University, 2020
This paper aims to examine the narratives, and grounds of justifications, given by state actors o... more This paper aims to examine the narratives, and grounds of justifications, given by state actors on the need for legislation targeting fake news or online falsehoods. Thematic coding was used to identify and categorise arguments made during the second reading of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation (POFMA) Bill into themes of justifications. Following which, this paper then juxtaposed the themes identified against initial cases prosecuted to examine if the justifications given during the introduction of POFMA are congruent with the basis for prosecution after its passing. It was found that the arguments made in support of POFMA clustered around five themes. This includes maintaining racial and religious harmony, the need for speed, the ineffectiveness of online platforms in self-regulating falsehoods, the prevention of foreign interference and influence in domestic politics, as well as to safeguard public institutions. It was also observed that among these themes of justifications, the need to safeguard public institutions appears to be the primary reason for the use of POFMA by the government. Despite the heavy rhetoric on potential threats brought about by falsehoods on race and religion, and by foreign actors, no such cases have occurred. It remains to be seen if the government will invoke POFMA on these grounds in the future.
In evaluating ASEAN’s role as a facilitator of regional governance, this paper found that it has ... more In evaluating ASEAN’s role as a facilitator of regional governance, this paper found that it has played a significant role in conflict prevention and reduction in Southeast Asia, increased capacity building of member states, fostered inter-state cooperation in solving regional issues, and as being a potential agent of norm change promoting democratisation in the region. However, the institutional dynamics of ASEAN have also impeded its ability to facilitate regional governance effectively. This can be seen in the principle of non-interference which renders it inefficacious at solving internal conflicts as a regional grouping. In addition, weak formalisation dampens ASEAN’s capacity to act as a regional organisation. It is thus imperative to move away from ambitions at turning ASEAN into a Southeast Asian EU. Doing so not only risks reducing regional governance to a single state-centric institution (which potentially crowds out non-state actors) but also assumes the universal applicability of the EU-model of regional integration.
This paper will analyse the role of social and alternative media on political campaigning (especi... more This paper will analyse the role of social and alternative media on political campaigning (especially during the 2011 and 2015 General Election), and explore the repercussions it has on mainstream media and the political climate in Singapore.
Electronic voting or e-voting is defined as ‘an election system that allows a voter to record his... more Electronic voting or e-voting is defined as ‘an election system that allows a voter to record his or her secure and secret ballot electronically’ (TechTarget, 2011). This paper seeks to examine the advantages and disadvantages of e-voting using Estonia’s experience as a case study. It also aims to look at whether the advantages of e-voting outweighs its disadvantages. The paper ends with a discussion on the suitability of implementing e-voting systems, along with key considerations that need to be taken into account for its success.
This paper aims to explore the origin and development of nationalism in two Southeast Asian state... more This paper aims to explore the origin and development of nationalism in two Southeast Asian states, namely Indonesia and Thailand. The decision to choose these two countries as case studies stem from the historical differences that exist between them. Thailand is the only country in the region to have never been colonised while Indonesia (Dutch East Indies) had a bitter and traumatic colonial past with the Dutch. This paper seeks to look at the origin and growth of nationalism, taking into account the role of the colonial powers (in the case of Indonesia) and how nationalism emerged and grew organically (in the case of Thailand).
This paper seeks to examine the justifications behind the implementation of the Group Representa... more This paper seeks to examine the justifications behind the implementation of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) scheme and to reassess its relevance in today’s political climate. To do so, this paper explores the existing literature available and analyses the criticisms put forth by opponents. In addition, this paper will also present primary quantitative research findings undertaken to gauge public opinion on the continued implementation of the scheme.
Drafts by Nabil Khairul Anwar
Are the prerogative executive powers wholly inconsistent with a mature constitutional democracy, ... more Are the prerogative executive powers wholly inconsistent with a mature constitutional democracy, and are the reforms of the last five years to be welcomed without hesitation?
A discussion on how membership of the European Union and S3 of the Human Rights Act 1998 have inf... more A discussion on how membership of the European Union and S3 of the Human Rights Act 1998 have influenced the approach of the English judiciary to statutory interpretation.
An essay discussing Parliament's control over the exercise of prerogative powers.
An essay evaluating the present law of criminal attempts under statute (Criminal Attempts Act 198... more An essay evaluating the present law of criminal attempts under statute (Criminal Attempts Act 1981) and English common law.
Uploads
Papers by Nabil Khairul Anwar
Drafts by Nabil Khairul Anwar