Dis3113 bilateral relations with neighboring countries

Malaysia’s foreign relations

Bilateral relations with neighboring countries

Questions to ask

• What theoretical perspective (s) to frame the discussion?

• What is Malaysia’s policy towards a particular country in the region?

• What are the factors shaping the relationship?• What are the major issues involved?• What kind of bilateral cooperation ?

Malaysia-Indonesia relations

• How to describe Malaysia-Indonesia relations? CHARACTERISED BY CONFLICT AND COOPERATION

• What are the factors shaping their relationship? Geography

• History • Commonalities • Personalities/ leadership• External factors

History : commonality & divergence

• SHARED HISTORY: BEFORE COMING OF EUROPEAN COLONIALISM, THE TWO AREAS HAD SHARED HISTORY

• European colonialism marked the beginning of their separate ways.

ethnic & cultural affinities

• Concept of ‘keserumpunan’ : similarities in traditions, culture, language, religion etc.

• Familiarity with each other’s culture helped facilitate closer relationship among peoples of both countries

Differences

• There are differences between Malaysia and Indonesia :

• Different vision of nation-building & its objectives & philosophy

• Power relations and ambitions differ : Indonesia a pivot nation, Malaysia , smaller, developmental state

SPECIAL RELATIONS?

• Is Malaysia-Indonesia relations special?• Yes, by virtue of those commonalities,

similarities. • but mindful of the differences , own distinct

identities.• Conflict : only one in modern time :

konfrontasi, both countries chose not to remember it for their own domestic reasons.

Current Major issues in bilateral relations

• There are areas of potential conflicts : migrant workers, territorial and maritime dispute, cultural heritage

Areas of cooperation

• Security and defence• Economic• Socio-cultural • Political and economic cooperation

enhanced through ASEAN.

Relations with Singapore

• By and large, relations shaped more by domestic factors than external• geographical proximity, • history, • socio-cultural affinities, • economic interdependence,• similarities in political system.

Why merger in 1963?

• Lee Kuan Yew, May 1963 argued that “ the political, economic and military reasons are so compelling that we would be committing national suicide if we refuse to merge in Malaysia.”

• LKY also declared that the first pre-condition for the success of Malaysia was “national unity of all the races comprising Malaysia with undivided loyalty to the elected Central Government of Malaysia.”

• So what happened?

Why the separation?

• Why did Kuala Lumpur decided to “evict” / expel Singapore out of Malaysia?

• Tunku spoke in Parliament on 9 August 1965 of “ a State Government that has ceased to give even a measure of loyalty to the Central Government.

Reasons why KL , S’pore didn’t get along

• Nordin Sophiee gave several reasons:• 1. Economic & financial issues unresolved• 2. Different ideological temperament :

unsuited to each other • 3. Political behaviour of PAP & Alliance leaders

—causing verbal dogfight• 4. Singapore’s excessive sense of self-

importance & importance of its role in M’sia

Characterizing M-S relations

• acrimonious in the beginning, • Tunku’s description : “cat and dog”

relationship, others : divorced couple syndrome, “gila talak”, Siamese twins etc.• But relations evolved to become

closer.

Issues in M-S relations

• Earlier issues surrounding merger & separation dissipated, replaced by other more practical concerns

• Water , KTM land CIQ facilities. • Pulau Batu Putih• CPF, SAF use of Malaysian airspace • Interference in domestic politics

Towards better relations after Dr M

• Dr M: “ I’m very glad that the problems I have created have been relegated to the background”.

• New approach, CBMs on both sides• Politically there are ups and downs but

economic relations remain strong.• Increase security & defence cooperation

Relations with Vietnam

• Relations began in 1957 with Republic of Vietnam ( South Vietnam), with Democratic Republic of Vietnam ( North Vietnam) in 1973.

• Early relations ( with SV) based on support for anti communist regime , Malaysia supported US in the VN war.

• Relations with DRVN/ SRVN in the context of non-aligned, independent foreign policy

Why support for South VN?

• Malaysia’s fear of China (Chinese) threat, under Tunku, support for US policy of containment of China, pro West FP • Malaysia’s anti-communist stand,

bitter experience with communist insurgency at home

Relations with North Vietnam

• March 30, 1973-Malaysia & DRVN established diplomatic relations, agreed to “ develop friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of peaceful co-existence, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of each other, equality and mutual advantage.”

• Mission set up only in 1976.

Development & evolution after 1975

• assistance to VN in its post war reconstruction efforts

• Exchange of visits to promote bilateral relations.

• But there were political differences : ZPOFAN, ASEAN .

• Despite political differences, both countries avoided confrontation

Issues in bilateral relations

• 1. Refugee problem :first batch of “boat people “ arrived in Malaysia May 1973.

• By end of 1977 Malaysia became top receiver of refugees —classified as “illegal immigrants”

• Refugees created problems in the country, also caused Malaysia external difficulties

Issues ( cont.)

• 2. suspicion of Hanoi’s support for CPM• No evidence of direct, strong connection, but

exchanges of messages, broadcast by Suara Revolusi Malaya on activities on CPM & CPV

• Hanoi valued its cordial relations with Malaysia , would not jeopardize it with support for CPM, esp. CPM was pro-China.

Issues ( cont.)

• 3. ZOPFAN –did not gain support of VN• VN described it as” an attempt to

paint the same neo-colonial edifice with a different color”, • Suspicious of ASEAN close relations

with US

issues

• 4. Cambodia : Malaysia alarmed at VN invasion of Cambodia end of 1978

• Halted many diplomatic events business projects between M & VN,

• Relations back to mutual distrust , suspicion especially over Hanoi’s regional intention & refugee problem.

• Deterioration of relations from 1980 to 1986 over Cambodia

Other issues

• Spratlys ( Truong Sa) islands —not a new issue, but surfaced in 1980

• VN occupied Amboyna Cay in 1977, Malaysia published new official map Jan 1980.

• Malaysia occupied Swallow reef, ( Terumbu Layang2) ,60km of Amboyna Cay.

• Despite claims, accusations, protests against each other, Malaysia & VN did not go to war over Spratlys

Improved relations

• Due to several factors:• 1986 introduction of Doi moi . • End of Cold War 1990, • settlement of Cambodian conflict• Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995.

Post doi moi relations

• Increased its economic, trade presence in VN since doi moi, one of top investors

• Increased cooperation within ASEAN framework

• M-VN relations not burdened by historical or socio-cultural baggages, unlike that of Malaysia’s relations with Singapore or with Indonesia

readings

• Abdullah Ahmad (1985) Tengku Abdul Rahman’s Foreign Policy. • Danny Wong Tze Ken (1995) Vietnam-Malaysia relations during

the Cold War. • Jatswan S Sidhu ‘ Whither Malaysia-Singapore Relations ‘ in

Ruhanas Harun (2006) (ed.) Malaysia’s Foreign Relations : KL , Penerbit Universiti Malaya

• Johan Saravanamuttu (2010) Fifty Years of Foreign Policy. • Mohamed Nordin Sopiee ( 1974) From Malayan Union to

Singapore separation : KL, University of Malaya Press• Ruhanas Harun ( 2006) (ed.) Malaysia’s Foreign Relations : KL ,

Penerbit Universiti Malaya