Search

The immediate response by countries worldwide to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020 was through the implementation of border lockdown, minimizing human movements. Malaysia launched Ops Benteng (Fortress Operation) via National Task Force (NTF) as the country faced high risk transmission through under-detected illegal movements of people across the land and maritime borders. Human trafficking and smuggling has been a great concern before the pandemic, and thus posing unprecedented challenge to the Malaysian border security agencies. This paper aims to analyze the role of security agencies involved in Ops Benteng, the extent of coordination and challenges faced by NTF while implementing the border control measures. The methods include structured interview with officials from Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the Home Ministry (KDN), and the National Security Council (NSC). This studywill be the first in articulating duties and responsibilities, as well as cooperation between border control agencies and challenges faced in security governance structures. The author argues that the dilemma of compartmentalizing problems by the agencies working in silo and the bureaucratic hurdles that impede coordination efficiencies need to be addressed by all involved stakeholders and the implementation efficiency can be further enhanced by an integrated cooperation framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The competition between the United States and China is now more complex compared to the era of the Cold War. This is evident from the Trade War, the issue of 5G technology, megaproject initiatives, the South China Sea issue and most recently the Covid-19 issue. Malaysia has taken a pragmatic approach and has been careful not to get caught up in the competition between the two powers. During the Pakatan Harapan (PH) era, Malaysia decided to cancel the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) mega project, renegotiate the construction cost of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) as well as the grey zone issue in the South China Sea. These decisions created tension in the Kuala Lumpur-Beijing bilateral relations. In response, China delayed any form of cooperation to re-evaluate Kuala Lumpur's foreign policy towards Beijing under the new Pakatan Harapan government. However, Mahathir successfully renegotiated with China to proceed with the projects. This event is expected to leave a significant impact on why Malaysia is increasing its confidence and cooperation with China despite facing national security threats. By utilizing library research and interviews this study analyzes the factors influencing the improvement of bilateral diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China from 1971 until 2018. The study applies the theory of neoclassical realism and the concept of threat balance to argue that Malaysia's response and stance towards China are based on threat, risk, and opportunity factors. First, it finds that the trend in Malaysia-China bilateral cooperation is influenced by the perception of trust. Second, the factor of leadership in identifying threats and opportunities also influences bilateral relations. Third, economic, political, and diplomatic harmony requires a relationship of mutual trust and interdependence in line with the international order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The territorial dispute between Russia and Japan only involved South Kuril. The increasing presence of Russian troops in South Kuril has sparked reactions and protests from Japan. Japan has also shown dissatisfaction to the increasing presence of Russian troops on other islands in the Kuril Islands that are not claimed by Tokyo and the surrounding area. This research aims to identify the factors that led Russia to increase military presence in the Kuril Islands and surrounding area during the administration of Dmitri Medvedev and Vladimir Putin after returning as the President of Russia in 2012 until now. In addition, evidences of increased Russian military presence are also analyzed to show that the factors of increasing military presence in the Kuril Islands and surrounding areas are in line with the arguments put forward. In understanding Russia's action, the theory of defensive realism and the concept of national security have been applied in this study. The results of this research found that the presence of Russian troops in the Kuril Islands and the surrounding area increased during the era of Dmitri Medvedev and Vladimir Putin due to factors of strategic importance and national security that included the defense of Eastern Russia. Second, external threats and continued ownership of South Kuril have also influenced Russia's actions. Third, the Sea of Okhotsk, which was part of the Soviet conventional and nuclear prevention strategy, has made the Kuril Islands so important to be maintained under Moscow's sovereignty. Forth, a global factor such as the siege of the United States against Russia through the deployment of various missile defense systems extending from Europe to East Asia has also prompted Russia to increase its military presence in the Kuril Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experience of China's economic development after the implementation of reform and opening-up program in December 1978 has led to stunning economic growth in the history of China's development. Among the emphasis on the economic reform are the openness of industry and the growth of exports by allowing market forces, yet still under strict control by the state. Since then, the term China Model has emerged in explaining its economic development process. The rise of China as the world's new economic hegemonic power can be seen through Outward Direct Investments (ODI) strategy as a platform that integrates China into the international economy. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the key elements of the China Model that drives its economic development; and to discuss the importance of ODI in the China Model based on previous studies. This study was conducted by applying qualitative methods. The results of this study found that the China Model is an important strategy in the development of China's economy, while ODI is not only one of the dominant factors in the development of China Model but also an important instrument in China's soft power strategy. Based on the findings, we conclude that this study highlights the importance of the China Model that brings a miracle to China's economic development and contributes to the corpus of knowledge on the importance of China's experience in development that can serve as a guide for other developing countries to plan their development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese constitution was drafted by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in February 1946. The constitution especially Article 9 was to curb the freedom of Japanese army and it became a major issue in Japan. Therefore, there was a pressure to amend the constitution, particularly by the ruling party, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Article 9 was no longer suitable with the current political situation and it was continually reiterated by the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Abe emphasized two priorities in his administration, first, to rebuild Japanese economy through "Abenomics" and second, making Japan as a normal country by amending Article 9. This article examines the amendment of Article 9 by Abe's administration, including why Article 9 needs to be amended, Abe's efforts to materialize the amendment, response from the United States, China and Korea, and finally, support from the Japanese people. The analysis of this article found that the United States supported the normalization of Japan, but not for China and Korea. However Abe should pay more attention to the consent of the Japanese people. Although the LDP has a majority in both houses of Parliament, but special referendum is a major obstacle. Majority of the Japanese people still opposes his plans. Abe ought to convince Japanese people prior to employing his plans since it involves their daily lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]