Research
The Evolution of the Malaysian Diplomatic Relation with West Asia: Special Reference to Malaysia-Qatar Relations.
Malaysia’s foreign policy has traditionally focused on Southeast Asia and its friends in the West. West Asia was not a priority in its foreign policy despite the long established historical, social, and religious connection between Malaysia and the region. It was not until April 1965 that Malaysia began to develop closer cooperation with members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The OIC was established with the fundamental purpose of strengthening the solidarity and cooperation among the 59 Members States. Malaysia values its participation within the OIC as part of its foreign policy strategy with other Muslim countries. During the 2003-2007 period, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia were the three largest Muslim majority economies registering significantly larger growth in trade with OIC member countries than with the rest of the world. This paper examines factors shaping Malaysia-West Asia international relations through the perspective of social capital networking with a focus on establishing an “ummah network†between Malaysia and West Asia.
Regional Cooperation: Malay World and the Formation of ASEAN Community
Malay world is an area in Southeast Asia that has trade tradition during Islam entered and established. With the arrival of Islam, the region of the Malay world has become the focal point of trade for merchants from all over the world. Islamic trading centers have spread into many areas of the Malay world; from Pasai (now known as Lhokseumawe, in North Aceh) and Aceh (now known as Banda Aceh) on the east to Celebes and Ternate in the west, from Patani in Southern Thailand and Sulu in Phlippineson the North until Banten, Ceribon and Kudus in Indonesia on the South. These trade centers have dominated economic and trade route in Southeast Asia. The arrival of Islam in the region has been able to grow old port towns as well as emergence of new port cities until becoming influential and important trade center.
