PRECARIOUS TURBULENCE OF THE UNJUSTLY WORLD ORDER AND MALAYSIA ISSUES

In this editorial note, we present our overview of the selection process for the July issue of SINERGI' s 2023 edition. Two main themes guided our choices for this issue. Firstly, we focused on the ongoing international issues and controversies that have shaped and redefined Malaysia's outlook. Secondly, we considered the global challenges that persist and cannot be overlooked, as they continue to shape our subconscious biases and prejudices as a global community.

The goal is to provide a platform for local perspectives and inspire the new generation to share their thoughts and feedback. It is essential to transcend the ivory tower mentality of the university system and nurture young scholars. Malaysia is a unique Global South and a new player in the international research conversation. We value local and global perspectives in our journals and are thankful for our multinational contributors. Our team works hard to select authors based on merit, and we appreciate the help of peer reviewers and board members. Thank you to all who have assisted us.
The first article written by Sorpong Peou (2023, 6-24) that remains relevant today. He addressed the issue of ongoing major power rivalry in the Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia. Peou provided a balance of theoretical and practical perspectives and concluded that the region is unstable but not necessarily at war. However, this issue highlights the unjust global balance of power in the region, particularly for smaller Southeast Asian states.
Second article by Saul Jihad Takahashi (2023, 25-34) discussed global injustice and prejudice against the Muslim world, particularly in the form of Islamophobia on the international stage. Takahashi called for ummah solidarity to question discriminatory state policies against Muslim citizens. Without concerted efforts towards justice and reconciliation, the atrocity of state prejudice against Muslim society will continue to be a normative future.
Third article by Jiaxin Han and Fusheng Feng (2023, 35-55) provided quantitative evidence for the relationship between natural resources and political violence in the African region. The findings confirmed mixed realities and applicability between blessing and resource curse concepts in African conflicts. The unjust world order resonates with many illusionary tales of time-bomb disasters in conflict analysis and resolution in a post-conflict society.
The fourth article focuses on the non-western International Relations (IR) perspective and international political theory. The article looks at the Mandala System and tributary world order of ancient China and the minor kingdoms of Southeast Asia. The authors, Zhao Qidong, Rusdi Omar, and Mas Juliana Mukhtaruddin (2023, 56-68), highlight the illusiveness of identity positioning and the influential work of Kautilya's Arthasasthra. The article also explores the micro interpretations of the Mandala system and tributary order of the day, offering valuable insights to learn from ancient wisdom.
The ongoing political tensions in Malaysia between Malay and non-Malay Muslims are explored in the final research article by Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil, Wan Naim Wan Mansor, and Azril M. Amin (2023,(69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80)(81)(82)(83)(84)(85)(86). The article examines the paradox between the unique position of Islam in the Malaysian Federal Constitution and the universal human rights discourse on the right to freedom of religion. It focuses on the perspectives of Malaysian Muslim majorities and the operation of the dual court system (Syariah and civil), which presents both a remedy and a source of jurisdictional conflict. The article draws upon interviews with Malaysian judges, constitutional experts, and legal practitioners to highlight the challenges the Malaysian constitutional order faces in complying with the universal discourse of liberal democratic rights and order.
The following sixth article, the first research note, is written in Bahasa Malaysia by Nadirah Mohd Azmi, Intan Suria Hamzah, and Marshaelahyanti Mohamad Razali (2023, 87-94). The brief note provides an update on the current research on human trafficking in Malaysia. The authors note that the major problem remains with measuring the effective implementation by the Malaysian enforcement agency.
Datu Raid Salik and Rodolfo M. Matucan (2023, 95-99) discuss the autonomous government of Mindanao during its transitional phase. The Bangsamoro Youth Commission sent Mindanao youth to Malaysia for an academic visit and learning exchange. The six-day program focused on policy lab simulation and various topics such as youth empowerment, deradicalization, local processes, and the aftermath of the peace process.
The eighth article is a commentary note by Nor Suzylah Sohaimi and Rosfaraliza Ramli (2023, 100-107). In their critical appraisal of the issue of housing and property in Malaysia, they call for the timely consideration of the missing housing needs and policies for migrant communities in Malaysia. Given the nexus and nemesis between undocumented migrants (economic refugees) and sustainable development goal targets by the new Madani government in Malaysia, there is an immediate need to consider this debate and the policy-making process carefully.
The ninth article is a commentary note in Bahasa Malaysia by Rohayati Paidi (2023, 108-128). This article is interesting as the author unravels online Malaysian consumer trends and trends when dealing with famous Japanese brands, images, and figures. The Cool Japan strategy, which serves as Japan's soft power and cultural diplomacy in Malaysia, is present within these cultural branding products. With the 40 years of Malaysia's Look East Policy, Japan's positive and popular cultural image and icon remain intrinsic in shaping Malaysian worldviews. This is the final article of the collection, a brief commentary on the early days of Southeast Asian countries after their decolonization and during the immediate years of the Cold War. Authored by Balraj Singh Brar (2023,(129)(130)(131)(132)(133)(134)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139), the article aims to offer Indian scholarly perspectives and insights on the Southeast Asian region and its anticolonial struggle, which had commonalities with India's independence struggle and history against the colonial British authority.
The eleventh and last article is a book review by Turan Kayaoglu (2023, 140-144). The review provides a fascinating overview of an important book by James Piscatori and Amin Saikal.