SINERGI : Journal of Strategic Studies & International Affairs

Externalisation of Domestic Economic Constraints: China’s Spatial Fix in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan

Hidayatullah Khan — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: Growing capital over-accumulation and excessive industrial production have forced policymakers in Beijing to search for profitable outlets overseas. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which focuses on infrastructure connectivity projects across Eurasia, reflects these efforts. This paper theorises BRI as a spatial fix aimed at overcoming the recurring problem of over-accumulation of capital. This paper focuses on BRI-led projects in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. By conducting unstructured interviews with experts and examining projects, this paper found that BRI-led projects in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan not only provided a new geographical space and under-saturated market for Chinese surpluses but also created the demand for Chinese State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) which were facing a decline in returns. This paper also found that through elements such as non-competitive bidding, embedded conditionality, and double preferential loans, China has successfully stimulated overseas demand for its surpluses. The study, therefore, concludes that BRI-led projects in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan serve as a spatial fix for China.

Keywords: Kazakhstan; Turkmenistan; spatial fix; BRI China.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.02

Article information: Submission date: 21 July 2023; Acceptance date: 14 August 2023; Publication date: 31 December 2023.

Declaration and acknowledgement: The Author would like to show their gratitude to SINERGI’s anonymous reviewers and their constructive feedback in improving the quality of the manuscript. Author is also immensely grateful for their comments on earlier versions of the draft. No potential conflict of interest was reported.

Abstrak: Pengumpulan modal yang semakin meningkat dan pengeluaran perindustrian yang berlebihan telah memaksa pembuat dasar di Beijing untuk mencari cawangan yang menguntungkan di luar negara. Inisiatif Jalur dan Laluan (BRI), yang memfokuskan pada projek ketersambungan infrastruktur di seluruh Eurasia, mencerminkan usaha ini. Makalah ini berteori BRI sebagai penetapan ruangan yang bertujuan untuk mengatasi masalah berulang pengumpulan modal yang berlebihan. Makalah ini memberi tumpuan kepada projek yang diterajui BRI di Kazakhstan dan Turkmenistan. Dengan menjalankan temu bual tidak berstruktur dengan pakar dan meneliti projek, makalah ini mendapati bahawa projek yang diterajui BRI di Kazakhstan dan Turkmenistan bukan sahaja menyediakan ruang geografi baharu dan pasaran kurang tepu untuk lebihan China tetapi juga mewujudkan permintaan untuk Perusahaan Milik Negara China (SOE). yang menghadapi kemerosotan dalam pulangan. Kertas kerja ini juga mendapati bahawa melalui elemen seperti pembidaan tidak kompetitif, syarat tertanam dan pinjaman keutamaan berganda, China telah berjaya merangsang permintaan luar negara untuk lebihannya. Oleh itu, kajian itu menyimpulkan bahawa projek yang diterajui BRI di Kazakhstan dan Turkmenistan berfungsi sebagai penetapan ruangan untuk China.

Kata kunci: Kazakhstan; Turkmenistan; penyelesaian ruangan; BRI China.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.02

Maklumat artikel: Tarikh Penghantaran: 21 Julai 2023; Tarikh penerimaan: 14 Ogos 2023; Tarikh penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.

Penghargaan dan pengisytiharan: Para penulis ingin merakamnkan rasa terima kasih mereka kepada pengulas tanpa nama SINERGI dan maklum balas membina mereka dalam meningkatkan kualiti manuskrip. Pengarang juga amat berterima kasih atas komen mereka pada versi awal draf. Tiada potensi konflik kepentingan dilaporkan.

ASEAN's Role and Future Economic Cooperation Under the US-China Rivalry: The Quest for Effective Democratic Leadership

Fredy B. L. Tobing, Ferga Aristama — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: Amid the US-China rivalry, the ASEAN role and future economic cooperation are uncertain. Deploying a qualitative approach based on documents as sources of data, this study aims to suggest democratic leadership as an intervening variable and examines future possibilities of the ASEAN role and economic cooperation under the US-China rivalry. There are three ASEAN's role future possibilities under the US-China rivalry: the honest broker (best-case scenario), a partial mediator (moderate-case scenario), and a dysfunctional organisation (worst-case scenario). The gradations linearly demonstrated an interlinked connection between the cooperation engagement and outcome possibilities. This study found that the best-case prospect, "an honest broker" could be materialised by implementing democratic leadership, an equally distributed, empowered, egalitarian decision-making kind of leadership determined by willingness, capacity, and acceptance. It could optimally encourage internal economic development and effectively manage cooperation with both parties through the distribution of responsibility, group member empowerment, and assisting all members in decision-making.

Keywords: ASEAN's economic cooperation, ASEAN's playing role, democratic leadership, US-China rivalry

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.03

Article information: Submission date: 17 July 2023; Acceptance date: 16 October 2023; Publication Date: 31 December 2023.

Declaration and acknowledgement: The Authors would like to show their gratitude to SINERGI’s anonymous reviewers and their constructive feedback in improving the quality of the manuscript. Authors are also immensely grateful for their comments on earlier versions of the draft. No potential conflict of interest was reported.

Abstrak: Di tengah-tengah persaingan AS-Cina, peranan ASEAN dan masa depan kerjasama ekonominya berdepan ketidapastian. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif berdasarkan dokumen sebagai sumber data, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mencadangkan kepimpinan demokratik sebagai pembolehubah perantara dan mengkaji kemungkinan masa depan peranan ASEAN dan kerjasama ekonomi di bawah persaingan AS-Cina. Terdapat tiga kemungkinan masa depan peranan ASEAN di bawah persaingan AS-Cina: broker yang jujur (senario terbaik), mediator separa (senario sederhana), dan organisasi disfungsi (senario terburuk). Pengredan ini menunjukkan kaitan linear antara penglibatan kerjasama dan kemungkinan hasilnya. Hasil kajian ini mendapati bahawa prospek terbaik, "broker yang jujur" dapat diwujudkan dengan melaksanakan kepimpinan demokratik, sejenis kepimpinan pengambilan keputusan yang seimbang, memberikuasa, dan egalitarian, yang ditentukan oleh keinginan, kapasiti, dan penerimaan. Ini dapat mendorong pengembangan ekonomi internal secara optimum dan menguruskan kerjasama dengan kedua pihak secara efektif melalui pengagihan tanggungjawab, pemberdayaan anggota pasukan, dan membantu semua anggota dalam proses pengambilan keputusan.

Kata kunci: Kerjasama ekonomi ASEAN, peranan ASEAN, kepimpinan demokratik, persaingan AS-Cina

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.03

Maklumat artikel: Tarikh Penghantaran: 17 Julai 2023; Tarikh penerimaan: 16 Oktober 2023; Tarikh penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.

China’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Malaysia: Impact on Malaysia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Norhidayat Zainal, Andrew Kam Jia Yi — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: Since its initiation, Malaysia has engaged in many BRI-related infrastructure and connectivity projects. These projects, which are mainly Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) from China, have mixed impacts on the three key dimensions enshrined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - economy, society, and the environment. As FDI from China continues to be an important source of Malaysian economic growth, its contribution to the country’s SDG goals warrants further attention. The study examines China’s FDI impact on Malaysia’s SDG performance and finds that its presence positively influences index scores and global ranking performance. The impact on human capital is encouraging as moderate knowledge transfers and competition enhance workers’ skills. As for the environment, the impact is both positive and negative - gains from China’s investment in green technology but losses in environmental degradation. While the effect on political security and national security is generally positive, the social impact of China’s FDI cannot be determined due to data limitations. The study concludes that Malaysia should continue to engage with China to harness its positive impact toward achieving its SDGs.

Keywords: Foreign direct investment (FDI), sustainable development goals (SDGs), Malaysia, China.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.04

Article information:Submission date: 7 May 2023; Acceptance date: 9 June 2023; Publication Date: 31 December 2023.

Abstrak: Malaysia telah terlibat dalam pelbagai projek pembangunan infrastruktur dan projek ketersambungan di bawah Inisiatif Jalur dan Laluan (BRI). Projek-projek mega ini, yang kebanyakannya melibatkan Pelaburan Langsung Asing (FDI) dari China, mempunyai kesan-kesan yang berbeza ke atas pembangunan mampan ekonomi, masyarakat dan alam sekitar negara - tiga dimensi utama yang dimaktub dalam Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan (SDGs) Perubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (PBB). Memandangkan FDI dari China terus menjadi sumber penting dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi Malaysia, sumbangannya kepada pencapaian SDG negara memerlukan perhatian lanjut. Kajian itu meneliti kesan FDI China terhadap prestasi SDG Malaysia dan mendapati kehadiran FDI China mempengaruhi prestasi SDG secara positif dari segi skor indeks dan kedudukan global. Kesan kepada modal insan adalah positif kerana pemindahan pengetahuan dan persaingan yang sederhana dalam usaha meningkatkan kemahiran pekerja. Dalam aspek alam sekitar, terdapat kelebihan dalam pembangunan infrastruktur melalui pelaburan China dalam teknologi hijau, manakala terdapat juga kekurangan kerana kesannya kepada kemerosotan kualiti alam sekitar. Walau pun kesan ke atas keselamatan politik dan keselamatan negara secara amnya positif, kesan sosial daripada FDI China tidak dapat ditentukan kerana keterbatasan data. Kajian merumuskan bahawa Malaysia harus terus terlibat dengan FDI China untuk memanfaatkan impak positif ke arah mencapai objektif SDGnya.

Kata kunci: Pelaburan langsung asing (FDI), matlamat pembangunan mampan (SDG), Malaysia, China.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.04

Maklumat artikel: Submission date: 7 Mei 2023; Acceptance date: 9 Jun 2023; Publication Date: 31 December 2023.

Hubungan Rusia-Ukraine Pasca Keruntuhan Kesatuan Soviet: Dari Perselisihan Kecil Ke Kancah Perang

Maifuza Abdul Malik, Riki Rahman — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstrak: Selepas tamatnya Perang Dingin dan Kesatuan Soviet dibubarkan pada tahun 1991, Ukraine dan Rusia menjalinkan kerjasama yang baik dari pelbagai aspek, walaupun terdapat beberapa pergeseran dalam isu domestik. Ukraine mengambil pendekatan berkecuali dalam menjalankan pentadbirannya kerana Ukraine memerlukan kerjasama daripada pelbagai pihak termasuk Rusia dan Barat. Namun, semuanya berubah apabila Ukraine menyatakan hasrat untuk menganggotai NATO pada tahun 2008. Hasrat itu diterima baik oleh NATO, sebaliknya ditentang oleh Rusia sehingga mencetuskan konflik berlarutan dengan Ukraine, termasuk pengambilalihan Crimea dan pendudukan di Donbass. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menghuraikan perkembangan konflik yang berlaku antara Rusia dan Ukraine dan untuk mengenalpasti faktor pencetus konflik diantara kedua-dua negara. Kaedah perpustakaan digunakan untuk mengumpulkan maklumat sekunder daripada buku, jurnal, laporan, akhbar dan sumber internet yang berintegriti. Hasil kajian mendapati tindakan Rusia menyerang Ukraine disebabkan untuk memastikan survival dan keselamatan kedaulatannya daripada ancaman kuasa besar seperti AS dan NATO yang semakin hampir di rantau Eropah Timur. Kajian ini juga mendapati terdapat dua faktor yang mencetuskan berlakunya konflik Rusia dan Ukraine, iaitu dalaman dan luaran. Faktor luaran seperti peluasan kuasa dan pengaruh Amerika Syarikat, Kesatuan Eropah, NATO yang menghampiri sempadan Rusia dan kuasa geoekonomi Rusia di luar negara adalah memainkan peranan dalam mencetuskan konflik tersebut. Manakala faktor dalaman pula ialah kewujudan kumpulan elit Rusia yang berperanan mengambil keputusan penting negara dan keupayaan ketenteraan Rusia yang hebat.

Kata kunci: Rusia, Ukraine, NATO, konflik, operasi khas ketenteraan.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.05

Maklumat artikel: Tarikh penghantaran: 15 Februari 2023; Tarikh penerimaan: 24 Julai 2023; Tarikh penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.

Penghargaan dan pengisytiharan: Para penulis ingin merakamnkan rasa terima kasih mereka kepada pengulas tanpa nama SINERGI dan maklum balas membina mereka dalam meningkatkan kualiti manuskrip. Pengarang juga amat berterima kasih atas komen mereka pada versi awal draf. Tiada potensi konflik kepentingan dilaporkan.

Abstract: After the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine and Russia established good cooperation in various aspects despite some shifts in domestic issues. Ukraine adopted a policy of neutrality in its administration because it needed cooperation from various parties, including Russia and the West. However, everything changed when Ukraine expressed its desire to join NATO in 2008. This desire was welcomed by NATO but opposed by Russia, leading to an ongoing conflict with Ukraine, including the annexation of Crimea and the occupation of Donbas. This study aims to explain the development of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and identify the triggering factors between the two countries. The library method was used to gather secondary information from books, journals, reports, newspapers, and credible Internet sources. The study found that Russia's attack on Ukraine was driven by the need to ensure its survival and sovereignty against major powers such as the US and NATO, which were increasingly approaching the Eastern Europe region. The study also found two factors that triggered the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, namely internal and external factors. External factors such as the expansion of power and influence of the United States, the European Union, and NATO approaching Russia's borders, as well as Russia's geo-economic power beyond its borders, played a role in triggering the conflict. Meanwhile, internal factors include the presence of Russian elite groups that play a role in making important state decisions and Russia's formidable military capabilities.

Keywords:Russia, Ukraine, NATO, conflict, special military operation

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.05

Article information:Tarikh penghantaran: 15 February 2023; Tarikh penerimaan: 24 Julai 2023; Tarikh penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.

Declaration and acknowledgement: The authors would like to show their gratitude to SINERGI’s anonymous reviewers and their constructive feedback in improving the quality of the manuscript. Authors are also immensely grateful for their comments on earlier versions of the draft. No potential conflict of interest was reported.

Menilai Semula Konsep "Serumpun" Hubungan Malaysia-Indonesia

Ruhanas Harun — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstrak: Hubungan Malaysia-Indonesia masakini dipengaruhi oleh pelbagai dinamika baharu yang kadangkala melahirkan suasana kurang harmonis antara keduanya. Perubahan politik, ekonomi dan keselamatan domestik serta serantau telah memberikan cabaran besar dalam menguruskan hubungan dua hala berdasarkan pada kerangka konsep “serumpun” yang pernah dibangunkan sebelum ini. Kini konsep keserumpunan kurang difahami sehingga banyak menimbulkan keraguan mengenai kerelevanannya dalam mengukuhkan hubungan dua hala Malaysia Indonesia, sedangkan ia membantu membina hubungan istimewa antara dua negara tersebut. Maka timbul persoalan, apakah konsep tersebut masih relevan dan boleh diteruskan bagi mengukuhkan hubungan istimewa Malaysia-Indonesia? Atau sebaliknya, ia tidak lagi relevan dalam persekitaran geopolitik dan geostrategik serantau yang berubah dan mencabar? Artikel ini membincangkan mengenai cabaran membina semula hubungan Malaysia- Indonesia berlandaskan konsep keserumpunan serta keperluan mencari pendekatan baharu dalam mengeratkan hubungan antara keduanya.

Kata Kunci: hubungan Malaysia-Indonesia, isu dan cabaran keserumpunan, pendekatan diplomatik diperbaharui.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.06

Maklumat Artikel: Tarikh penghantaran: 14 Ogos 2022; Tarikh penerimaan: 20 September 2022; Tarikh Penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.

Penghargaan dan Pengistiharan: Penulis ingin merakamkan rasa terima kasih kepada Perwasit Bebas tanpa nama SINERGI dan maklum balas membina mereka dalam meningkatkan kualiti manuskrip. Kedua penulis juga amat berterima kasih atas komen mereka pada versi awal draf makalah ini.

Abstract: New dynamics have emerged to influence contemporary Malaysia-Indonesia relations, which at times created less harmonious relations between them. Both domestic and external regional developments are challenges affecting their relationship that had been built on the concept of “serumpun” or kinship. Today, this concept and its relevance in their bilateral relations are less understood. This article discusses the relevancy and challenges of kinship as the basis of Malaysia-Indonesia relations.

Keywords: Malaysia-Indonesia relations, “serumpun” (kinship), issues and challenges, renewed diplomatic approaches.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.06

Article Information: 14 Ogos 2023; Acceptance date: 20 September 2023; Publication Date: 31 December 2023.

Acknowledgement and Declaration: The Author would like to show their gratitude to SINERGI’s anonymous reviewers and their constructive feedback in improving the quality of the manuscript. The Author is also immensely grateful for their comments on earlier versions of the draft.

Gender dan Keselamatan: Sumbangan Maharani Cixi Dalam Dalam Reformasi China (1861-1908)

Muhamad Daniel Ibrahim Yaacob, Siti Zuliha Razali, Muhammad Febriansyah — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstrak: Terdapat kekurangan kajian gender dalam Bahasa Melayu dan Inggeris yang membincangkan perihal kepimpinan wanita silam, seperti kepimpinan Cixi (1861-1908). Majoriti kajian hanya membincangkan naratif umum kehidupannya. Maka, artikel ini tertumpu kepada kajian inklusif membabitkan kepimpinan dan sumbangan Cixi. Baginda adalah di antara pemimpin wanita yang berjaya memerintah dengan menafikan dominasi praktik patriakalisme. Keterlepasan pandang sumbangannya itu disebabkan kepimpinannya diwarnai kontroversi negatif yang mencacatkan reputasinya dalam naratif akademik. Justeru, menerusi kaedah kajian kes, kajian kepustakaan dan metod analisis wacana kritis, artikel ini membincangkan mengenai sumbangan Cixi kepada Qing yang sekaligus memenuhi kelompangan kajian hubungan antarabangsa mengenai keterlepasan pandang sumbangan Cixi yang merupakan sebahagian cabang kajian “missing women figure under the gender scholarship”. Hasil kajian menunjukkan sumbangan Cixi itu boleh dilihat menerusi reformasi sudut politik seperti pembangunan sektor pertahanan moden dan aspek ekonomi, serta sektor sosial seperti pemerkasaan wanita. Cixi menafikan halangan gender untuk menjadi pemimpin, namun sumbangannya dipinggirkan dan sepatutnya diraikan sebagai salah seorang pemimpin silam yang berjasa.

Kata kunci: China, Cixi; kepimpinan dan sumbangan wanita, politik strategi gender China purba.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.07

Maklumat artikel: Tarikh Penghantaran: 15 Ogos 2023; Tarikh penerimaan: 12 September 2023; Tarikh penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.

Abstract: Research on gender and ancient female leadership, like that of Empress Dowager Cixi (1861–1908), is lacking in English and Malay. Most research only discussed Cixi’s general narrative. The majority of studies merely covered Cixi’s overarching story. Cixi was one of the women leaders who defied the patriarchal status quo to rule. Nevertheless, her contribution was overlooked due to the controversy surrounding her, which tarnished her reputation. Thus, through library research and content analysis methods, this article discusses Cixi’s contribution to the Qing dynasty while filling in the research gap of international relations scholarship by overlooking Cixi’s contributions, which fall under the scope of the missing women figures under the gender and international relation scholarship. The study shows that Cixi’s contribution could be traced through the reformation of political sectors, such as the development of modern military and defense sectors, economic sectors, and social sectors, such as women’s empowerment. Cixi successfully defied the gender barrier to become a leader; however, her contribution has been overlooked. It is time for her leadership to be recognised.

Keywords: China, Cixi, women leadership and contribution, ancient Chinese politics and gendered strategies.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.07

Article information: Submission date: 15 Ogos 2023; Acceptance date: 12 September 2023; Publication date: 31 December 2023.

Conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz: Implications Towards Oman and Iran

Mohd Ridzuan Md Ariffin, Noraini Zulkifli — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global oil chokepoint that links the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. It contains narrow international shipping lines in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, and the narrowest point is only two kilometres wide. Nevertheless, major powers have devoted their interest in the Strait especially the United States of America. This research has been conducted to analyse the factor of the conflict in the Straits of Hormuz and its implications towards Iran and Oman. The objectives of this research are i) to identify the importance of the Strait of Hormuz; ii) to examine the causes and impacts of the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz towards Iran and Oman; and iii) to analyse the potential cooperation between Iran and Oman in handling the conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz. This research has used qualitative approaches and secondary data were the main sources. The concepts of power and national interest have been used to explain the issues. The findings of this research are i) the strategic location of the Strait of Hormuz became a factor of conflicts as it was the SLOC to economic activities and strategic purpose; ii) the conflicts in the Straits of Hormuz will cause the decline of economic activities and the straits became the battlefield to both countries; and, iii) both countries should use diplomacy to settle their crisis as if it escalating, it will bring disaster to each side.

Keywords: Iran, Oman, Persian Gulf, SLOC, the Strait of Hormuz.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.08

Article information: Submission date: 23 June 2023; Acceptance date: 25 July 2023; Publication Date: 31 December 2023.

Abstrak: Selat Hormuz merupakan kawasan yang mempunyai banyak minyak global di mana ia pentinf untuk menghubungkan Teluk Parsi dan Teluk Oman ke Lautan Hindi dan Laut Arab. Ia merupakan laluan perkapalan antarabangsa yang sempit di perairan wilayah Iran dan Oman selebar hanya dua kilometer. Namun begitu, kuasa besar telah menumpukan kepentingan mereka di Selat itu terutamanya Amerika Syarikat. Penyelidikan ini telah dijalankan untuk menganalisis faktor konflik di Selat Hormuz dan implikasinya terhadap Iran dan Oman. Objektif penyelidikan ini adalah i) mengenal pasti kepentingan Selat Hormuz; ii) mengkaji punca dan kesan konflik di Selat Hormuz terhadap Iran dan Oman; dan iii) menganalisis potensi kerjasama antara Iran dan Oman dalam menangani konflik di Selat Hormuz. Penyelidikan ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan data sekunder menjadi sumber utama. Konsep kuasa dan kepentingan negara telah digunakan untuk menjelaskan isu-isu tersebut. Dapatan kajian ini ialah i) lokasi Selat Hormuz yang strategik menjadi faktor konflik kerana ia merupakan SLOC kepada aktiviti ekonomi dan tujuan strategik, ii) konflik di Selat Hormuz akan menyebabkan kemerosotan aktiviti ekonomi dan Selat menjadi medan perang kepada kedua-dua negara; dan iii) kedua-dua negara harus menggunakan diplomasi untuk menyelesaikan krisis mereka seolah-olah ia semakin memuncak, ia akan membawa bencana kepada setiap pihak.

Kata kunci: Iran, Oman, Teluk Parsi, SLOC, Selat Hormuz.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.08

Maklumat artikel: Tarikh Penghantaran: 23 Jun 2023; Tarikh penerimaan: 25 Julai 2023; Tarikh penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.

Ulasan Buku: Kepentingan Nasional Jepun di Selat Melaka oleh Noraini Zulkifli dan Zarina Othman, Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) PRESS, 2020, 164 ms, ISBN: 9789674128067

Shazwanis Shukri — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstrak: Ulasan Buku: Kepentingan Nasional Jepun di Selat Melaka oleh Noraini Zulkifli dan Zarina Othman, Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) PRESS, 2020, 164 ms, ISBN: 9789674128067

Ulasan buku ini ditulis dalam Bahasa Melayu. Ini merupakan buku yang ditulis dalam Bahasa Melayu dan diterbitkan oleh Penerbit UKM dengan judulnya, Kepentingan Nasional Jepun di Selat Melaka. Untuk tujuan mengakses, sila langgan versi bercetak atau layari versi elektronik makalah ini. Abstrak tidak disediakan bagi sesebuah karya ulasan buku.

Kata kunci: kepentingan nasional, Jepun di Selat Melaka dan di rantau Asia Tenggara, keselamatan maritim Jepun di Asia

DOI: doi.org.10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.09

Maklumat artikel: Tarikh penghantaran: 12 Disember 2023; Tarikh penerimaan: 20 Disember 2023; Tarikh Penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.

Pengisytiharan dan penghargaan: Penulis merakamkan penghargaan kepada para pewasit tanpa nama kerana kesudian penilaian serta cadangan penambahbaikan kualiti manuskrip. Tiada konflik berkepentingan sepanjang proses penerbitan. Kajian tidak melibatkan sebarang pembiaya dana penyelidikan.

Abstract: Book Review: Japan's National Interest in the Strait of Malacca by Noraini Zulkifli and Zarina Othman, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Press, 2020, 164 pp, ISBN: 9789674128067

This book review is written in Bahasa Malaysia. It is a reviewed article on the book written in Bahasa Malaysia and published by the UKM Press undertitled, Japan's National Interest in the Strait of Malacca. To access it, please order the printed version or browse the electronic version of this article. The abstract is not available for the book review.

Keywords: Japan's national interest, Japan in the Strait of Malacca and Southeast Asia, Japan's maritime security in Asia.

DOI: doi.org.10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.09

Article information: Submission date: 12 December 2023; Acceptance date: 20 December 2023; Publication date: 31 December 2023.

Declaration and acknowledgement: The Author expresses his appreciation to the anonymous referees for their willingness to evaluate and suggest improvements to the quality of the manuscript. There is no conflict of interest throughout the publication process. The study does not involve any research funders.

Editorial Note, Navigating Geopolitical Shifts and Turbulence: A Multifaceted of International Relations

Zarina Othman, Bakri Mat, Muhamad Danial Azman — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: The year 2023, which is about to draw its curtain, has recorded various geopolitical changes and challenging issues due to complex interactions among various parties, which require a thorough solution for the benefit of humanity. The events of the Russia-Ukraine War, the conflict in the Middle East that is heating up, in addition to climate change that results in various catastrophes are among some bitter facts as a hard lesson for all of us. Parallel to this development, this edition of SINERGI covers a wide range of topics, such as the US-China competition and democratic leadership in the context of ASEAN, as well as China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its effects on Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The collection also examines the geopolitical significance of locations such as the Strait of Hormuz and reassesses historical personalities like the case of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Overall, this compilation provides valuable, insightful information about the intricacies of international politics, economic manoeuvres, and regional security, which presenting a wide range of viewpoints to guide scholarly discussion and policy.

Keywords: December 2023, SINERGI’s editorial note.

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.01

Article information: Submission date: 27 November 2023; Acceptance date: 23 December 2023; Publication date: 31 December 2023.

Declaration and acknowledgement: The Authors would like to express their gratitude to SINERGI’s anonymous reviewers and their constructive feedback in improving the quality of the manuscript. Authors are also immensely grateful for their comments on earlier versions of the draft. No potential conflict of interest was reported.

Abstrak: Tahun 2023 yang bakal melabuhkan tirainya merakamkan pelbagai perubahan geopolitik dan isu mencabar. Hal ini berikutan interaksi kompleks pelbagai pihak yang memerlukan penyelesaian menyeluruh untuk kepentingan manusia sejagat. Perang Russia-Ukraine, konflik di Timur Tengah yang semakin panas, selain daripada perubahan iklim, yang mengakibatkan pelbagai malapetaka adalah antara beberapa fakta pahit untuk dijadikan pengajaran kita semua. Selari dengan perkembangan ini, edisi SINERGI kali ini merangkumi pelbagai topik, seperti persaingan AS-China dan kepimpinan demokratik dalam konteks ASEAN, serta Inisiatif Jalur dan Jalan China dan kesannya terhadap Kazakhstan dan Turkmenistan. Koleksi ini juga mengkaji kepentingan geopolitik lokasi seperti Selat Hormuz dan menilai semula personaliti sejarah seperti Empress Dowager Cixi. Secara keseluruhannya, kompilasi ini menyediakan maklumat yang berharga dan bernas mengenai selok-belok politik antarabangsa, gerakan ekonomi dan keselamatan serantau, membentangkan dari pelbagai sudut pandangan sebagai pendorong perbincangan ilmiah dan dasar.

Kata kunci: Disember 2023, nota editorial SINERGI

DOI: 10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.01

Maklumat artikel: Tarikh Penghantaran: 27 November 2023; Tarikh penerimaan: 23 Disember 2023; Tarikh penerbitan: 31 Disember 2023.