SPECIAL ISSUE
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INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (ISIS) MALAYSIA ISIS FOCUS
ISIS MALAYSIA ABOUT ISIS MALAYSIA
ISIS Malaysia is a not-for-profit views,opinions and research in a free organisation established on 8 April 1983. and conducive atmosphere; To sustain its activities, ISIS is required to iv.Disseminate information on research seek financial support from other findings and other pertinent sources to supplement the proceeds activities undertaken by or on behalf from investment of the one off of the Institute; government grant recieved when it was v. Provide library facilities on relevant first set up. subjects pertaining to national and international issues; ISIS Malaysia is engaged in a wide range vi. Collaborate and cooperate with of activities focusing on objective and other bodies within or outside independent policy research and Malaysia for the furtherance of its fostering dialogue and debate between objectives; the public sector, the private sector and vii. Assist and guide students and academia. In general, its programmes are researchers to conduct research on directed towards five central areas of national and international issues. national interest: ISIS Malaysia's other roles include: i. Defence, Security and Foreign s Publication of policy-relevant papers Affairs; and books; ii. National and International Economic s Managing of the Malaysian Affairs; International Visitors' Programme; iii. Nation-Building; s Leading Malaysia's non-Government iv. Science,Technology, Industry, Energy diplomacy through bilateral and Natural Resources; dialogues with countries important v. International Understanding and to Malaysia, for which it brings Cooperation; together business leaders, senior civil servants (in their private capaci- The objectives of ISIS are to: ties), members of Think Tanks and the Mass Media ; and i. Undertake research in various and s Administering the Perdana specific fields and conduct long- Scholarship Scheme; term analysis of public policies on national and international issues; For more information on ISIS Malaysia, ii. Contribute towards efforts in please visit our home page at promoting general and professional http:/www.isis.org.my. discussions on important national and international issues through the organisation of seminars, conferences and other activities; iii. Provide an avenue and a forum for individuals,experts and intellectuals of various fields for the exchange of CONTENTS ISIS FOCUS
2 MESSAGE Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi Prime Minister of Malaysia 3 OUR THANKS Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan Chairman and CEO, ISIS 5 CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM Asean-ISIS 10 BOARD MEMBERS 11 ISIS STAFF 12 FEATURE Towards the Creation of an East Asian Community 14 FEATURE The Role of ISIS Malaysia in the Track Two Process 19 FEATURE Science, Technology and Environment Initiatives 23 THE COLONIAL HOUSE 24 ISIS MILESTONES Where Even Strongly Divided Views are Debated 26 ISIS MALAYSIA Consultancies and Projects 31 ISIS PERSONALITIES Past and Present 35 PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS 41 ISIS GALLERY 47 TAN SRI NOORDIN SOPIEE MEMORIAL LECTURE Religion in Our Time 57 FIFTH EAST ASIA CONGRESS East Asia’s Financial Stability – Is Another Crisis Looming? 62 Comprehensive Economic Partnerships? 66 Shift in Economic Gravity to East Asia: Implications 68 ISIS INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FORUM Improving Malaysia-Indonesia Bilateral Relations 71 ISIS NATIONAL FORUM The 2008 General Election Results: Outcomes and Implications
77 BOOK REVIEW 78 ISIS PUBLICATIONS
EDITOR: PUBLISHED BY Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Institute of Strategic and Hassan International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia No.1 Persiaran Sultan Salahudin, EDITORIAL TEAM: PO Box 12424, 50778 Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Mahani Zainal Abidin Malaysia Philip Mathews Tel: 603 2693 9366 Thangam Ramnath Fax: 603 26915435 Susan Teoh Terence Too © ISIS Malaysia 2008 Keith Leong Reprinted with revisions 2009 Zarina Nalla ISIS FOCUS MESSAGE
DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH HAJI AHMAD BADAWI
PRIME MINISTER
IT GIVES ME great pleasure to be prosperity in the region. able to contribute a short message on the occasion of the I have every confidence that if 25th anniversary of the Institute ISIS remains loyal to its founding of Strategic and International principles of independent and Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. impartial enquiry, belief in the power of ideas and commitment As the pioneer think tank in towards a better future for all, it Malaysia, it has a distinguished will be able to build on its track record of conducting strengths in the years ahead. I important studies and look forward to seeing ISIS promoting public discourse on continue to be a key player and the important issues of the day. valuable partner in the Since its establishment in 1983, continued development of it has provided important input Malaysia and the region. into areas as diverse as national development, economic policy, I would also like to take this education, the environment, opportunity to pay tribute to all security and nation building. It the individuals who have has also attracted some of the through the years contributed to best and brightest minds in the the sterling reputation of ISIS. I country, some of whom have am a firm believer that the value gone on to play leading roles in of an institution is derived from the growth of our nation and its people, and the best legacy beyond. that the leadership, staff and fellows of ISIS can leave is the On the international front, the ongoing success of this think Institute has always been an tank. active participant in influential track two and non-government Many congratulations and I offer discussions and processes in my best wishes for the years South East Asia, East Asia and the ahead. Asia Pacific region. Through its involvement in these platforms,it has emerged as a significant force for fostering friendship, understanding and cooperation and by doing so, has played its Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad part in strengthening peace and Badawi
2 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 OUR THANKS ISIS FOCUS
DATO’ SERI MOHAMED JAWHAR HASSAN
CHAIRMAN & CEO, ISIS MALAYSIA
FROM ITS HUMBLE beginning a (PECC) and the Council for quarter of a century ago, the Security Co-operation in the Asia Institute of Strategic and Pacific (CSCAP). Its Southeast International Studies (ISIS) Asia Forum (SEAF), Southeast Malaysia has emerged as the Asia Roundtable for Economic nation’s most prominent think Development (SEARED), Asia tank. It has also earned a Pacific Roundtable (APR) and credible reputation throughout East Asia Forum (EAF) initiatives Southeast Asia, the wider Asia have also helped foster regional Pacific region, and beyond. co-operation to build trust, strengthen peace and promote Its contributions to national development. development at home and to the cause of peace and prosperity ISIS Malaysia owes much to many abroad are widely recognised. for its achievements. Former ISIS was deeply engaged in Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir national consultative councils Mohamed initiated its convened to map development establishment, encouraged its policies in the last two decades.It independence and welcomed its contributed to the crafting of ideas. Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Vision 2020. It was part of the Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi has core national team that steered further nourished this tradition. Malaysia back from the brink of He helped ISIS flourish, and financial disaster in the late was receptive to its role and 1990s. It led in the drafting of the contributions in many national master plan to transform the and international initiatives. country into a knowledge-based economy. ISIS has also given ISIS also records its deepest valuable contributions to the gratitude to its first Chairman, nation’s education, nation-build- the late Tun Hussein Onn, and to ing and environment policies. Tan Sri Zainal Abidin Sulong, who succeeded him. Their wise ISIS Malaysia is also at the heart counsel helped guide ISIS and of track two initiatives in the establish it on a sound footing. region. It is a founding member of the Asean Institutes of One person stands above all in Strategic and International the making of ISIS Malaysia: its Studies (Asean-ISIS), the Pacific Director General for 13 years and Economic Co-operation Council Chairman and CEO for another
ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 3 ISIS FOCUS OUR THANKS
eight, the late Tan Sri Noordin challenges remain and our Sopiee. His ideas, intellect and mission to serve nation, region creative energy drove the and humanity continues Institute for more than two unabated. Finding more effective decades. He served the Institute and productive ways to bond the and the nation till the very end. nation, eliminate inequities, prosper the people, strengthen ISIS also records its appreciation regional co-operation and to the members of the Board, community-building, and forge past and present. They serve durable peace in Malaysia’s selflessly, without gratuity. strategic neighbourhood remain ISIS’s fundamental priorities. We also take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to In pursuing these priorities those who believed enough in ISIS will be guided by values ISIS’ mission to support its and principles it holds activities generously. They dear: independent enquiry; include The Asia Foundation, the intellectual integrity; innovative Sasakawa Peace Foundation, thinking; dignity for all the Canadian International Malaysians; and a just and Development Agency (CIDA) and equitable international order the Konrad Adenaur Foundation that disadvantages none. (KAF). Our special thanks go to our Strategic Partner, the CIMB With God’s blessing, we look Group of Malaysia. forward to the future with confidence. Last but not least, we recognise each and everyone who has served in ISIS Malaysia, and those who presently serve in it. Their hard work and contributions, large and small, are what have Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar bin made ISIS what it is today. Hassan
Malaysia, Southeast Asia and the wider region are much better places today than they were 25 years ago when ISIS was established. But enormous
4 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 CONGRATULATORYCONGRATULATORY MESSAGES MESSAGE FROM FROM ASEAN-ISIS ASEAN-ISIS ISIS FOCUS
SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
There are many reasons to offer our congratulations to ISIS-Malaysia on the occasion of their 25th anniversary. Allow me briefly touch on three.
First, ISIS has been our partner in the network of Asean-ISIS. We have worked shoulder to shoulder with ISIS on a range of issues for a common cause: the understanding of our region and our advocacy of how Asean and its Member States would best respond to various challenges facing the region. In so doing, we have had the benefit of hearing articulate and informed views and analyses from ISIS on a range of key issues such as security, economic integration and the paths forward for Asean and East Asia. We have learnt from them, even where these views have differed from ours or those of other think tanks. The work of ISIS Malaysia has helped shape our consciousness of regional views.
Second, ISIS knows and reflects the perspectives and interests of their government and countrymen. ISIS has given us and many others in the region and beyond key insights into Malaysia – as a modern,Muslim country and a key partner in regional affairs in Asean and Asia.Thus, ISIS has played an important role in ‘we have had the benefit of facilitating exchange and promoting bilateral relations hearing articulate and between Malaysia and Singapore, among the think tanks informed views and and also policy makers. I especially thank the late Nordin analyses from ISIS on a Sopiee, and the current ISIS CEO Jawhar Hassan, for sharing range of key issues’ their insights and perspectives with me and my colleagues in Singapore.
Third, ISIS has been a key institution and friend to the community of think thanks, experts and intellectuals in the region. They have not only given intellectual inputs but been an institution that has reliably rolled up their sleeves to undertake the hard but necessary work to get things done. Their role in the Asia Pacific Roundtable, the premier conference and gathering of minds on security and strategic issues, is an example of this. While others helped conceive the Roundtable, and the Asean-ISIS network is involved in many aspects, it is ISIS who coordinates, hosts and keeps the Roundtable going and growing. Their leadership in the East Asia Congress is another example of the initiatives that ISIS has taken.
Malaysia is a key country in Asean and East Asia. ISIS has been and is the leading institution in Malaysia to help us and many others understand Malaysian perspectives and, conversely, in playing an active and key role in helping shape the ideas and policies in the think tank community for the region.
On behalf of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to ISIS on the occasion of their 25th anniversary.
SIMON S. C. TAY Chairman
ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 5 ISIS FOCUS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM ASEAN-ISIS
CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (CSIS), JAKARTA
ISIS Malaysia’s silver jubilee is a cause for celebration. Congratulations to its founders and the dedicated individuals that have contributed to the growth of this institution. Twenty five years for a think tank is like a century in a nation’s life. During this period, CSIS has cooperated intensively with ISIS Malaysia, mainly on issues related to the strengthening and future developments of Asean, but also on our bilateral relations that have experienced ups and downs in the last decade.On other major issues such as the importance of East Asia and regional community building we have always seen eye to eye with each other and have cooperated closely.
The presence and activities of ISIS Malaysia have benefited the state, government and society of Malaysia through the good ideas and high quality work that the institution has produced.
CSIS and Indonesia have also benefited greatly from ISIS Malaysia and its role in strengthening the bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries that share ‘we in the region have a common history as well as future challenges. recognized the leadership of Dato’Jawhar Hassan, It is still fresh in my mind that when Pak Noordin Sopiee was a great individual and friend’ preparing to set up ISIS Malaysia we talked for hours about the objectives and ideals of a think tank in Asean and the challenges we were going to face in the national as well as the regional context. Our close cooperation and loyalty to each other were still based on that discussion.
Asean-ISIS has become our common endeavour to promote a regional network of policy-oriented researchers and scholars that will contribute to the development of Asean regionalism that is progressive and forward-looking. In this context, we in the region have recognized the leadership of Dato’ Jawhar Hassan, a great individual and friend that one can depend upon and who will always deliver thoughtful ideas and practical proposals.
May ISIS Malaysia thrive for many more years into the future.
JUSUF WANANDI Co-founder, and Member, Board of Trustees
6 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM ASEAN-ISIS ISIS FOCUS
INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (IFA) LAOS
On the auspicious occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, on behalf of the Institute of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR. I would like to take this opportunity to express my warmest congratulations to ISIS Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan and all staff of ISIS Malaysia.
ISIS Malaysia was one of the founding institutes in the establishment of the Asean Institutes for Strategic and International Studies (Asean ISIS).Tan Sri Dr.Noordin Sopiee from ISIS Malaysia was one of the most powerful people with vision in the Asean and East Asian region. His constructive thoughts, ideas and recommendations led Asean-ISIS on the right track.
The people of ISIS past and present, have played a very important role in the Asean development processes.They have envisaged the future of the Asean and East Asian region and their contributions to the integration of Asean ranges from the integration of Asean institutes, the establishment of ‘ISIS Malaysia has always ARF, the proposing of a number of constructive showed dedication recommendations in the Vientiane Action Programme, to to the improvement the Asean Charter and guidelines for regional policy. of Asean-ISIS relations’ ISIS Malaysia has always showed dedication to the improve- ment of Asean-ISIS relations. The annual Asia Pacific Roundtable in Kuala Lumpur is one event that witnesses the relationship between ISIS Malaysia and think tanks around the world.
As a younger think tank, the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of the Lao PDR highly appreciates ISIS Malaysia’s valuable assistance and co-operation with IFA.
On this occasion, I would like to offer Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan my best wishes for many greater successes in his noble task.
MALAYVIENG SAKONHNINHOM Acting Director General
ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 7 ISIS FOCUS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM ASEAN-ISIS
INSTITUTE OF POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES (BDIPSS) BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
ISIS Malaysia has come a long way since its establishment 25 years ago. Today, it has become a highly respectable institute in the region and internationally.
Its work especially in promoting discussions on important national and international matters is greatly appreciated. Its views on strategic and security issues affecting the region are also very much sought after.
As a founding member, ISIS Malaysia has also played a leadership role in the Asean-ISIS, especially in organizing the annual Asia-Pacific Roundtable. The roundtable which brings together regional leaders and prominent intellectuals and academics provides an avenue for exchange of views and opinions on current important regional and global affairs.
On this occasion of the 25th Anniversary of ISIS Malaysia,the Brunei Darussalam Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (BDIPSS) would like to congratulate ISIS Malaysia for its ‘ISIS Malaysia has come contributions in the promotion of peace, security and a long way...’ prosperity in the region.
Our special thanks to the Chairman and CEO himself, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, an admirable colleague, friend and important force behind Asean-ISIS and all our friends in ISIS Malaysia for the cooperation extended to BDIPSS.
We would also like to pay tribute to the late Tan Sri Dr Noordin Sopiee, the former Chairman and CEO, who had devoted 22 years of his life to ISIS Malaysia. His invaluable dedication to Asean-ISIS will always be remembered.
It has been a pleasure to work closely with ISIS Malaysia, and we look forward to working closely together in the years to come. We wish ISIS Malaysia continued success.
PENGIRAN DATO’ PADUKA OSMAN HAJI PATRA Head
8 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES FROM ASEAN-ISIS ISIS FOCUS
DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY OF VIETNAM
On this meaningful occasion when the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, it is my great honour and privilege to convey my heartfelt congratulations to its Chairman and CEO Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar, and to my dear colleagues at the Institute.
Thanks to the great efforts of ISIS Malaysia, the network of Asean-ISIS has been operating effectively to enhance international and regional studies that have played an essential role in improving co-operation and integration among the members of Asean. They have also promoted co-operation with non-members in the Asia Pacific region.
Thanks to the great contribution of ISIS Malaysia, Asean-ISIS as a network of Track II, has held a series of successful conferences, workshops, and seminars, at which we have exchanged ideas and ini- tiatives to solve a range of environmental, economic, political and social problems.Recently,we saw the realisation of a long-held dream – the coming into being of the Asean Charter, which is a milestone on the way towards regional integration. ‘Thanks to the great efforts of ISIS Malaysia, Our region is faced with, now and in the future, both the the network of benefits and challenges caused by globalisation,in the areas Asean–ISIS has been of economics, politics and culture. With our existing operating effectively’ mechanisms, determination and solidarity, I believe we can exploit the benefits and deal successfully with the challenges.
Finally, please allow me to express my admiration for the achievements of my colleagues at ISIS Malaysia and convey to them my heartfelt thanks, warmest regards and best wishes. I strongly believe in the success of our traditional co-operation and I am sure that a bright future is waiting and welcoming a dynamic ISIS Malaysia.
DUONG VAN QUANG Director General
ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 9 ISIS FOCUS BOARD MEMBERS
BOARD MEMBERS OF ISIS MALAYSIA AS OF 19 SEPTEMBER 2007
DATO' SERI GEN. (R) TAN SRI PROF.DATO' DR. MOHAMED (DR) MOHD. HASHIM KHOO KAY KIM JAWHAR HASSAN MOHD. ALI
TUNKU TAN SRI LT. GEN. (R) DATO' TAN SRI KHALID HJ. ABDUL JAMIL HJ. IMRAN IBNI TUANKU AHMAD RAMLI JA'AFAR
TAN SRI RAZALI DATO’ DR. MOHD DR. MAHANI ZAINAL ISMAIL IRWAN SERIGAR BIN ABIDIN ABDULLAH
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ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 11 ISIS FOCUS TOWARDS THE CREATION OF AN ASIAN COMMUNITY
TOWARDS THE CREATION OF The formalisation of the APT Summits was a watershed when AN EAST ASIAN COMMUNITY one considers the historical tensions that existed among By Steven C. M.Wong China, Japan and Korea. The ISIS has played a central role in promoting dialogue towards Summits, however, had the effect the creation of an East Asian Community, which has been a of bringing together these three long and often complex process for the nations concerned. While no one denies the importance of forming such a bloc, the moves towards closer regional integration have very much been the creature of wider geopolitical cum economic trends. In this regard, ties and exchanges between Asean states and their Northeast Asian counterparts on a 'tier-two' or quasi-official basis are assuming increasing prominence.
While the region known as ‘East Economic Ministers in 1991. Not The Conference Hall at the Putra World Asia’ has been a cradle of withstanding this, the EAEG did Trade Centre civilizations, its acceptance as a not have a major impact on East nations to deal with the South geopolitical concept is only a Asian affairs. East Asian states on the basis of a recent phenomenon. Indeed, the common platform. nucleus of such an entity, which All of this changed during the was proposed by the then Prime Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. The next milestone was the Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Report of the East Asia Vision Mahathir Mohammad, in 1990, Reeling from the economic Group (EAVG) in 2001. The EAVG when he called for the formation downturn, the advantages and emerged from a 1998 proposal of an East Asia Economic Caucus indeed the very necessity of by South Korean President Kim (EAEC), received only muted cooperation hit home to the Dae Jung that a group of support at best. Only the various Asean member states. eminent persons be formed People’s Republic of China was This led to an informal meeting in order to recommend to unequivocal in its approbation of of Asean Heads of Government, the APT governments proposals the concept. which included, for the first for greater cooperation and time, the leaders of China, the integration. This group was Republic of Korea and Japan in headed by Professor Han Sung December 1997. This meeting Joo, a former Korean minister of was regularised, and became foreign affairs and a noted known as, the Asean Plus Three scholar on international relations. (APT) Summit. In order to translate the EAVG In 1999, another step was taken into reality, APT governments towards the realisation of an established a grouping of senior Tan Sri Dr Noordin Sopiee and Prime East Asian community when, at officials, officially known as the Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir the Third APT Summit in Mohamad signing the Register East Asia Study Group (EASG), to Manila, a Joint Statement on examine the report and identify East Asia Cooperation was the recommendations that could The EAEC later evolved into the issued, whereupon the thirteen be implemented. East Asian Economic Grouping countries agreed to a closer (EAEG) concept, which working relationship especially The EASG submitted its was adopted by Asean in the economic, social and report to the 2002 APT political fields. meeting in Cambodia, having
12 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 TOWARDS THE CREATION OF AN ASIAN COMMUNITY ISIS FOCUS
identified 26 recommendations EAC places strong emphasis on for implementation.Two of these the building of social capital recommendations were the within the member states, as can establishment of a tripartite be seen by the themes of its conference to be called the East sessions which have ranged from Asia Forum and the setting-up of topics like ‘By Asians, For Asians: a network of East Asian think- Challenges for East Asia's tanks or NEAT. Electronic and Broadcast Media ‘ in 2004 to ‘A Social Agenda of EAST ASIA ECONOMIC East Asian Cohesion’ in the last Dr Jusuf Wanandi with the Prime Minister CONGRESS Congress.
But even by early 2003, however, The Country Coordinators there had yet to be a regional organize various Working Groups meeting where government that present a series of ‘Policy officials, scholars and private Recommendations’ to NEAT’s executives could exchange views Annual Conference, which then in a frank and open manner. ISIS passes these on to the Malaysia took the initiative by APT summits for Ministerial establishing the East Asia consideration. Economic Centre and organising the first East Asia Congress (EAC) Register of Participants at the First East When one considers the dearth Asia Congress in August 2003, which was of regional forums that existed attended by over 1,600 only two decades ago, the participants. The EAC has the NEAT growth of the various East goal of ‘crystallizing the concept Asian bodies is nothing short of an emerging East Asian As for the NEAT proposal, of remarkable. It is hoped community of peace, prosperity Malaysia appointed ISIS Malaysia that these organizations will and progress by providing a as its Country Coordinator in eventually coalesce into the platform for dialogue among 2003. Among its purposes are projected East Asian Community, high government officials, to serve as a ‘Track Two’ which has always been at the business leaders, scholars and (i.e.academic/research institutes) forefront of Malaysia’s foreign the media.’ process for APT or East policy objectives. ISIS, as the Asian cooperation, to provide nation’s premier think-tank, has ISIS Malaysia regards the EAC intellectual support for East contributed to this objective, as Malaysia’s contribution to Asian cooperation, to study and will continue to play a role in the East Asia community issues and initiatives identified bringing this about. building process.It sees it as by the APT governments and a ‘Germeinschaft’of sorts, namely study issues concerning East an informal, value-driven Asian cooperation. organization dedicated to fostering a closer sense of Apart from participating in integration between the Country Coordinator Meetings, member states. the Annual Conference and the various Working Groups The key phrase here is organised by the other countries, ‘ c ommunity-building’, NEAT Malaysia also sponsors and focusing on the level of leads the Working Group on individual citizens rather than Labour Migration, along with top-down, bilateral relations. The NEAT Philippines.
ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 13 ISIS FOCUS FEATURE
THE ROLE OF ISIS APT has provided a forum for dia- logue and consultation with MALAYSIA IN THE TRACK Australia, New Zealand and India TWO PROCESS on matters of strategic and common concern. Asean’s out- standing accomplishment in By Dr. Stephen Leong promoting regional peace and stability over the past four Over the last 25 years, ISIS Malaysia has made a significant decades has won it international contribution to policy formulation on a wide range of issues at the recognition as the most regional and international meetings of Asean, Asia Pacific successful regional body after Roundtable (APR), Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and the European Union. Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Most significantly, Asean’s Vision 2020 (launched by the Asean ASEAN Summit, marking the organisa- tion’s 30th Anniversary in 1997) Since its establishment in 1967, Asean’s achievements have included calling for the creation of an formulation and adherence to norms for inter-state relations; creation Asean Community, received of networks of cooperation among leading policy makers; and strong impetus from the Bali fostering regional consciousness among growing numbers of Concord II of 2003, clearly Southeast Asians. Since the signing of the Treaty of Amity and determining a Community to be Cooperation (TAC) more than four decades ago, it has prevented grounded on the three pillars of conflict among its members and has successfully engaged the major security, economics, and socio- powers through the system of Dialogue Partnerships. Having cultural cooperation and cooperated with its neighbours in Northeast Asia through the Asean integration. Most recently, Plus Three (APT) process since 1997, together they have embarked on recognising the imperative for the long-term goal of building an East Asian community. With the enhancing the regional body’s establishment of the East Asia Summit (EAS) in December 2005, the competitiveness in an increasingly globalised world, the Asean Summit meeting in Cebu, Phillipines, in January 2007 advanced the target date for realising the Asean Community from 2020 to 2015.
As a founding member of the Asean-ISIS network that is registered with the Asean Secretariat, ISIS Malaysia regularly contributes inputs for policy directions for the consideration of Asean’s decision makers. Most recently, through Asean-ISIS, ISIS Malaysia has had a hand in helping to craft the landmark Terence O’Brien, Tan Sri Dr Noordin Sopiee, and Dr Andrew Sheng document of the Asean Charter and recommending specific
14 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 THE ROLE OF ISIS MALAYSIA IN THE TRACK TWO PROCESS ISIS FOCUS
Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR) Asean-ISIS Charter, ISIS Malaysia began to organise the APR as a One of the The Asia-Pacific Roundtable joint event. It has since gone greatest (APR) was convened at a time from strength to strength, successes when the world was rife with attracting financial support from, of the APR lies in its tension, suspicion and distrust among others, the Sasakawa tangible advantage even though the Cold War was Peace Foundation, Japan; of building networks drawing to a close. With the big the Canadian International and confidence powers enmeshed in the Korean Development Agency (CIDA); the in a frank and and Kampuchean conflicts and Friedrich Naumann Stiftung; the friendly the Spratlys having been singled Asia Foundation, the Konrad environment out as the next potential Adenauer Stiftung and Boeing. flashpoint, the stability of the Whereas the number of sessions Asia-Pacific region was far from in 1998 was only seven, this year courses for enhancing the certain. there are 11 plenary and five relevancy and effectiveness of concurrent sessions together the Asean Regional Forum (ARF). In response to this, ISIS Malaysia, with luncheon addresses. With in consultation with the Asean- ISIS Malaysia as the anchor, the In this regard, ISIS Malaysia is also ISIS network, launched the APR has received consistent the leading institution for the inaugural APR themed ‘Conflict patronage from the leadership of Malaysian Committee of the Resolution and Confidence the Malaysian government. Council for Security Cooperation Building’ in January 1987 to Keynote addresses by successive in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP), which promote dialogue and Prime Ministers, Deputy Prime is the second-track process of confidence-building in the Asia- Ministers and Foreign Ministers the ARF. Besides serving as Pacific region at the Track Two have been delivered at the APR Secretariat to CSCAP since its level.The first APR, funded by ISIS since its inception. inception in 1992, together with Malaysia, drew 77 participants other members, CSCAP Malaysia from the big powers and six One of the greatest successes of has provided policy inputs to the Asean member-states. From the APR lies in its tangible ARF on wide-ranging security 1988, with the signing of the advantage of building networks issues, including developing a working definition of ‘preventive diplomacy’ for the ARF and producing memoranda on regional maritime cooperation.
Additionally, ISIS Malaysia is committed to other Asean-ISIS initiatives such as the Asean People’s Assembly and the Asean-ISIS Colloquium on Human Rights, both of which feed into Asean’s goal to connect with civil society and the Asean ‘citizen’ as well as its end vision of an Asean Community.
Panelists at the 12th Asia Pacific Roundtable Conference
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and confidence in a frank and Pacific Economic Cooperation friendly environment. Over its Council (PECC) Founded in 1980, span of 21 years, the APR has the PECC has forged firm friendships among Founded in 1980, the PECC has served as a non- individuals and linkages among served as a non-governmental governmental forum research institutions/ think-tanks forum for cooperation and policy for cooperation and and government officials who do coordination for promoting policy coordination not always see eye-to-eye at the economic growth and develop- for promoting diplomatic and political levels. It ment in the Asia-Pacific region. economic growth has also enabled bureaucrats Comprising 21 economies and development and policy-makers attending in (including Taiwan and Hong in the their personal capacities to Kong), its participants are Asia-Pacific articulate their positions without representatives from business region. the attendant restrictions and industry, public sector, experienced in official or Track I academia and other intellectual the latter’s Chairman and CEO as meetings. The APR has emerged circles. As one of the three official Chair of MANCPEC. The as the largest and, certainly, one observers of the Asia Pacific objectives of MANCPEC are to: of the most important regional Economic Cooperation (APEC), Track Two events in the security PECC also facilitates private (i) promote effective Malaysian calendar. With the revised theme sector participation in the official participation in the PECC; ‘Strengthening Comprehensive APEC process. (ii) provide information about and Cooperative Security in the economic cooperation with Asia Pacific’ since 2005, it looks The Malaysian participation in the countries in the Asia- set to enhance its contribution to PECC over the past two decades Pacific region; and promoting regional peace and has been represented by the (iii)promote awareness of the security among key-players in its Malaysian National Committee potential benefits to Malaysia. usual quiet way, well into its third for Pacific Cooperation decade. (MANCPEC) with its secretariat In 1994,MANCPEC’s leader,Datuk located at ISIS Malaysia and with Noordin Sopiee, also served as Chair of PECC, hosting its biennial Conference on the theme ‘Open Regionalism: The Way Forward.’ Since then, MANCPEC has participated in various task forces’ workshops, seminars, fora on regional trading agreements, foreign investment, international finance, food outlook, telecom- munications and community building.
The latest MANCPEC involvement in PECC (in collaboration with the APEC Business Advisory Council) is the International Project on ‘Demographic Change and International Labor Mobility in Participants at one of the recent Asia Pacific Roundtable Conferences the Asia Pacific Region: Implications for Business and
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Asia Pacific Economic Agenda comprising the three Cooperation (APEC) pillars of trade and investment By the time of facilitation, trade and investment the annual Early in the APEC process, an liberalisation and economic and Leaders Meeting in Eminent Persons Group (EPG) technical cooperation. Vancouver in comprising representatives from November 1997, each member economy was set At the Manila Meeting a year the APEC process up to chart the future course of later (1996), besides the had moved the trans-Pacific body.To assist in Collective Action Plans (CAPs), from a vision and the work of the EPG, Malaysia whereby member economies goal-setting phase nominated ISIS Malaysia’s first agreed to collectively undertake to that of Director-General, Datuk Noordin to improve and facilitate the implementation. Sopiee, as its delegate. conduct of trade and investment by establishing databases on The Bogor Meeting in 2004 was a tarrifs, non-trade measures Cooperation.’ MANCPEC has also major milestone in the APEC (NTMs) and trade and been contributor to the PECC’s process for it adopted the long- competition policies, the annual Pacific Economic Outlook term goals of free and open trade members also submitted their and later the State of the Region and investment in the Asia Pacific Individual Action Plans (IAPs) Report. by the year 2020 (target date towards achieving these goals. 2010 for the industrialised Malaysia’s IAP reiterated its PECC deliberations and network- economies and 2020 for the commitments to reduce tariffs ing among the tripartite developing countries). While and review NTMs. components (government, accepting these goals, Malaysia business and academia) inspired made clear its position that the At the Manila meeting also, the formation of the Asia-Pacific target dates were to be indicative APEC issued the Declaration Economic Cooperation (APEC) in and non-binding as the speed of on an APEC Framework 1989. Since then, it has liberalisation depended on the for Strengthening Economic functioned as a major source of level of economic development Cooperation and Development intellectual inputs for ideas, of the APEC members. (ECOTECH), focusing on six concepts and policy recommen- priority development areas, dations to the official APEC Adding momentum to the APEC specifically: human capital, process. process, the Osaka Summit in capital markets, economic 1995 adopted the Osaka Action infrastructure, future technolo- gies, small and medium scale industries, and quality of life through environmentally sound growth.
By the time of the annual Leaders Meeting in Vancouver in November 1997, the APEC process had moved from a vision and goal-setting phase to that of implementation. As host of the 1998 Meeting, Malaysia accorded priority to the ECOTECH theme of capacity building, especially on Participants at the Ninth Asia Pacific Roundtable human resource development
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(HRD),and harnessing technologies on East Asia Cooperation in of the future. November 1999. The subsequent East Asian Vision Group Report Unfortunately for APEC,while the recommended the creation of an process moved progressively East Asian community as a long- from 1993, the financial crisis of term goal for the region. At the 1997-98 took a heavy toll on 10th anniversary of the APT the Asian member-economies, process last year, the Second drastically affecting the future Joint Statement on East Asia direction of the trans-Pacific Cooperation was announced. body. Despite hastily cobbled recovery plans, the palpable fact APEC’s relevancy has been that the presence of the world’s further eroded with the setting strongest economies (the up of the East Asia Summit US and Japan) were unable to in December 2005, comprising provide effective leadership for the APT countries, along with the region’s recovery and Asean Australia, New Zealand and India, members having to deal with for consultation on strategic internal exigencies, caused matters of common concern. In disillusionment and pessimism view of these developments, for the APEC process for concrete unless APEC is able to re-invent cooperation to set in. itself to meet present and future challenges,the trans-Pacific body In the wake of the September 11 might well fade into the horizon. terrorist attacks in the US, the economic agenda for the 2001 Meeting in Shanghai was overshadowed by the political–security imperative of countering terrorism. For the next four years, the region’s interest in APEC continued to wane, increasing doubts about its relevancy and effectiveness among its members.
Meanwhile, a new cooperative and integrative process had been gaining ground among the 10 Asean members and their Northeast Asian neighbours, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The Asian financial crisis of 1997 provided strong impetus for the beginning of the Asean Plus Three (APT) process, leading the 13 heads of state and government to declare the unprecedented Joint Statement
18 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVES ISIS FOCUS
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVES
By Philip Mathews
Cognisant of the role it could play in providing inputs for newer approaches to meeting the national challenges of science and technology development, as well as sustainable environmental management, ISIS Malaysia set up within itself a Bureau, in 1990, to undertake policy research in the relevant fields.
Science and Technology R&D; manpower development; the Commonwealth Consultative the role of private sector; Group on Technology The launching of the Industrial promotion and encouragement Management (CCGTM) and ISIS Master Plan (IMP) in 1985 marked of technology transfer; Malaysia initiated the Langkawi a discernible strengthening of computerization; and the International Dialogue (LID) on policy focus towards science and creation of centres of excellence. Smart Partnership, the first major technology (S&T) as an impor- dialogue of its kind, to harness tant component of industrial Following the launching of the the financial, human and development strategies. The National S&T Policy, a chapter on technological resources of the IMP highlighted the ‘low level Science and Technology was, for private and public sectors. The of technology and lack the first time, included in objective of staging LID was to of indigenous capability of the Malaysia’s Fifth five-year match people, industries and technology mastery’ as well as development plan, covering the companies, nationally and ‘the short supply of engineer period from 1986 to 1990. internationally, in order to /technician level manpower’, increase trade, investment and among the structural Recognising the importance of practical commercial research, to weaknesses. utilizing, assimilating, adapting the benefit of all concerned. and generating technology for In 1986, the National Science and sustained progress, ISIS Malaysia, The National Information Technology Policy was launched. together with experts from Technology Agenda It represented a major milestone, various fields, collaborated and giving due recognition to the came out with the Action This was formulated in 1996. ISIS importance of science as an Plan for Industrial Technology Malaysia was invited to provide instrument of development. Development, which formed inputs to the framework for a the most comprehensive policy coordinated and integrated The strategies outlined in this statement on industrial technol- approach in developing the policy statement stressed ogy. The 42 recommendations three strategic elements priority in S&T to enhance social are grouped into five basic areas comprising human resource, well-being, employment, security or strategic trusts and cover a infostructure and IT-based and wealth of the nation; broad range of actions and applications. Efforts to integration with national targets designed to elevate strengthen the foundation for development plans; upgrading industrial technology levels. building a knowledge-based of S&T services; self-reliance; society and economy later led to acquisition and dissemination of In 1995, the Office of the ISIS’ involvement in another scientific information; support of Science Advisor together with major study.
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Information Superhighway Development (UNCED) began in Managing Manufacturing July 1990 and the writing began Pollution – the Experiences of ISIS formed the Experts Group on in ISIS Malaysia when it was Malaysia, Thailand and the Information Superhighway commissioned by the Ministry of Indonesia, 1991. in 1995. As part of the effort to Science, Technology and the encourage the establishment of Environment to coordinate the There were clear indications that IT and IT industries, a group of task in 1991 with financial Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand experts was convened to study assistance from UNDP. ISIS were set to follow the path to the attributes, benefits, and Malaysia assembled a core group industrialization in their pursuit challenges of the information of experts to approach the of economic development. age, with particular reference subject in an integrated manner, However, the manner it was to Malaysia in production; taking into account the achieved and the end level commerce; social change; suggestions on the framework attained would have implications international interfaces; etc. One and contents of the report from in socioeconomic dimensions, of the highlights put forward the UNCED Secretariat. such as welfare of the people and was that there must be a the environment. The study commitment towards ensuring ISIS Malaysia also initiated discussed issues of pollution that everybody has a fundamen- several studies, of which one was from the manufacturing sector tal right to an equal ability and a collaborative research project in three ASEAN countries, its opportunity to access utilize that the Harvard Institute implications, responses from the information. for International Development relevant authorities and the (HIID) and ISIS Malaysia launched public at large. It also attempted Environmental Challenges in 1992 to examine the inter- to focus attention on future relationships among natural challenges and directions of Malaysia, like many other resources, environmental quality, required responses with the developing countries, is and economic development. hindsight of experience to date. concerned with the concept and scope of sustainable The subject of environmental The National Spatial Planning development. Sustainability management and its integration Study clearly means much more than with development has then ‘keeping things as they are’. become a major concern and C ompleted in 1994, this study Sustainability must encompass challenge. The UNCED and other addressed sustainable natural development and it not only international initiatives have resource development. It was deals with stocks and flows of accentuated the fact that the recognized that from a spatial natural resources but also core issue is how to bridge a gap viewpoint, development in embraces concepts such as between ‘global thinking’ and Peninsular Malaysia during the distributional equity. Different ‘local action’. ISIS Malaysia colonial administration was perceptions and approaches prepared a report entitled ‘Local originally centred around the tin lead to different mechanisms Dimension of Environmetal mining industry, the trading and methods for attaining Management – Analyses of centres and later around the sustainability. Malaysian Institutions and Cases’ centres of ready access to which the Ministry of Foreign available infrastructure. Attempts Country Report for UNCED Affairs of Japan, commissioned to correct the regional through the International imbalances were undertaken. The preparation of the Country Development Center of Japan. Recognising the important Report for the United Nations role of natural resources Conference on Environment and development,including land,as a means to propel economic
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growth of natural resource-rich case study on MEAs in early 2000. on-going exercise is ISIS’ states, the study attempted to The February 2001 meeting contribution to the ‘Top News on address sustainability issues and reaffirmed the need to identify the Environment in Asia,’ development patterns. and prioritise the needs of published annually by IGES. developing countries, namely in Trade and Environment building capacity to handle Southeast Asian Fires and the Linkages: A Malaysian Case MEAs and in 2003 another Haze – 1998, 2006 and 2007. Study meeting was organised and aimed at promoting MEAs at ISIS Malaysia was invited by A report of a study of trade and operational level, using Singapore Institute of environment linkages for cross-cutting and function- International Affairs (SIIA) to the selected Malaysian industries based commonalities such as Dialogues on Trans-boundary was prepared for the United institutional support, integrated Haze Pollution in Southeast Asia. Nations Conference on Trade and assessment and trade. The dialogues were efforts to Development (UNCTAD) Geneva bring together stakeholders from by ISIS Malaysia in 1995. Colorado-Malaysia-Vietnam civil society organizations and Initiative on Urban think-tanks based in the region Support to Environment and Environmental management to review the impact and causes Natural Resource Research 2002 of transboundary haze pollution and Development Capacity and the efforts taken to date; to This was undertaken to explore consider and recommend new This UNDP-funded project was strategies for planning and and additional ways to resolve implemented by ISIS Malaysia in infrastructure development that the current statement of fire 1997. It was designed to assist prevent or reduce future prevention and control; and to in the development and pollution, and environmental promote policy, cooperation institutionalization of capabilities consequences of urban growth among civil society actors and for environment research and and industrial development. The public advocacy to address the policy analysis. It consisted of Initiative was funded by the US- issue. research grants for projects Asia Environmental Partnership which would complement other Programme and to facilitate the The National Policy on the on-going activities and provide initiative, A Malaysian Cleaner Environment useful and constructive inputs Production Group was formed for policy, planning and manage- consisting of SIRIM, DOE, The Bureau was commissioned ment of the environment and FMM, ENSEARCH, Greenfields by the Department of natural resources in Malaysia. Consulting, Penang Skills Environment under the then Development Center and ISIS Ministry of Science, Technology Multilateral Environmental Malaysia. and the Environment (MOSTE) to Agreements (MEAs) draft and fine-tune the National Research Advisory Panel for Policy on the Environment,which This project was undertaken by Institute of Global led to the Policy’s endorsement ISIS together with the United Environmental Strategies by the Cabinet in 2002. Nations University (UNU), ASEAN (IGES) Secretariat, Institute for Global Initial National Environmental Strategies (IGES) ISIS has been a member of IGES, Communication to UNFCCC and Ministry of Environment, based in Japan, since 1998 and Japan in early 2003. Asean has been involved in studies and In 2000,this report was produced Secretariat together with ISIS activities on environment and for the Government for Malaysia conducted the Asean resources initiated by IGES. An submission to the United Nations
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Framework Convention on steps to be taken to meet the Climate Change (UNFCCC). For national goals of 2020 and this, the Bureau worked closely beyond.The Blueprint would aim with experts from the to articulate, among others, Government, academia and fuel-mix strategies and enabling NGOs, outlining Malaysia’s efforts policies for energy, and establish in addressing the causes and guidelines for the development impacts of climate change. of the energy sector, with a view to meeting the challenges Steering Group on Malaysia will face as a Biodiversity Conservation prospective net importer of energy. ISIS was part of this smart partnership grouping led by BP Task Force on Sustainable Malaysia, which worked towards Development biodiversity conservation. Their activities included capacity The Bureau was invited by the building, training of trainers and National Academy of Sciences to promotion of biodiversity- be a member of this Task Force related careers among school which met regularly to leavers. brainstorm on current issues related to sustainable develop- Energy Studies ment, in particular towards providing input to the country’s The Bureau has been engaged delegations to relevant in studies pertaining to energy, international conferences. including the EPU-commis- sioned study on 'Energy Policy Analysis and Planning towards 2020', completed in 1995, and more recently has been in the midst of conducting the Energy Blueprint (EB) Study – 2007- 2008. The EB study was initiated by the Energy Commission of Malaysia for the purposes of developing options for the electricity supply industry within the context of the national energy economy; identifying strategic issues for a sustainable energy future; and proposing
22 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 THE COLONIAL HOUSE ISIS FOCUS
ISIS Malaysia – set on a hilllock ISIS Malaysia is housed in a picture-perfect colonial building set on a hillock in the lush Lake Gardens of Kuala Lumpur. It overlooks THE Parliament Road on one side and a valley on the other.At one time the COLONIAL residence of British officers, its illustrious neighbours include the Parliament House, the National Monument (built as a Memorial for HOUSE soldiers killed in defence of the country) as well as the Royal Lake Club, a watering hole for the well-heeled that was also built during By Thangam Ramnath colonial times.
There is a gracious lawn in front of the building (perhaps the scene in days bygone of elegant tea parties), and a road rings the lawn to the front porch.The car park on the side of the building overlooks a valley from which such denizens of the wild as families of monkeys, snakes and winged creatures of all kinds have made regular forays into ISIS grounds. The library The printing room The administration office as well as the offices of the Chairman and CEO, and the Director General, are housed in the old building while the research staff occupy a modern three-storey annex. A library with an extensive collection of research material, as well as a printing room make up the other buildings on the grounds. A conference hall occupies the whole top floor of the annex with glass windows on three sides to capture the stunning views of the lush green surrounds.
The 3-storey annex was built in the mid-1980s when ISIS Malaysia moved into their current premises from the APDC building in Jalan The conference hall Duta, where it all began in 1983.
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ISIS: WHERE EVEN questions posed in the conferences, colloquium and fora STRONGLY DIVIDED VIEWS that were attended by WERE DEBATED intellectuals, academicians, political and social activists and media practitioners. By Tan Sri Mazlan Nordin
ISIS Malaysia has contributed much to the nation and the region But there were also timely since its establishment in 1983. From in-house forums to reminders, as when ISIS’ first international conferences, ISIS has proven its versatility and chairman Tun Hussein Onn spoke effectiveness. on Japan’s relationship with countries in the region: `There will be but trouble and tribulation should Japan seek to The Institute of Strategic and standing between nations play a military role in our area.’ International Studies (ISIS) and assist in resolving some Malaysia celebrated its 25th problems between nations, if There was also the straight- anniversary on April 8, 2008. any; forward explanation from former •To draw the best ideas and Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Around the same time, ISIS had practices on different sectors Mohamad on Malaysia’s Look convened a forum on ‘Malaysia- from its interactions with East Policy :It does not mean that Indonesia Bilateral Relations: other think-tanks in the we want Malaysians to be Assessment and the Way region and the world, and Japanese. We do not mean that Forward’. Barely two weeks • To work for the nation and the Malaysians should eat maki sushi earlier it held a conference on government of the day, not and shabu shabu, and wear Islam Hadhari. And just two days for politicians and political kimonos. It does not mean we after the national elections on parties. should per se buy Japanese or March 8, there was a forum on sell Japanese. It does not mean the political tsunami during the ISIS has gained international the awarding per se of contracts polls, attended by some 300 recognition following the to the Japanese. diplomats from the foreign participation of foreign embassies, amongst others. dignitaries in its varied Then there was the reminder programmes. Among them have from the other ISIS chairman,Tan The above events reflect ISIS’s been: UK Prime Minister Sri Dr. Noordin Sopiee when he firm commitment to its Margaret Thatcher, South African spoke in a conference of Third multi-dimensional role as set out President Nelson Mandela, US World countries: `We need when it was established in 1983, Secretary of State Dr. Henry neither despondent pessimism namely: Kissinger, Indian Prime Minister nor wild-eyed optimism, Manmohan Singh (then but cold-blooded realism. Co- •To generate policy ideas and Secretary-General of the South operation can only be imposed engage in public policy Commission), Cambodia’s Prince on the basis of realism and full research and analysis, and Norodom Sihanouk, Tanzanian consideration of the national advocate solutions; President Dr. Julius Nyerere, interest of each of the countries.’ • To act as a catalyst for new Australian Prime Minister ideas and visions to promote Malcolm Fraser, and UN people-centred policies and Secretary-General Dr. Boutros Writing on the signing of the plans; Boutros-Gali. agreement which ended the • To facilitate public discussions Communist Party of Malaya’s on specific issues; Strongly-divided views were armed struggle in 1989, and the • To promote mutual under- often debated and tough lesson learned from the
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Emergency, Tan Sri Noordin said: 2020; the book titled Contesting `The hearts and minds of the • Polytechnic Development Malayness: Malay Identity people are never won for good Study – commissioned by the Across Boundaries (Singapore or once and for all. They have to Ministry of Education to study University Press). be won every day, every week and make recommendations and every month.’ on the future development of Another is the study on polytechnic education in population figures in Malaysia. No less pertinent was the advice Malaysia. There was mention then that the from former Deputy Prime Malay population would increase Minister of Malaysia, Musa Hitam, In addition ISIS has participated, to 62 per cent in 2010. on political realities: `Any assisted or helped initiate a consideration of a national number of programmes, both Having performed its sometimes economic policy after 1990 when nationally and internationally. onerous tasks with relish since its the New Economic Policy expires They include the following: establishment, there is much will be futile without accepting hope that ISIS would continue to certain political realities in the • South-south co-operation – do the same or even more – in country. Malaysia is still multi- ISIS played a part in initiating the years ahead. racial, and different or even the idea for a commission for divergent perceptions and the South; prejudices still persist.’ • Asia Pacific Roundtable Presenting a paper at a forum on Conference (APR), 1987–1992. the NEP at ISIS in 1989, he added: From 1993 the APR has been `The differences are in fact sponsored by Asean-ISIS. specifically represented by the Malaysia has been the host for political party structure.’ this meeting for the last 21 years. ISIS has also been engaging in consultancies and undertaking The present ISIS chairman is policy-relevant analyses and Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar problem-oriented studies in Hassan, formerly Director- consultation with experts and General of the National Unity institutions within or outside Department. He had earlier Malaysia. Some of these are: served in the Trade and Industry Ministry and Home Ministry. •Study to review the process Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar and procedures involved in Hassan was among speakers in employing maids from the East Asia Forum Dialogue in Indonesia as commissioned Sydney recently. by the Economic Planning Unit among others; A relatively recent addition to • Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand ISIS as Director-General is Growth Triangle: Malaysian Professor Dr. Mahani Zainal perspective – a project study Abidin who recently presented a concerned with the paper on `Demographic Changes development of the growth in Asia: Factors of Uncertainty or triangle in North Malaysia. Source of Strength.’ •Malacca Strategic Development – to project To all of these should be added future development trends of studies on Malaysia as done by a Malacca towards the year foreign think-tank. An example is
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ISIS MALAYSIA CONSULTANCIES AND PROJECTS
Compiled by Susan Teoh
ISIS Malaysia has been engaged in consultancies and undertaking policy-relevant analysis and problem-oriented studies sometimes in collaboration with experts and institutions within or outside Malaysia. Some of these were:
1. Energy Blueprint
A study commissioned by the Energy Commission of Malaysia. It is still in progress.
2. Study to Review the Process and Procedures Involved in Employing Foreign Maids from Indonesia.
A consultancy report commissioned by EPU/MTEN/NIND, Prime Minister’s Department, Malaysia, January 2008.
3. Evaluation of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Malaysia.
This study, conducted under the Center for Japan Studies, was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, December 2007.
4. UNDP, ISIS and MIER
ISIS Malaysia jointly authored a publication entitled ‘Malaysia: International Trade, Growth, Poverty Reduction and Human Development’ along with the UNDP and the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER). This publication, and the UNDP Human Development Report, was subsequently launched by the Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Abdul Najib Tun Abdul Razak on 4 July 2006 at the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel and a panel discussion was held.
5. The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Vision 1440H.
ISIS Malaysia was engaged by the Islamic Development Bank to be the Lead Consultant for the IDB 1440H Commission. ISIS Malaysia also helped draft the Commission’s proposal for IDB Vision 1440H. The Vision Commission’s Report was later accepted by the IDB Management. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was the Chairman of the Commission.The IDB Vision 1440H was launched in March 2006.
6. Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police.
ISIS Malaysia assisted ‘The Royal Commission To Enhance The Operation And Management of The Royal Malaysian Police’,in the preparation of its Report to the King and the Government of Malaysia. The Report was submitted by The Royal Commission in May 2005. The Royal Commission submitted over 120 recommendations regarding enhancement of the performance of the Royal Malaysian Police for the consideration of government.
26 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 CONSULTANCIES AND PROJECTS ISIS FOCUS
7 Malaysia’s Knowledge-Economy Master Plan
A Master Plan was prepared by ISIS Malaysia under the guidance of the steering committee chaired by the Ministry of Finance. This resulted in the publication: Malaysia’s Knowledge-Economy Master Plan: Making the Quantum Leap to the K- Based Economy, September 2002.
8. Strategic Plan for Education 2020
This study was conducted upon the request of the Ministry of Education. The objective is to recom- mend policies to help in the formulation of a Strategic Plan for education towards the year 2020. An international Brains Trust on Education Conference was held at ISIS in 2002 to assist in the prepara- tion of the Strategic Plan.
9. Malaysia Initial National Communication
ISIS Malaysia was the project manager of this report, which was submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, by the Ministry of Science,Technology and the Environment in July 2000.The study outlined Malaysia’s efforts in addressing the causes and impacts of climate change and the strategies that have been pursued to achieve national development goals.
10. Polytechnic Development Study
This project was commissioned by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in June 1997, to study and make recommendations on the future development of polytechnic education in Malaysia.
11 Housing Industry in Malaysia
A study was commissioned by Cagamas Berhad to undertake a nationwide study on the housing industry. Findings from the study were published in a book:Housing the Nation: A Definitive Study, in 1997.
12. Trade and Environment Linkages – Malaysian Country Study
This project, commissioned by the Asean Secretariat in May 1995 and completed in August 1996, was jointly undertaken by the Bureau of International Economic Studies (BIES) and the Bureau of Environment, Science, and Technology (BEST) of ISIS Malaysia. Its aim was to examine whether there was a need to adopt common environmental policies at the Asean level in order to maximise the gains accruing from the Asean Free Trade Area by ensuring that national environmental policies and regulations did not distort the free movement of goods, services, and capital within the single Asean market.
13. Malacca Strategic Development
This study analysed and reviewed the development and trends of the economy and projected future development trends of Malacca towards the year 2020. It was submitted to the Malacca State Government in August 1995.
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14. National Policy on the Environment (NPE)
ISIS through the Bureau of Science, Technology, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment (BEST) assisted the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) and Department of Environment (DOE) in fine-tuning the NPE document. Following the collaborative work of the drafting committee (MOSTE, DOE and ISIS), a National workshop was held in ISIS in November 1994, leading to the Cabinet’s acceptance in 2002.
15. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle: Malaysian Perspective
This study was concerned with the development of the growth triangle in North Malaysia. It was pre- pared by the Bureau of National Economic Policy Studies, ISIS Malaysia in August 1994.
16. Commission for A New Asia
ISIS Malaysia played a contributing role in the development of the Commission for A New Asia. A book was published entitled: Towards a New Asia: A Report of the Commission for A New Asia, in 1994.
17. ISIS-HIID Project
The ISIS-HIID Conference on the Malaysian Economy from June 1-3, 1992 launched a two-year collaborative study between ISIS Malaysia and the HIID (Harvard Institute for International Development). This was a study on the Malaysian economy, with the aim to look at the nation’s recent development experience and examine the necessary conditions, given present and future constraints, for it to join the ranks of developed countries.Two books were published as a result of this project:
1. Snodgrass, Donald R. Successful Economic Development in a Multi-Ethnic Society: the Malaysia Case. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Institute for International Development, Harvard University, 1995.
2. Vincent, R. Jeffrey, Rozali Mohamed Ali and Associates. Environment and Development in a Resource-Rich Economy: Malaysia under the New Economic Policy. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Institute for International Development, Harvard University, 1997.
18. An Initiative for the Greening of the World
ISIS Malaysia assisted the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment in the preparation of the report ‘An Initiative for the Greening of the World’ which was published in 1992.
19. Country Report Malaysia
ISIS Malaysia was commissioned by the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment to prepare the Country Report for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992. The report preparation involved the assembly of existing and available material and results of extensive research as well as studies that were carried out in the country.
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20. Penang Strategic Development Plan, 1991-2000
This project was to set the broad framework to guide Penang into the 21st century. The final report was submitted to the Penang State Government in October 1991.
21. Vision 2020
ISIS Malaysia contributed to the development of the Vision 2020. The publication on Vision 2020, entitled Malaysia: The Way Forward was presented by Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed at the inaugural meeting of the Malaysian Business Council on 28 February 1991.
22. Malaysian Business Council
ISIS Malaysia was the Secretariat for the Malaysian Business Council and its Centre for Economic Research & Services was established within the Institute in 1991.The Executive Director of the Centre was Dr. Noordin Sopiee and the Deputy Executive Director was Dr. Ismail Salleh.
23. Panel of Eminent Persons
A Panel of Eminent Persons was established to study and make the necessary recommendations on strengthening and revamping the structure and mechanism of Asean, in particular the Asean Secretariat.The panel members were:Tan Sri Mohd. Ghazali Shafie, (Chairman), Professor Mohammad Sadli, Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Dr. Jacques Pelkmans and Emeritus Professor Gladstone Everard Mills. A Report, ‘Strengthening the Structure and Mechanism of Asean With Special Reference to the Asean Secretariat’,was prepared for the Asean Standing Committee by the Panel in 1991.
24. Commonwealth Study
A Review of Malaysia’s Position in the Commonwealth was submitted to the Government in 1990.
25. South-South Cooperation
ISIS Malaysia played a part in initiating the idea of a Commission for the South. The Commission for the South was established in 1987,and was initiated by Dato’Seri Dr.Mahathir Mohamad after a meet- ing organized in Kuala Lumpur by the Third World Foundation and ISIS Malaysia. The South Commission produced a book: The Challenge to the South: The Report of the South Commission. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990.
26. OECD Dynamic Asian Economies
ISIS was the Malaysian representative to the OECD Dynamic Asian Economies dialogues from 1989-1992.
27. Japan-Southeast Asia (JASA) Conferences
ISIS and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation of Japan jointly initiated a series of conferences with the aim of providing a forum for Southeast Asian countries and Japan to exchange philosophical ideas about policies which had or had not made
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each country resilient,taking into account domestic capabilities,constraints and circumstances.Three main meetings were held – the First JASA in 1989, JASA II in 1991 and JASA III in 1992.
86. Malaysia’s Public Sector
A study and report on ‘The Management of Malaysia’s Public Sector Size’ was submitted to the Ministry of Finance in 1987.
29. Group of Fourteen on Asean Economic Co-operation and Integration
ISIS Malaysia was delegated as the Secretariat for the Group of Fourteen (G-14) on Asean Economic Cooperation and assisted in the preparation of the G-14 Report entitled: Asean The Way Forward: The Report of the Group of Fourteen on Asean Economic Cooperation and Integration, published in 1987.
30. Asia Pacific Roundtable Conference
ISIS initiated the Asia Pacific Roundtable Conference in 1987. From 1993 to the present it has been held under the sponsorship of Asean-ISIS. ISIS Malaysia has been the host for this meeting for the last 21 years.
31. East Asia Congress
ISIS initiated the East Asia Congress in 2003 and has been hosting the event annually since then for the last 5 years.
32. Malaysia National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (MANCPEC)
ISIS Malaysia has been holding the chairmanship of MANCPEC since its establishment.
33. Council for Security Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific (CSCAP) Malaysia
ISIS Malaysia is the lead institution for CSCAP Malaysia and acts as the CSCAP Secretariat for Malaysia.
34. Public Seminar on Rising Prices
ISIS Malaysia has been tasked with conducting a series of public seminars entitled: ‘Public Seminar: Rising Prices and People’s Welfare:Current Measures and Future Steps’across Malaysia.Meetings were held over the months of April and May 2008, in Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Kuala Trengganu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Johor Baru.
35. ISIS Forum
An ISIS Forum entitled ‘The 2008 General Election Results:Outcome and Implications for Malaysia’,was held on 10 March 2008, with three lead speakers, namely Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Prof. Dato’Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharudin and Ms.Rita Sim,and was chaired by Tun Musa Hitam and Dato’Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan.
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ISIS PERSONALITIES, PAST AND PRESENT
Malays National Organisation). In was granted the soubriquet Bapa 1950, he was elected UMNO Perpaduan (Father of Unity). He Secretary General. Tun Hussein was married to Toh Puan Suhaila however left UMNO in 1951 to Tan Sri Haji Mohd Noah and had join his father in forming two sons (one of whom, the Independence of Malaya Hishamuddin Hussein Onn, is the Party (IMP). With IMP losing Education Minister) and four momentum,Tun Hussein went to daughters. He underwent a TUN HUSSEIN BIN London to study law at Lincoln's coronary bypass in early 1981.On DATO' ONN Inn, qualifying as a Barrister-at- 17 July of the same year, he Law. He came back as a certified retired from active politics and lawyer and practiced in Kuala relinquished the post of prime Tun Hussein bin Dato' Onn, the Lumpur. minister. He died on the 29 May third Prime Minister of Malaysia 1990, at the age of 68. (1922-1990), was Chairman of Tun Hussein returned to politics ISIS Malaysia from 1984 until his in 1968 after being persuaded by death in 1990. He was the son of the then Prime Minister Tun Dato Onn Jaafar one of the Abdul Razak to rejoin UMNO. He founders of the United Malays won in the general elections in National Organisation (UMNO). 1969 and was appointed as the education minister. Tun Hussein’s Tun Hussein received his early meteoric rise continued when on education in Singapore and at August 13, 1973 he succeeded the English College in Johor the late Tun Dr. Ismail as the Bahru. He joined the Johor Deputy Prime Minister of Military Forces as a cadet in 1940 Malaysia. On 15 January, 1976, and was sent a year later to after the death of Tun Razak, he the Indian Military Academy was appointed as Prime Minister. in Dehradun. Upon completion Tun Hussein was renowned for TAN SRI DATO’ DR. of his training, he was absorbed NOORDIN SOPIEE into the Indian Army and served stressing the issue of unity in the Middle East when the through policies aimed at Second World War broke out. rectifying economic imbalances The late Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Noordin between the communities. He Sopiee (1944–2005) was Tun Hussein, who came from a was looked upon as being very Chairman and CEO of the family with deep nationalistic sincere in his struggle for racial Institute of Strategic and spirit and political roots, resigned unity and had a reputation for International Studies (ISIS) from the civil service to go into being firm against anyone who Malaysia from 1997 to 2005. Prior politics. In 1949, he became the tried to create racial unrest in the to that he was ISIS Director- first youth chief of UMNO (United country. It was due to this that he General. A graduate of the
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London School of Economics and Pahang (DIMP), Panglima Setia (and subsequently as its CEO and the author of several books Mahkota (PSM), Darjah Gemilang Chairman) that he made the and a few hundred articles on Pangkuan Negeri Pulau Pinang biggest contributions to the economics, politics and strategic (DGPN) and the National Order of country. `He would declare that planning, Tan Sri Noordin began Merit (Ordre National du Merite) his mission was to plant ideas his working career in 1972 as a of France. into minds of the policy-makers leader writer with New Straits and help nurture the right ones Times.Less than a decade later he Eulogies for Dr. Noordin were to fruition.’ was promoted to the post of many. In the words of ISIS Group Editor. In 1984 he was Chairman and CEO Dato’ Seri Datuk Jawhar described Tan Sri appointed the first Director- Jawhar Hassan, Dr. Noordin `built Noordin’s passing on with these General of the then newly-estab- ISIS from scratch, and put it on words:`a light has gone out….it lished Institute of Strategic and the world map.’ He went on to grieves us, his friends to see him International Studies. say,`his views reflected the mind go, still young and with so much of a rationalist and a pragmatist, to do.’ Tan Sri Noordin also held many but he was also imbued with a positions in public sector and sense of idealism, by what he private sector organisations. thought would help make for a He was Chairman of the better world.’ He described Tan Malaysia National Committee for Sri Noordin as `a combination of Pacific Economic Co-operation intellectual prowess and writing (MANCPEC), and Chairman of – a formidable combination in Monash University Malaysia. the world of ideas.’
He played an active role as an Mr. Philip Mathews, Assistant Executive Committee Member of Director-General at ISIS, who had the National Economic Action the privilege of working with Dr. Council (NEAC), the Board of Noordin as his colleague at the Directors of Malaysia’s Central New Straits Times as well as at ISIS, Bank and the ASEM (Asia Europe) called him the ‘quintessential Task Force on Trade, Investment thinker’ and ‘a great visionary.’ He DATO’ SERI MOHAMED and Finance. said ISIS was Tan Sri Noordin’s JAWHAR HASSAN ‘idea mine where he used his Tan Sri Noordin was a Member of tried and tested methods on the Emerging Markets Eminent anybody and everybody he came Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Person’s Group on Reform into contact with. …from leaders Hassan served with the of the International Financial in every profession who sought government before he joined Architecture and the National him out to his research Information Technology Council. officers and his research staff.’ ISIS Malaysia as Deputy Director- He was one of the 100 members General in May 1990. He was of the Club of Rome. Soo Ewe Jin, Deputy Executive appointed Director-General in Editor at The Star, who was an March 1997 and was He continued to be actively analyst at ISIS Malaysia and also subsequently appointed involved in media work. He was past Editor of the ISIS Focus, Chairman and CEO of ISIS Adviser to the China Central declared he felt a sense of deep Malaysia on 9 January, 2006. Television International (CCTV) personal loss with the death of and columnist for a number of Tan Sri Noordin. `Doc’, as Tan Sri His positions in government leading international and local Noordin was fondly referred to included Director-General, newspapers. `had a way with words, be it Latin Department of National Unity; or otherwise. Though schooled Under-Secretary, Ministry of He was the recipient of many as an economist and political awards including: Darjah Mulia scientist, he cut his teeth as a Home Affairs; Director (Analysis) Seri Melaka (DMSM), Darjah journalist…’ However, Mr. Soo Research Division, Prime Kebesaran Indera Mahkota continued, it was as DG of ISIS Minister’s Department; and
32 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 ISIS PERSONALITIES, PAST AND PRESENT ISIS FOCUS
Principal Assistant Secretary, and Expert and Eminent Person, Dr. Mahani was the Honorary National Security Council.He also for the purposes of the Asean Secretary of the Malaysian served as Counsellor in the Regional Forum (ARF) Register. Economic Association. She is Malaysian Embassies in Programme Associate of the Indonesia and Thailand. American Committee on Asian Economic Studies and Associate Dato’ Seri Jawhar was Project Research Fellow of the Malaysian Coordinator of Malaysia’s Master Institute of Economic Research. Plan on the Knowledge-Based From 1998-2000 she was a Board Economy. He also helped draft Member of the Malaysia the Report of the Royal Employees Provident Fund. In Commission to Enhance the April 2001, Dr. Mahani was Operation and Management of appointed as the Head of the the Royal Malaysian Police. Special Consultancy Team on Globalisation of the National Dato’ Seri Jawhar served as Economic Action Council. a member of the Penang Knowledge Economy Information Dr. Mahani was appointed as the Communications Technology Economic Adviser to Bank Council (K-ICT Council) since its DR. MAHANI ZAINAL ABIDIN Industri & Teknologi Malaysia inception. He was heavily Berhad from 2003 – 2005. She involved in the formulation of Dr. Mahani Zainal Abidin was also served as Deputy Chairman the K-ICT Blueprint in support of appointed Director-General, of the National Accreditation the government’s goal of making Institute of Strategic and Board from May 2003 until Penang a fully developed state International Studies, Malaysia in October 2007. by 2010. May 2007. In 2005, Dr. Mahani was appoint- Dato’ Seri Jawhar was also the Dr. Mahani Zainal Abidin ed as the Deputy Director- lead drafter of the Islamic was previously Professor in General of the Department of Development Bank’s Vision 1440 the Department of Applied Higher Education, Ministry of Hijrah document. Economics at the Faculty of Higher Education Malaysia. Economics and Administration, His other positions include: University of Malaya. She She was invited as a Former Executive Council obtained a Ph.D. (Development Distinguished Visiting Scholar to Member of the National Economics) from the University the John Curtin Institute of Economic Action Council (NEAC); of London in 1992. Her research Public Policy, Curtin University of Member, National Unity Advisory interests are in the areas of Technology, Perth, Australia in Panel, Malaysia; Non-Executive industrial policy, international February 2008. Chairman, New Straits Times; trade and regional groupings, Member of the Board of and economic structural Directors, Media Prima Sdn. Bhd.; transformation. In January 1998, Co-Chair, Network of East Asia Dr. Mahani was appointed a Think-tanks (NEAT) 2005-2006; member of the Working Group and Chairman, Malaysian for the National Economic Action National Committee, Pacific Council (NEAC), a body Economic Cooperation Council established by the Malaysian (PECC). He is also presently Co- Government to formulate Chair, Council for Security measures to initiate recovery Cooperation in the Asia Pacific from the 1997 economic and (CSCAP) for a period of two years financial crisis.
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was appointed Ambassador to Indonesia and the USSR. He was also Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York, and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In TAN SRI ZAINAL ABIDIN 1988, he retired from the DATO' AHMAD ZABRI BIN SULONG Malaysian Foreign Service. IBRAHIM
Tan Sri Zainal Abidin Sulong Tan Sri Zainal is a Member of the was Chairman of ISIS from 1990 Malaysia National Committee, Dato' Ahmad Zabri Bin Ibrahim to 1997. Prior to that he Pacific Basin Economic Council was Deputy Director-General was Chairman of the Malaysian (PBEC), and of the Steering (Management) of ISIS Malaysia Industrial Development Authority Committee of Asean-Japan from 1983 to 1987. Prior to that (MIDA) the principal Malaysian Businessmen Meeting (AJBM). he was Deputy Director (1975- government agency responsible He is former Vice-Chairman 83) and Chief Research Officer at for the promotion and of the Malaysian National INTAN. He has a Masters in Public co-ordination of industrial Committee for Pacific Economic Administration from University development in the country. Co-operation (MANCPEC) and of Southern California, Los Tan Sri Zainal Abidin Sulong Fellow of the Institut Tadbiran Angeles, USA and a Bachelor of began his career as a Awam Negara (INTAN). Arts (Hons) in History from Malaysian diplomat in 1957. He University of Malaya.
ISIS SENIOR STAFF
Haji Mohamed Dr. Stephen Leong Philip Mathews Thamby Bin Md. Steven Wong Assistant Assistant Ibrahim Assistant Director-General Director-General Assistant Director-General Director-General
34 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS ISIS FOCUS
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
ISIS staff, past and present, have contributed to the establishment of the institute as the premier think-tank of Malaysia. In conjunction with our 25th Anniversary, several former staff members and individuals associated with the Institute share their recollections.
ZAINUDDIN BAHARI during the closed sessions personalities from all spectrums among staff members. However of society to sit together and talk ‘Fresh perpectives’ the presence of practitioners about the issues of the day. Many allowed for a more balanced times, such meetings were held I was seconded to ISIS for two presentation. On many occasions behind closed doors where the years during its formative period. the inclusion of officers not people could be as frank as We had our first office at immediately related to the issue possible and could disagree Persiaran Duta and later moved being discussed also allowed for without being disagreeble. The to the Lake Gardens. Almost half the introduction of fresh role played by ISIS in shaping the personnel were officers perspectives. national policies cannot be seconded from various govern- underplayed. As the late Tan Sri ment agencies and the other half Dato' Zainuddin was an ISIS Dr. Noordin Sopiee put it, ISIS directly recruited. There were fellow in the late 80s Malaysia set the trend for the hardly a dozen of us, not emergence of various think- including the support staff. tanks in the country but was able SOO EWE JIN to remain truly primus inter pares, The small nature of the or first among equals. organization allowed and indeed ‘It was a journalist’s dream fostered a close rapport among posting’ Soo Ewe Jin, deputy executive the officers. Dr. Noordin himself editor at The Star, was at an would frequently drop into our The remarkable thing about analyst ISIS Malaysia from July cubicles for a chat. While each of working at ISIS Malaysia was 1988 to June 1991 us had our own field of expertise, seeing the regular stream of major national, regional and important people coming and international issues were usually going. From the smaller in-house DATUK ZAINAL AZNAM YUSOF discussed with all officers talks to major conferences, every present. This practice important visitor to the country ‘Contribution to policy making’ encouraged officers to have somehow found his or her way interests in fields outside their into ISIS. In a sense, it was I spent a few years at ISIS as its areas of expertise. a journalist's dream posting. Deputy Director–General in- Although my primary charge of economics and also as A small number of officers were responsibility was to document a Director of the Board of the academicians and the rest all the events for ISIS Focus, I was Institute in the 1990s. practitioners.There seemed to be able to alert and assist journalists a natural tendency for who wanted to interview these Three areas of work stood out academicians to be rather long personalities. But I have always during my tenure at ISIS: the on theory and short on felt that the more important role new work of the economics of practicality. This was observed ISIS played was to get national education, the preparation of the Knowledge-Based Economy
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Master Plan and the work on the in which it conceded its views Tan Siok Choo , who is now Asian financial crisis at the were wrong. Vice-President of Noordin National Economic Action Sopiee and Associates , was a Council (NEAC) which led to the ISIS also helped to shape the Visiting Fellow at ISIS publication of the recovery plan. debate with Singapore over the Malaysia I hope the work in these water issue. By supervising the areas did make some useful issue of a booklet and a series of contributions to policy making advertisements in the Asian Wall DR. CHANDRA MUZAFFAR and economic recovery. Street Journal on this issue, ISIS helped to simplify a complex ‘I’m always hospitable to On this occasion of ISIS’ 25th issue into one undeniable fact – different perpectives and anniversary, I would like to that Singapore pays only 3 sen views’ extend my best wishes to the for the 1,000 gallons of water it Institute. I hope it will scale buys from Johor. I learnt about the imminent greater heights as a leading launch of ISIS from the ‘horse’s think-tank and make further On the issue of using English to mouth,’as it were. Months before contributions to nation-building teach Maths and Science, ISIS the event, the late Tan Sri Dr. in these challenging times. brought together experts from Noordin Sopiee, then the Editor- the government and private in-Chief of the New Straits Datuk Zainal Aznam Yusof was sector. For many participants, Times, took me out for dinner ISIS Deputy-Director General including myself, the meetings one evening and spoke at from August 1995 till August were educational. great length about this 2002 new organisation that the Despite disparate views, the government was going to recommendations by ISIS establish under his stewardship. TAN SIOK CHOO were pragmatic, educationally Noordin was really excited about creditable and largely accepted creating a space in society that ‘ISIS pivotal role largely due by the government. One would undertake serious analysis to personal rather than memorable aspect was that the of policy issues confronting the institutional factors’ meetings were scheduled to nation. Both of us had always enable participants to watch key lamented the lack of thinking 1st September 1998 was a matches during the 2002 World and reflection on some of our memorable day for me for two Cup. most fundamental challenges. reasons. It was the day I joined ISIS, and the day Malaysia ISIS’ pivotal role in government Right from the outset I was imposed selective capital policy making has been largely involved in ISIS’ seminars and controls. Since then, my life has due to personal rather than conferences. Though my been enriched by my association institutional factors. The late Tan perspectives on certain national with ISIS. Sri Dr. Noordin was an open- concerns did not coincide with minded person whose good the positions adopted by the Although IMF representatives humour, wit and intellectual powers-that-be, my views were criticised Malaysia’s capital vigour enlivened many debates, received with respect. ISIS has controls, it is a tribute to the while Datuk Seri Jawhar, the always been hospitable to late Tan Sri Dr. Noordin Sopiee’s current chairman and CEO, has a different perspectives and views. personality that discussions were razor sharp mind and an This is one of the strengths of ISIS free of personal invective. uncanny ability to puncture that should be enhanced in the Furthermore,Tan Sri’s persuasive- arguments that have more years ahead. At the same time, ness was probably one of several pretension than academic merit. ISIS has, true to its mission, factors that prompted the IMF to sought to provide policy-makers issue a report several years later
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with informed inputs on matters Research for research’s sake may My heartiest congratulations to of national interest. be intriguing, but tends to be of ISIS Malaysia are due on this, its limited scope and application. Silver Anniversary. As Malaysia I continue to participate in ISIS Academic research may also and East Asia in particular activities. The present Chairman, yield additional data for move into a more interesting, Dato’Seri Jawhar Hassan, is also a satisfying intellectual curiosity, challenging and opportune dear friend. We share common but again may not reach beyond period, no doubt so will the perspectives on a variety of a defined community of scholars Institute and its work. issues, both national and or even move past contentious international. We keep in close theorizing. Bunn Nagara, Associate Editor touch with one another. of Star Publications, was Senior Think-tanks, however, are Analyst at ISIS Malaysia from Jawhar and his team of able and practice-oriented, reality-based 1991 to 1995 dedicated researchers and research entities with a savvy analysts will have to address combination of the latest field realities and aspirations of findings and clear policy IMRAN LIM a different order within a objectives in the larger public changing landscape that is interest. Their work therefore has ‘Memorable, interesting, enrich- responding to new pulls and the widest political, economic ing’ pressures. I have no doubt that and cultural relevance for the ISIS will meet the challenges that deepest social consequence and On my first day in ISIS I was,to my lie ahead with honesty and significance. surprise, to attend a `Conference courage. As a long-standing on National Integration.’ What a friend of ISIS, I wish After a quarter of a century, pleasant way to start, I was you the very best. I shall always Malaysia’s pioneering think-tank, thinking, doing nothing but keep you in my prayers. the Institute of Strategic and listening to intellectuals, International Studies (ISIS) government officials, academics Dr. Chandra Muzaffar is Malaysia, remains the premier and various other experts Noordin Sopiee Professor of think-tank in the country. If its expounding ideas on how we Global Studies, Universiti Sains work is not always as familiar to could achieve national unity Malaysia, Penang, and the general public as its among the various states President, International importance suggests, it would of Malaysia and it's diverse Movement for a Just World be because much of it population. The Conference was (JUST) applies unobtrusively and more supposed to be part of a series effectively through select, initiated by Dr. James leveraged channels for greater Ongkili, a former minister under BUNN NEGARA policy efficacy. then Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir’s cabinet. His brother, ‘Leveraged channels for greater Dramatic headlines and column Dr. Maximus Ongkili, the current policy making’ inches are seldom the best Minister of Technology, Science measure of meaningful impact. and Innovation, then a staff of There are research centres, With a fair degree of national and ISIS, was also actively involved in academic institutes and then international renown already the Conference. Unfortunately, there are think-tanks. The main well established, ISIS Malaysia the Conference Series was differences lie in their origins, continues to work with a discontinued after Dr. James approaches and end results, quiet confidence in its Ongkili left the Cabinet. which in turn depend on own proven competence and their starting points, chosen perspicacity through a range of Well, my carefree time in ISIS trajectories and intended specialisations. came to an abrupt end when I purposes. was assigned to write a paper on
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the `Five-Day Working Week.’ Such were the early lessons I name was without a doubt Eager to impress, I immersed learnt, that I survived in ISIS until synonymous with the growth myself fully into research, I decided to retire in 1999. It was and reputation of ISIS.It was such running through statistical data, the most memorable, enriching an interesting and enriching calculating cost-and-benefit and interesting part of my total experience to listen to him speak ratios and analysing time-series career path in my working life. or present a paper. With his rich on time gains or losses. However, Working among so many store of knowledge, intellect, when I presented my paper to Dr. intellectuals with Ph.D.s and sense of humour, wit and Noordin, I was shocked to be told Masters Degrees, one could not impeccable English expressions, that that was not the style of slacken by presenting mediocre he never failed to impress writing he wanted. I was still work. Work excellence was the the listener. At times he may locked in the mentality of the least to be expected of its have presented ideas which private sector where the style professional staffers. During that at first glance would have was `cost-and-benefit analysis’ in time, there were about sixteen appeared outlandish, but on statistical form. What Dr. Noordin Ph.D.s and over thirty Masters further insight, would eventually wanted was a simple pro-and- Degree holders among its convince us that he was right con argument in essay form in full time and part time after all. Such was the man, that good expressive English. It was professionals – a staff comple- it would be difficult to forget my first failure, so to speak, and I ment to rival even the most him, though he is no longer with had to reorientate my writing highly qualified public or private us now. style. sector organisations. It is also notable that Tan Sri Dr. After my report was subjected to Working in ISIS was thus Noordin left a worthy and a merciless and critically-intense a mixture of pleasantries, painful capable successor in Datuk Seri brain-storming session, it was research, meeting deadlines, Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, to finally ready for submission to attending seminars and carry on the good name of ISIS. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun conferences and presentations ISIS was and still is, the premier Dr. Mahathir. But alas, before it of papers, both locally and `think-tank’ of Malaysia, with an could even be submitted to him, internationally. It was an ideal undiminished role of intellectual the Prime Minister made a job with a good balance of discourse, source of many new pre-emptive remark which was functions: to think, to generate ideas, policy research and to stop the report dead in its policies, to advise, to collate and consultancy. Credit must be tracks: `Over my dead body to disseminate ideas for change. accorded to the new Chairman would I agree to a Five-Day The multi-disciplinary functions and CEO of ISIS, Datuk Seri Week!’ He must have got wind of of ISIS were such that, to the Jawhar, who has managed to ISIS' intended submission on the resourceful, the avenues of take over so ably and to carry ISIS topic. thinking and idea generation to new heights. were limitless. ISIS was the envy This was to represent my second of many who aspired to work Imran Lim setback in such an early stage in there, perceiving all those who Former Fellow at ISIS my career in ISIS. But one crucial worked there, rightly or wrongly, thing I learnt was that, when to be highly intelligent and very DOROTHY TEOH writing a paper for ISIS, one had knowledgeable. to ensure that it had to be of ‘The relationships forged ... the highest standard. There was Looking back, it is very sad to have endured’ to be no compromise to a note the untimely demise of Tan well-researched, original and Sri Dr. Noordin and in such an I remember the first day I walked intellectually thought out piece unexpected manner, especially into ISIS to report for work, some of work, able to withstand even when he had left such an time in 1990 or 1991. I had driven the most stringent critical analysis. indelible mark in ISIS. His up the drive way and parked my
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car out in front and entered via was absolutely bowled over by the main entrance. I wondered his old school charm. When I As I look back, I believe his why there were so many cars and arrived at his office, he came out contribution lay not just in people, and felt somewhat of his room to meet me and making ISIS what it was in the self-conscious amidst a small shook my hand, not waiting for first decade of its existence. I crowd of mainly men in suits. his secretary to take me into his think he helped foster something Then I realised it was an ISIS office. And after the interview, he that could teach this country seminar, one of many meetings I walked me to the elevator, a lesson or two about would experience over the next pressed the button for the lift nation-building and working three-and-a-half to four years I and waited with me before together for the common good. was there. shaking my hand again just before I got in. He kept in check ethnicity and That was one of the nice things the things that would divide us, about ISIS – you could find Not long after I joined The Edge as they do this nation, by the yourself face-to-face with not in 1994, a colleague of mine was force of his personality! just academics, researchers and going to interview Tan Sri Zain senior civil servants but on for an article on MAS. I told her On occasions when I meet up occasion, corporate chieftains, the story of how charming he with ISIS alumni and those still ministers and even the Prime was and she repeated the remark there, I still experience that Minister. I remember one day, to him. collegial feeling. And that coming down the stairs from the perhaps, alongside the research, Publications Unit, when I ran Imagine how crushed I was when input into policy-making, etc smack into (then) Prime she came back to the office and should be counted as part Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir told me what his response was – of Doc’s and ISIS’ legacy: the Mohamad and his entourage, on and it's something I'll never relationships forged as we their way up to attend a forget. He said to her, `Charm is a worked together that have Malaysian Business Council poor substitute for substance.’ endured till today. meeting in the conference room. Well, Zain Azraai had both. Dorothy Teoh was deputy Another time, (then) Deputy editor of ISIS Focus from Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, And so did `Doc’ Noordin as Tan September 1991 to December who was attending another Sri Dato’ Dr Noordin Sopiee was 1992, and editor from January meeting in the conference room, fondly known in the early days of 1993 to July 1994. She is now walked into the Publications Unit ISIS. Doc was an exacting boss Deputy Editor- in- Chief of The looking for a quiet spot to sit at and not always the easiest Edge so he could do some work. I person to work with, which was offered him the late Rustam probably why a word of praise Sani's room but he declined, from him could really make your DR. PATRICK PILLAI choosing instead to sit at my day.He could be intimidating but colleague's desk away from also disarmingly down to earth ‘My ISIS years’ prying eyes. He was still wearing and without airs. a neck brace after his horse After a dozen years in journalism, riding accident. I recall after he had been I got tired of seeing even my conferred his first datukship, I best-researched features ending I remember too ISIS's had occasion to go and see him up as fish-wrap in the wet market Distinguished Fellows, especially about something. Entering his the next morning. the late Tan Sri Zain Azraai, room, I asked, `So should we whom I interviewed when he address you as Dato’ now?’ and Time, I thought, for more serious was MAS chairman, for the 10th his terse answer to that was `Doc research with a longer shelf-life. anniversary issue of ISIS Focus. I will do.’ Time also to reap my costly
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post-graduate investments at and emigration in Malaysia. Our LSE. Dr Noordin Sopiee's client was the Nomura Research magnetism, sense of urgency Institute. Though I was allowed and intellectual confidence was, access to the services of an Intern of course, also irresistible. who served as a Research Assistant, I knew zero about the When I joined ISIS in August subject. Terror struck when an 1990, my first job was to help economist colleague 'reminded' set-up and run the Malaysian me that I would be a 'mere Business Council, where Dr. sociologist' among a galaxy of Mahathir launched his now top Asian economists who would famous 'Vision 2020' and 'Bangsa present their country-findings at Malaysia' ideals. a conference in Tokyo. That was enough to transform my terror, I hated the job! I was not cut-out first to anger, then to sheer for administrative work, nor was determination. I did solid work it intellectually stimulating. But I on the subject, and ended up not worked my guts out, mainly only with kudos from Nomura because Dr.Noordin had a way of but a published ISIS paper inspiring people and making which is still sought-after today, them feel they could make a sixteen years since it was first difference. And a difference we written. did make. Among many other tasks, I commissioned and edited An equally interesting a series of feature articles from experience was a mega regional corporate leaders and public development project study intellectuals who responded where I researched the chapters enthusiastically to Dr. Mahathir's on immigration and human ideas. All the newspapers, resource development. The including the vernacular press, data-mad foreign economists published them. insisted that we stick rigidly to their turgid, theoretical TOR. Four years later, I was relieved of After months of fieldwork and this 'burden' and was finally writing, when the Final Draft was freed for full-time research and finally submitted just the way consulting. I especially enjoyed they wanted it, the client faxed working for Dr. Ismail Salleh, who an urgent message which read: displayed mature intellectual 'Please add a few paras on how leadership by nurturing and this study can benefit the poor.' trusting his researchers. So much for 'top-down' mega projects! Of the 15 or 20 consulting projects I have worked on in my Dr. Patrick Pillai, who chose to ISIS career, two come clearly to re-career himself on reaching mind. the age of 55 last December, after 17 years in ISIS, reflects on My first ever project began in his time as a researcher at ISIS 1991-2 when Dr. Ismail threw me into the deep-end of a research project on recent immigration
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1985 ISIS GALLERY
1986
Tun Hussein Onn, Chairman, ISIS Malaysia welcomes Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to a meeting organised by ISIS, INTAN and CCIM in 1985. 1987
Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia and H.E. Sir Shridath S. Ramphal, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. South-South II: Charting the Way Forward, 5-8 May 1986.
Brig.-Gen. Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore and former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry A. Kissinger. First Kuala Lumpur Roundtable Discussions, 6 March 1987.
Ahmad Zabri Bin Ibrahim, Deputy Director-General, ISIS Malaysia; Dr. Hans Orville; Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Director- General, ISIS Malaysia; and H.E. General Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria. Fifth Session of the Interaction Council, Kuala Lumpur, 19-21 April Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of 1987. Malaysia and H.E. Helmut Schmidt, former Chancellor of Germany. First Session of the Interaction Council, Kuala Lumpur, 19-21 April 1987.
Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and H.E. Shin Hyun Hwak, former Deputy Prime Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of the Republic of Korea. Fifth Session of the H.E. Swaran Singh, former Foreign Minister of India; Mr. Interaction Council, Kuala Lumpur, 19-21 April 1987. Bradford Morse, former Administrator, UNDP; Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Director-General, ISIS Malaysia; Sir Shridath Ramphal, former Foreign Minister of Guyana; and H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former Prime Minister of Nigeria. ISIS TV Forum,‘The South in Crisis’,24 April 1987.
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1987
Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia; Mr. Mr. Cyrus Vance, former US Secretary of State; Mrs.Vance; M. Santhananaban, Principal Assistant Secretary,Wisma Putra; Tun and Haji Ramli Othman, Director, ISIS Malaysia. Sixteenth Hussein Onn, Chairman, ISIS Malaysia; Dr. Haing Ngor,Winner of the Williamsburg Conference, Kota Kinabalu, 5-8 November Academy Award for his role in ‘The Killing Fields’; and Dr. Noordin 1987. Sopiee, Director-General, ISIS Malaysia. First Southeast Asia Forum, 5-6 July 1988. 1988
H.E. Ambassador Anaitullah Karim; H.E. Ambassador Mathias Mainza Chona of Zambia; and Mdm. Chona. Fifth Session of the Interaction Council, Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Director-General, ISIS Malaysia; Prof. 19-21 April 1987. Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia; and Mr. Gulam Hussein Gulam Haniff, Principle Assistant Secretary,Wisma Putra. First Southeast Asia Forum, 5-6 July 1988.
1989
Participants of the First Indonesia-Malaysia Conference, Bali, 5-6 September 1988.
Tun Hussein Onn, Chairman, ISIS Malaysia; Mdm. Deng Junbing, wife of China’s Ambassador to Malaysia; and Mr. H.E. Fang, Deputy Director-General of the China Institute for International Studies.Third Malaysia-China Scholars’ Colloquium, 8-11 March 1989.
Tun Hussein Onn, Chairman, ISIS Malaysia and H.E. Marie Angelique Savane of Senegal, after her talk on problems faced by countries in Africa. ISIS, 27 March 1989.
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1990
Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Hussein Onn, Chairman, ISIS Malaysia and Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Director-General, ISIS Malaysia.Third Asia-Pacific H.E. Dr. Soedradjad Djiwandono, Indonesia Junior Minister Roundtable, Kuala Lumpur, 16-19 June 1989. for Trade; Dr. Endymion Wilkinson, Head of The Asia Division, Directorate General for External Relations, Commission of the European Communities; Dato’ Kok Wee Kiat, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry; and Dr. Alexis Jacquemin, Professor of Industrial Economics, Catholic University of Louvain-La Neuve, Belgium. Colloquium on ASEAN and Europe 1992, Kuala Lumpur, 10-11 July 1989.
Tun Hussein Onn, Chairman, ISIS Malaysia and former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger. ISIS Roundtable on Current Economic and Political Developments, 3 November 1989. Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Director-General, ISIS Malaysia; former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger; Ms. Rohana Mahmood, ISIS Malaysia; and Mr. Brady Lum,Visiting Henry Luce Scholar. ISIS Roundtable on Current Economic and Political Developments, 3 November 1989.
Prof. Mochtar Kusumaatmadja, former Indonesian Foreign Minister; Tun Hussein Onn, Chairman, ISIS Malaysia; Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, Defense Minister of Malaysia; and Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Member of Parliament,Thailand. Second Southeast Asia Forum, 27-29 November 1989. Senior General Vo Nguyen Giap, Deputy Prime Minister and Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Council of Vietnam, during his visit to ISIS on 6 July 1990.
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1990
Dr. Julius Nyerere, South Commission Chairman and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad after the official launching of the Report Mr. Katsuhiro Kotari, Co-Chairman of the PECC Task of the South Commission, 1990. Force on Tropical Cooperation celebrates his 72nd birthday on the opening day of the PECC Tropical Forest Cooperation Workshop on 26 September 1990.With him are Dato’ Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor, Director-General of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia and Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Director-General, ISIS Malaysia.
Rt. Hon. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Prime Minister of Fiji; Royal Prof. Ungku Aziz, ISIS Distinguished Fellow and former Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya; and Puan Zaharah Tun Dr. Awang, formerly of Hospital Prof. Dato’ Zainal Abidin Wahid, Universiti Universiti; Assoc. Prof. H.M. Dahlan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. ISIS, 27 November 1990. Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu; Tan Sri Zainal Abidin Sulong, Chairman, ISIS Malaysia; Assoc. Prof. Chiam Heng Keng, Universiti Malaya; Ms. P.C. Sushama, formerly of Universiti Sains Malaysia; and 1996 Mr. Martin Khor, Consumers Association of Penang. First National Conference on the Caring Society, 5-6 December 1990.
Tan Sri Kishu Tirathrai, Chairman of Globe Silk Store; and former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger. Second Pacific Dialogue, 8-9 January 1996. Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Director-General, ISIS Malaysia and Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Foreign Minister of Malaysia.Tenth Asia-Pacific Roundtable, 6-8 June 1996.
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1998
Tan Sri Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Chairman and CEO, ISIS Malaysia and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Malaysian Business Council Meeting, South Commissioner and Nobel Prize Laureate Abdul 10 September 1998. Salam. ISIS Colloquium on South-South Cooperation. 4 March 1998.
2000
Hon. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Senior Minister of the Republic of Singapore; and Tan Sri Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Chairman Hon. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, Senior Minister of the Republic of & CEO and Dato’ Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Director- Singapore and Tan Sri Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Chairman & CEO, General, ISIS Malaysia. Lecture on East Asia’s Status in ISIS Malaysia. Lecture on East Asia’s Status in the 21st st the 21 Century, 16 August 2000. Century, 16 August 2000.
2001 2003
Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Rt. Hon. Seyyed Mohamed Khatami, President of the Minister of Malaysia and Dr. Jusuf Wanandi, Centre for Islamic Republic of Iran and Tan Sri Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia. Chairman & CEO, ISIS Malaysia. Dialogue Among Fifteenth Asia Pacific Roundtable, 4-7 June 2001. Civilisations and Its Challenges, 23 July 2003.
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2004
2007
H.E. Mr.Yashwant Sinha, External Affairs Minister of India; H.E. Ms.Veena Sikri, High Commissioner of India; and Tan Sri Dr. Noordin Sopiee, Chairman & CEO, ISIS Malaysia. IIAF-ISIS International Affairs Forum, 26 September 2004.
Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Chairman & CEO, ISIS Malaysia; Dato’ Mohd Annuar Zaini, Chairman of Bernama and DYTM Raja Muda Perak, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah Ibni Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah. Dinner hosted by HRH Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, 8 June 2007.
Mr. Effendy Shahul Hamid, Assistant Director, CIMB; Dato’ Nazir Razak, CEO, CIMB; Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Chairman & CEO and Dr. Mahani Zainal Abidin, Director-General, ISIS Malaysia. CIMB Group and ISIS Malaysia Strategic Partnership Signing Ceremony, 28 September 2007.
Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Chairman & CEO, ISIS Malaysia and Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman, Synergy Drive Berhad. International Forum on the Makkah Declaration: Implementing the Economic Agenda of the Muslim World, 1-3 September 2007.
Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Dato’ Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, Chairman & CEO, ISIS Malaysia; and H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Secretary-General Designate. Fifth East Asia Congress, 2-4 December 2007.
2008 Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain, Executive Chairman, Arah Advisory Services Sdn Bhd.; Ms. Rohana Mahmood, Chairman, Ethos Capital; Tan Sri Dato’ Thong Yaw-Hong, Co-Chairman, Public Bank Bhd.; and Tan Sri Datuk Mohamed Khatib Abdul Hamid, Chairman, Pantai Holdings Bhd. Fifth East Asia Congress, 2-4 December 2007.
Prof Dato’ Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharudin, Director, Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, President, International Movement for a Just World (JUST); and Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman, Synergy Drive Berhad, ISIS Forum on the 2008 General Election Results: Outcome and Implications for Malaysia, 10 March 2008.
46 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 TAN SRI NOORDIN SOPIEE MEMORIAL LECTURE ISIS FOCUS
Tan Sri Noordin Sopiee Memorial Lecture identity may be one’s primary identity; at another moment it RELIGION IN OUR TIME may evolve into one’s secondary identity. While there may be by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar certain givens in one’s religious identity, such as a belief or a ritual, the larger environment ‘Religion’ has always been an important feature in the socio- also often shapes one’s under- political life and history of Asia. It is, after all the birthplace of some standing of one’s identity. For of the world's major religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and instance,if a religious community Islam. However, the War on Terror and rising sectarian tensions in feels that it is under siege or that various corners of the continent have cast a negative light on the its values are being challenged role of religion within Asia's multicultural context. Many have by another culture, it may questioned whether religion can be a force of harmony in our become more conscious of the diverse societies. Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Noordin Sopiee Professor of need to defend its identity and Global Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, and President, its integrity. International Movement for a Just World (JUST), delivered the following presentation at ISIS Malaysia. Two, related to identity – though not synonymous with it – are the I shall reflect on the topic, society, it is equally true that in rituals, practices, forms and ‘Religion in our Time’ in the many parts of the continent the symbols of a religion to which context of Asia – the womb that masses have always remained most believers are attached, in gave birth to all the religions of attached to religion even if their one way or another. Practices the world. My observations will elites are secular. such as fasting or symbols such be confined to contemporary as the cross are vital to a religion. Asia. They will revolve around What does this attachment to When one adheres to prescribed two questions. religion mean for most Asians? religious practices one perceives There are perhaps four oneself, and is perceived by 1) How do most Asians dimensions to it which we may others, as a faithful member of understand their respective want to note. the religious community in religions? question. It is because of the centrality of religious practices 2) Has any religious community FOUR DIMENSIONS and symbols that communities in Asia succeeded in seek to defend and protect them establishing a harmonious One, religion means identity to a whatever the costs and relationship between religion lot of people. It is a way of consequences. and society? defining oneself, of naming oneself. Of course, religion is not Three, for many Asians religion is It is important to emphasize at the only identity marker for any also the source of morality. It is the outset that for the majority of religious community in Asia. the ultimate measure of right Asians religion is important. Even in Iran, the only nation in and wrong. Religious standards Even in a country like China the world that had undergone a and precepts determine good where state policy had at one popular revolution in the name and evil. One judges a person’s time – especially during the of religion in the modern era, private behaviour as well as his period of the Cultural Revolution one’s religious identity competes public conduct on the basis of – targeted religion, there is a with one’s national identity and values and principles embodied religious revivalism of sorts. perhaps even with one’s Persian in religion. Thus, a Muslim who While religious revivalism is identity which goes beyond Iran consumes alcohol is, in the eyes taking place in certain countries as a nation state. At a certain of fellow Muslims, someone who and within certain strata of point in time, one’s religious has done something wrong just
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as a serial rapist is an evil person existence is separable from characteristics of a state. A from the perspective of all Tawhid. What this means is that charter was formulated which religions. state and society, government sought to regulate relations and politics, the economy and between different communities, Four – and perhaps most culture,law and policy have to be laws were enacted, public roles fundamental – at a personal, based upon, and guided by, were assigned to individuals to intimate level, religion means Tawhidic values or values such as manage the affairs of the faith in God, in a Divine Being, in justice and compassion, dignity community and even emissaries a Transcendent Reality. It is faith and love, equality and unity, were dispatched to in God, whatever the name one which are all enshrined in the neighbouring kingdoms and assigns to God, which is the Noble Qur’an. Indeed, Tawhid, states. Because Muhammad was bedrock of religion. In those the Oneness of God, is the basic more than a Prophet or most difficult moments of life, it premise for the unity of the Messenger of God – he was a is this faith that provides solace universes, the unity between the political leader, a military and sustenance. It is through human being and his natural commander and a law giver – faith in God and in God’s Love environment, the unity of Muslims have invariably and Mercy that the believing associated state power and person overcomes the sorrow of governance with the essential the loss of a loved one or comes Through laws and message of Islam. to terms with the ordeal and precepts, the shariah anguish of a terminal illness. This view of what Islam stands for gave concrete was reinforced by the evolution While these four dimensions are expression to some of the shariah as a code of important for most religious of the values and conduct a few decades after the practitioners in Asia, for a lot of principles contained death of the Prophet. Through Muslims there is perhaps a fifth laws and precepts, the shariah in the Qur’an and in dimension that is also critical. gave concrete expression to What is that dimension? Islam the example of the some of the values and principles for Muslims should also be the Prophet (the Sunnah). contained in the Qur’an and in basis of law and public policy, of the example of the Prophet (the government and state. Why do Sunnah). In the course of time, it many Muslims feel this way humankind, the unity of the emerged as a body of about their religion? I shall sexes, and the unity of the family. jurisprudence commanding its suggest five reasons though At another level, it is Tawhid that own autonomous authority on a there may be many other unites the material and the spiri- whole gamut of issues affecting explanations as well. tual, life and death, this world the life of a Muslim. In fact, the and the next. Within such a shariah today has become worldview, divorcing life from almost sacrosanct as Muslims in FIVE REASONS God, or society from the Divine, a number of countries clamour would be anathema. for its introduction – especially The foundational principle in its penal code – in their quest for Islam – there is no god but God – There is another reason why the establishment of so-called is not just a statement of belief, Muslims are so concerned about genuine Islamic states. the acknowledgement of which making their faith in God the requires the Muslim to submit or basis of state and society. The If there is any psychological force to surrender totally to God. It is Prophet Muhammad (may that propels this quest, it is the a principle that embodies an peace be upon him) himself collective Muslim memory of entire worldview, a worldview had established a community what their civilization had anchored in the oneness of God in Medina which possessed accomplished in past centuries. or Tawhid. No sphere of human some of the rudimentary Many Muslims know that there
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was a time when Islamic present-day Asia. high growth development nor its civilization was at the forefront of bureaucratic structure would almost every sphere of human With that as the backdrop let me allow it to play such a role. activity. Their past convinces now turn to my second question. them that their religion will once I shall begin with non-Muslim Religious groups are in a better again reach the pinnacle. It is majority states. Three states have position to undertake a moral partly because of their been chosen at random. Each mission of this kind. While there civilizational memory that state will be discussed briefly, is a little bit of discussion in small Muslims are persuaded that and in alphabetical order. intellectual circles about how Islam is capable of addressing Buddhism or Confucianism view contemporary challenges. greed or corruption, the vast CHINA majority of those who have At the same time however they turned to religion in recent years are aware that their civilization China’s rapid economic tend to focus upon religious has been vanquished. Ironically, development has begun to rituals and practices. It is unlikely defeat at the hands of the West generate serious problems. The that a socially engaged was in a sense one of the factors environment has deteriorated. Confucianism or Buddhism will that prompted Muslim scholars The gap between the rich and emerge in China in the to visualize an ‘Islamic State’ as poor and between regions is foreseeable future. Will we see the antidote to Western colonial widening. Corruption is rampant the birth of a socially engaged empires. It is significant that it at certain levels of society. Greed Christianity or Islam? It is was in the wake of the collapse of is pervasive especially at the equally doubtful. the Ottoman Empire in 1924, as a upper echelons. result of both colonial military This is why it is still unclear how power and colonial intrigue, that religion will impact upon the Muslim intellectual Mustafa It is unlikely development and society in Raziq introduced the term that a socially China in the coming years. ‘Islamic State’ – a term that has no precedent in Muslim history. engaged INDIA It is worth noting in this regard Confucianism that the community-cum-state or Buddhism C ompared to China, religion has that the Prophet established been more prominent in Indian in Medina was not described will emerge in public life since Independence in as an ‘Islamic polity’. The China in the 1947. contemporary yearning for an ‘Islamic state’ is therefore – to a foreseeable However, the Indian Constitution certain extent at least – a future. was – and remains – avowedly response to Western hegemony. secular. For the first 15 to 20 years of independence, Indian I have attempted to explain why The state itself and the Chinese politics was also largely secular. many Muslims understand the Communist Party (CCP) have Indian secularism, it should be role of religion in society in terms pledged to address these emphasized, did not imply that are somewhat different from challenges. Even if they are antagonism towards, or the majority of non-Muslims. The ameliorated to an extent, one disrespect for, religion. On the reasons, it is apparent, are cannot expect the powers-that- contrary, India’s secular leaders complex. But both Muslims and be to create a new moral ethos strove to protect the interests of non-Muslims, it should be which will help to curb material- both the majority Hindu and reiterated, are attached to istic greed or stark selfishness. minority Muslim communities. religion, and have been Neither the ideological thrust of While leadership was witness to its expanding role in the state which is obsessed with secular, the Hindu and Muslim
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masses and followers of other In general, the BJP’s Hindutva the Congress had presented the religions remained devoted to meant projecting the Hindu face voters with a broad based faith and practice. of India through history, culture platform and had succeeded in and education. forging alliances with regional It was mainly because the people and national parties that were religious that Indian The rise of Hindutva was not boosted its standing. politicians began to manipulate simply because of the inherent religious sentiments for electoral appeal of Hinduism to the The BJP’s defeat shows that support from the seventies majority community. The failure religious chauvinism and onwards. The ruling Indian of the Congress to govern extremism can be checked National Congress was perhaps effectively was perhaps a more through the electoral process. the first to play the religious card. crucial factor. Apart from the There are strengths within the It exploited Sikh, Muslim and persistence of abject poverty, democratic system which can be Hindu grievances as and when it elite corruption and abuse of mobilised to counter negative suited its interests. The power at district level had religious trends. Nonetheless, the Congress’s inability to resolve become widespread under fact remains that religion is now fundamental socio-economic Congress rule. The vote for the a potent force in Indian politics. challenges – the most significant BJP was in that sense a protest How India’s secular state of which was abject grassroots vote. At the same time, certain structure deals with this force is poverty – was perhaps one of the communal stances adopted by one of the critical questions that main reasons why it began to elements within the Muslim will shape the future of the resort to the exploitation of community worked to the BJP’s Indian polity. religion in electoral politics. advantage. New regional coalitions and inter-caste As an aside, the BJP brings to Soon other political parties got alliances had also emerged, mind another earlier attempt by into the act. The Bharatiya Janata benefiting the BJP and its allies. no less a personality than Party (BJP), a Hindu nationalist Mahatma Gandhi to emphasize party, was bold and brazen in its But the BJP was defeated in the the universal, inclusive belligerent attacks upon the 2004 General Election and the dimension of Hinduism and Muslim minority, on the one Congress is now back in power thereby forge ties with Muslims, hand, and its stark appeal to with the support of the Christians and other religious Hindu chauvinism, on the other. communists. A number of groups through an all-embracing Within a decade and a half, in reasons explain the BJP’s defeat. inter-faith movement dedicated 1998, the BJP with its ideology of The party had pursued an even to the liberation of India from Hindutva was able to muster more aggressive neo-liberal British rule. Why is it that such an enough electoral support to capitalist agenda than the approach to inter-religious come to power in New Delhi at Congress which made the poor cooperation has not struck root the helm of an inter-party even more destitute and in independent India and instead coalition. It promised to restore widened further the chasm it is Hindutva that now claims to lost Hindu glory by revising between the rich and poor. speak on behalf of the religion? school texts with the aim of The disenfranchised revolted giving Hindu kingdoms and through the ballot box. The BJP’s empires pride of place. chauvinistic policies which had SRI LANKA Rebuilding Hindu temples which contributed indirectly to were allegedly demolished to inter-religious riots – such as the Like India, Sri Lanka also began make way for Muslim mosques Gujarat riot in 2002 – alienated a its post-colonial journey in 1948 during the time when much of huge chunk of the population, as a secular state. Its early India was under Muslim rule, was including a significant segment leaders, both Sinhala and Tamil, yet another of the BJP’s pledges. of the Hindu electorate. Besides, were secular in outlook.
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However, by the mid-fifties its crescendo in July 1983. A reasons for the credible ethnic sentiments which were full-scale civil war erupted performance of the Heritage already quite pronounced in the between a largely Sinhala party. Most of the support for the body politic long before government and a Jaffna Tamil ‘monks’ party appears to have Independence, re-emerged with rebel group, the Liberation Tigers come from the Sri Lankan middle a vengeance. of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE class. demanded – and continues to In this regard, it is worth demand – the establishment of a Sri Lanka illustrates the nexus observing that though the separate Tamil homeland. The that obtains between religion assassin of Prime Minister civil war has continued on and and nationalism or rather it Solomon Bandaranaike in 1959 off for the last 24 years. reveals how at times nationalism was a Buddhist monk, Buddhism drives religion. There is a hint of as such was not yet a force in Sri Caught in the cauldron of the this in Indian politics too. The Sri Lankan politics. Be that as it may, civil war, Sinhala Buddhist monks Lankan situation also shows that the assassination was an early decided to set up their own ethnic conflicts whose root indication of the symbiotic political party in 2004. Called the causes may have nothing to do relationship between Sinhala Jathika Hela Urumaya or Pure with religion may sometimes nationalism and the Buddhist Sinhala National Heritage, the find expression through religion. monkhood. party believes in the supremacy Having looked at three non- As the Sri Lankan economy As the Sri Lankan Muslim majority societies, let me declined in the seventies and economy declined now examine three Muslim political instability increased, in the seventies and majority states with the same ethnic tensions between the political instability query in mind: what sort of role majority Sinhala community and increased, does religion play in Afghanistan, the Tamil minority escalated. The ethnic tensions Indonesia and Iran? The three Tamils, especially the Tamils of between the majority countries have also been the Jaffna Peninsula in the north selected randomly and are Sinhala community of the island, felt that they had discussed in alphabetical order. been marginalized and and the Tamil discriminated in politics, public minority escalated. administration and in matters AFGHANISTAN pertaining to language and of the Buddhist religion and the culture by the Sinhala Sinhala majority, and is against If there was a single event in government. Sinhala identity, any peace negotiations with the contemporary Afghanistan that they contended, was becoming LTTE. Though it vows to protect was decisive in shaping the synonymous with Sri Lankan the religious minorities, in reality relationship between religion national identity. The Sinhala it adopts an aggressive posture and society, it was the invasion of community, on the other hand, against Hindus, Christians and Afghanistan by the Soviet Union viewed the Tamils as an Muslims. It is particularly in 1979. The invasion ignited economically stronger and antagonistic towards the Tamils the formation of a mass better educated community that and has urged the military to resistance movement that wielded considerable influence finish off the LTTE. centred around Islam. The upon national affairs. From the resisters, or freedom fighters Sinhala standpoint, the Tamil In the April 2004 Parliamentary (Mujahideen), saw themselves as minority was well entrenched Election, the party won 9 seats. defenders of the faith fighting an and secure and their grievances War weariness, disillusionment infidel army that was occupying were often exaggerated. with existing political parties and their land. The label ‘infidel’ had the parlous state of the economy an import of its own since the The Sinhala-Tamil conflict reached have been cited as some of the occupying army belonged to an
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atheistic state that espoused from the protection of the state; Laden, the head of Al-Qaeda, and an atheistic ideology, namely, and targets Shiites and Sufis as the alleged mastermind behind communism. heretics. Wahabi dogmatism, the 9-11 episode, is also, from all needless to say, is antithetical to accounts, a Wahabist. He was Though the majority of the Islamic teachings. closely associated with the freedom fighters were Afghans, Taliban leadership when it was in there were also Muslims from Wahabism was disseminated power. Since he is viewed as an dozens of other countries who through the Afghan resistance ardent opponent of US global regarded the liberation of since as we have noted hegemony he too commands a Afghanistan as a ‘jihad’ (a numerous Muslim nationalities constituency and is perceived as struggle in the path of God). were involved in the struggle. a credible leader in certain Their participation in the Before Afghanistan, Wahabism circles. It is obvious that it is resistance was facilitated, it was was confined largely to Saudi resistance to hegemony and alleged, by the CIA which Arabia. Once it was transformed occupation that provides a provided both financial and into a transnational ideology, it veneer of legitimacy to logistical support. In fact, for the developed an international Wahabism. CIA and the US Administration constituency. But because its the freedom fighters had to approach to Islam is exclusive Afghanistan’s significance to the vanquish the Soviet army since and bigoted, Wahabism has contemporary Muslim world and Afghanistan was a critical tarnished the religion. global politics is tied to these two battleground in the cold war phenomena. One it has emerged between the US and the Soviet Though the present Afghan as the arena of resistance to first Union. After a 10 year struggle, leadership is not Wahabist, Soviet occupation with its the Afghan resistance won. The Wahabi thinking is still pervasive communist ideology and now to Soviet army was defeated and within Afghan society. The US-NATO occupation with its shortly afterwards the cold war unstated goal of safeguarding came to an end, climaxing in the global capitalism. Two, it is from collapse of the Soviet Union in It is true that the the Afghan resistance that a 1991. traditional religious distorted and perverted notion elites were resolute in of Islam in the form of Wahabism It is not just in its implications for their defence of the has spread to other parts of the global politics and international Muslim world. relations that the Afghan integrity and resistance is historically sovereignty of the significant. It also gave birth to a Islamic revolution INDONESIA transnational Muslim movement and nation with certain ideological Indonesia shares with characteristics. A commitment to Afghanistan a long and intimate liberation from occupation aside, Taliban for instance which was historical relationship with Islam. sections of the movement were part of the resistance to Soviet Islamic movements played a strongly influenced by occupation and ruled pivotal role in the struggle Wahabism, a conservative, Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 against Dutch colonial rule. After puritanical strain within Islam when it was ousted by US and independence in 1945, one of that originated in Arabia in the NATO forces, subscribes to the most hotly debated issues 18th century. Wahabism, in its Wahabism. Today, it constitutes was the role that Islam would present form, advocates a dog- the core of the resistance to US- play in building a nation ninety matic adherence to the literal NATO occupation of Afghanistan. percent of whose population was meaning of the Qur’anic text; By casting itself as a resister, the Muslim. Though a section of the relegates women to second class Taliban has acquired a degree of elite wanted the shariah as the status; excludes non-Muslims credibility. Similarly, Osama bin basis of the new Indonesian
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state, the founding fathers the active collaboration – of the commit themselves to shariah eventually settled for a vision of CIA and the US government. rule or the imposition of the the nation that was not linked to Islamic penal code, or hudud, as any particular religion.The Panca The post coup President, General most political parties elsewhere Sila – Five Principles – was Suharto, was determined to that claim to be ideologically accepted as the nation’s ensure that Islamic parties had orientated towards Islam tend to ideology, with belief in the one no role in ‘the new order’. Islamic do. The few that espoused an God as the first principle. Islam, organizations were only allowed explicit Islamic program fared together with Buddhism, to undertake social and badly in the two polls. In fact, the Hinduism, Catholicism and top five performers in 1999 and Protestantism were adopted as 2004 sought to present Islam – official religions. (Confucianism the overwhelming with varying degrees of has now been added to the list). emphasis – as a universal, majority of Indonesian inclusive and accommodative Whatever the constitutional Muslims reject the faith that is in line with economic structure, at the level of the development and social change. masses, political parties with an politics of violence Islamic orientation proved to be and terror If there is any support for shariah immensely popular. In the 1955 and hudud it is in certain districts parliamentary election for and provinces, such as Aceh. The instance, the Masjumi and the Islamic laws that have been Nahdatul Ulama (NU), together cultural activities – under state implemented in these places with a smaller Islamic party surveillance. Consequently, seem to revolve around personal commanded more votes than Islamic grassroots programs and sexual morality. There is also the nationalist or communist flourished giving rise to of course a fringe within the parties. The Masjumi in particular powerful mass social movements Indonesian Muslim community presented a contemporary like the restructured NU and the that has resorted to violence interpretation of Islam which Muhammadiyyah. Since they in pursuit of its Islamic emphasised social justice and were prohibited from seeking agenda. Needless to say, the freedom and appealed to a political power, both these overwhelming majority of broad cross-section of the movements – NU with 40 Indonesian Muslims reject the populace. million members and the politics of violence and terror, as Muhammadiyyah with 35 million demonstrated in a number of However the Indonesian – focused upon strengthening elections and opinion polls since President, Sukarno, and the universal Islamic values and 1998. vested interests that backed him principles at the grassroots, and were afraid that the Masjumi in the process, helped to This does not mean that the would undermine their position transform popular understand- situation will not change in the and sought to curb its influence. ing of, and approaches towards, future. If economic disparities The party was banned in 1960. the religion. are not resolved, or if corruption Then in 1965, right-wing becomes more serious, or if there generals in the powerful After the fall of Suharto in 1998, is political chaos, it is not Indonesian armed forces staged and the restoration of inconceivable that a less flexible, a bloody coup which margin- democratic processes, a plethora more rigid approach to Islam will alised not only progressive of political parties have gain more adherents. After all, it Islamic elements but also the re-emerged. The vast majority of was because of economic Indonesian communists and the 48 parties that participated turmoil and political instability in nationalists. Sukarno himself was in the 1999 legislative election the late nineties that some overthrown. The coup had the and the 24 parties that took part Muslim groups turned to political strong support – perhaps even in the 2004 election did not terror.
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allegedly by secular Left The global environment is also elements. As a group they were bound to impact upon the Attacked from all sides, better organized, more focused attitudes of Indonesian Muslims. the Iranian people – as it on their ultimate goals, and most It is significant that almost all the happens very often in other of all, commanded tremendous terrorists convicted in the Bali grassroots respect, compared to bombing of October 2002 cited similar situations – became other actors in the Revolution. the injustices perpetrated by the even more supportive of the There was also an important US and Israel against Muslims in traditional religious elites at external factor that helped the the Middle East – especially the the core of the national traditional religious elites to plight of the Palestinians – as one consolidate their power. Because leadership of the principal reasons why they Iraq under Saddam Hussein went had sought radical solutions. to war against Iran without any Often, it is through the interplay provocation whatsoever in 1980, of domestic and global factors – was so popular. While Islamic the Iranian people began to feel one reinforcing the other – that groups were at the core, the that they were under siege and despair, frustration and anger Revolution brought together that the values and identity of an reach a crescendo and lead to a whole spectrum of unique Islamic revolution were in violence. dissident movements including jeopardy. What aggravated this communists, socialists, liberals feeling was the wholehearted and secular nationalists. Even support that a number of Arab IRAN among the Islamic groups there kingdoms and republics was considerable diversity. The extended to Iraq. The US and There are similarities and most important were the other Western powers were also dissimilarities between Indonesia traditional religious elites led by determined to ensure that and Iran in their relationship to Ayatollah Khomeini – the leader Saddam defeated and destroyed Islam. Iran owes a monumental of the Revolution itself. There the nascent Islamic republic. debt to Islamic civilization which was also an Islamic group with a Financial and military assistance more than any other civilization liberal-democratic orientation were made available to the Iraqi has shaped Iranian society in the associated with Mehdi Bazargan, side by the US and some of its last thousand years or so. In the first Prime Minister after the allies. Even the Soviet Union was defending Iranian sovereignty Revolution. A third group with a more inclined towards the Iraqi and independence against Left outlook was inspired by the leadership partly because of the Western encroachments (Iran speeches and writings of Ali latter’s secular, Baathist socialist never became a formal colony of Shariati. orientation. Attacked from all any Western power) in the early sides, the Iranian people – as it part of the twentieth century, Within five or six years, the happens very often in other Islam and Muslim religious elites traditional elites had succeeded similar situations – became even played a significant role. At the in establishing total control over more supportive of the same time however the power and politics. How did this traditional religious elites at the suppression of Islamic move- happen? Part of the explanation core of the national leadership. ments by the Iranian monarch, is linked to Khomeini’s role as the They were perceived as the only Shah Pahlavi, in the sixties and dominant, charismatic leader of ones who could be relied upon seventies was much more severe the Revolution who was revered to defend Iranian identity and and brutal than what transpired by the entire nation. But there integrity. in Indonesia. were other reasons too. The traditional religious elites evoked It is true that the traditional It was partly because the a lot of sympathy from the religious elites were resolute in suppression was so severe that people when some of their their defence of the integrity and the Islamic Revolution of 1979 leading lights were assassinated sovereignty of the Islamic
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revolution and nation. Given the imposed upon inter-gender religious elites who felt threat- magnitude of the external interaction and socialization. ened by his reforms stymied his threats against Iran and the There were also curbs upon moves. A high level of unem- immensity of the domestic those cultural and artistic ployment – almost 14 percent of challenges to the leadership in expressions that were deemed the workforce had no jobs – and the eighties, it is remarkable that antithetical to Islam and the a woefully inadequate delivery the elites – and the people at Revolution. system also dented Khatami’s large – succeeded in protecting credibility. the Revolution. The religious It was because of increasing elites also introduced significant religious authoritarianism that a From 2002, the US Administration changes to the economy from reform movement of sorts was abetted by the Israeli nationalising oil to redistributing born which sought to government also increased incomes to strengthening rural pressure upon the Khatami cooperatives and welfare leadership. In his State of the foundations which were all the US Administration Union message in January of that aimed at achieving a more just year, President George Bush and equitable social order. At the abetted by the Israeli described Iran as part of ‘an axis same time however, power government also of evil’ for allegedly colluding became more centralized in the increased with terrorists and for its nuclear hands of the religious elites pressure upon the ambitions. Indeed, the US-led especially since the Constitution targeting of Iran’s nuclear itself allowed for a Supreme Khatami program which the Washington Leader to supervise all executive, leadership and Tel Aviv are convinced is legislative and even judicial designed to manufacture functions aided by a council of nuclear weapons – a charge eminent jurists, the Wilayat-al- demonstrate that Islam is which Tehran has strenuously Faqih. What this centralization of opposed to dictatorship and denied – has strengthened the power meant was that in the cherishes freedom and hand of religious authoritarians ultimate analysis the elected individual liberties. The end of who had always been President and the elected the Iraq-Iran war in 1988 and the contemptuous of Khatami’s Legislature (the Majlis) were sub- death of Khomeini the following openness and his willingness to servient to a religious supremo year provided some scope for dialogue with the West. and to an elite religious stratum. Islamic reformist thinking. Iranian youth who constitute a huge This was reflected in the 2005 The adverse consequences of slice of the population and presidential election which this centralization of power, in women propelled this brought to the fore the hardliner, effect religious authoritarianism, movement forward culminating Mahmoud Ahmednejad. He was were felt in almost every sphere in the election of a reform perceived by the Iranian masses of society. Dissent was minded cleric, Mohamad as someone who had the guts to circumscribed and survived only Khatami, as president of the stand up to the US and Israel in a on the sufferance of the religious republic in 1997. He was re- situation where dialogue and elite. Accountability was elected in 2001. Khatami relaxed engagement with the US and the observed more in its breach than some of the controls upon the West – they felt – would its adherence. Corruption print media, provided more jeopardize Iranian sovereignty. It became more entrenched. latitude for film-makers and is a matter of some significance Women were subjected to a television producers and that as the US and Israeli variety of restrictions and encouraged the growth of governments become more regulations pertaining to their independent civil society groups. bellicose towards Iran, the attire and to their public and But he could not make much support for religious elites and political roles. Controls were also headway. The authoritarian others who are seen as capable
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of protecting the Iranian nation and an embodiment of the has increased right across the ideal. board while the popularity of The reconciliation reformers like Khatami has 2) The reconciliation between,or between, or diminished considerably. harmonisation of, religion and harmonisation of, state is a major issue in a Iran underscores two important number of Muslim and non- religion and state is characteristics of the Muslim Muslim societies. In some a major issue in a world today. One, in Iran as in so instances, it is a question of number of Muslim many other contemporary how religion will transform and non-Muslim Muslim societies, a struggle is existing secular structures going on between authoritarian while in other cases it is a societies often conservative religious question of how the groups with an exclusive outlook understanding of religion on the one hand and itself will be transformed by succeeded to acquire power, democratically inclined, reform the secular environment. the emphasis appears to oriented Islamic groups with an be on protecting identity inclusive, universal approach on 3) In a few situations, the nexus expressed through regulations the other. Two, when the US, between ethnic or cultural pertaining to women or Israel or some of their other allies identity, on the one hand, and gender interaction or manfested pursue their self-serving agendas religion, on the other, has in changes to prevailing vis-a-vis certain Muslim been manipulated or conceptions of history and countries, it is often the exploited to fuel communal culture. Often, religion on the authoritarian groups that benefit conflicts. In these and other throne of power has led to from their interference and cases, religion often is not the authoritarianism arising from manipulation to the detriment of primary cause of conflict but a desire to impose a certain the reform oriented elements. is absorbed into conflicts and doctrinal interpretation upon sometimes exacerbates them. the rest of society. At the CONCLUSIONS same time however, there 4) The perpetuation of global are in all religions democratic B ased upon our reflections on six domination by the US and its approaches to the under- Asian countries – three with non- allies and the injustices it standing and practice of faith Muslim majorities and three with generates within the Muslim which are sometimes part of Muslim majorities – we are now world (ummah) has induced a the internal struggle within in a position to draw some fringe within the ummah to the tradition. tentative conclusions. resort to acts of terror which in turn has distorted Our presentation has revealed 1) In a number of countries,at perceptions of Islam among that the role of religion in Asia at the time of Independence,the both Muslims and non- this juncture of history is far ruling elites were secular and Muslims. Equally important, more complex than what the religion was not central to the US-Israeli agenda has mainstream media suggests. politics. Because of socio- been detrimental to reform This complexity is related to a economic challenges, movements within the large extent to the re-emergence electoral politics and flawed ummah seeking to develop a of religion as an important player governance, segments of more inclusive, universal in the public arena. society have over time turned vision of Islam. more and more to religion which serves as an identity 5) In those instances when marker, a source of morality religious groups have
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EAST ASIA’S FINANCIAL STABILITY – IS ANOTHER clients easier access to credit without requiring collateral. A CRISIS LOOMING? subsequent empirical study by Norhayati Mustapha commissioned by the National Research Council of Thailand On the 10th anniversary of East Asia’s financial crisis, Dr. Pakorn posed these questions:(i) how do Vichyanond, Research Director (Financial Sector) of the Thailand the NBs finance their risky Development Research Institute, Thailand and Dr. Woo Wing Thye, businesses? and (ii) are they Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution, USA, took a retrospective capable of handling these risks look to assess the possibility of a recurrence of the crisis. Ms. Daw successfully? Yin Yin Oo, Deputy Director, International Organisations and Economic Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar, It was found that NBs depend on presided over this fifth session of the Fifth EAC. capital accounts and borrowing, about half of which come from domestic financial institutions, THE NON-BANK (NB) FACTOR it, the NBs filled the void and and that all their short-term were able to penetrate the credit borrowing increased consider- Dr. Vichyanond spoke on the market, tripling their share in ably between 2004 and 2006, business of NBs, for which the household debts between 2002 from 38 per cent to 55 per cent post-1997 rectifying measures and 2005. of total borrowing. With a imposed on commercial banks widespread network of branches and finance companies (CBFCs) The NB’s edge lay in its easy lend- offering quick credit for a variety proved to be most opportune. As ing in the form of personal loans of purposes, the NBs’ marketing the CBFCs were thenceforth and credit card facilities. Despite strategy generates several compelled to be highly cautious being prohibited from tapping positive outcomes: (i) increased and stringent in extending cred- deposits it offered lower-income consumption among customers; (ii) faster pace of recycling aggregates in the economy; and (iii) greater competition, i.e. in pressuring commercial banks to be more caring of personal clients.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NB COIN
However, NBs also create negative impacts. Easy credit tempts clients to overspend; and when they are unable to repay, would be vulnerable to harsh extortion methods and mental distress. Within NBs themselves, inefficient credit management can lead to delinquency and (From left) Dr Pakorn Vichyanond, Research Director (Financial Sector), Thailand Development Research Institute, Thailand; Ms. Daw Yin Yin Oo, Deputy Director, International Organisations and Economic Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar;Dr Woo Wing-Thye, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution, USA.
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liquidity problems, such as with STEMMING THE NB TIDE sheet, (iii) supervising NBs as well incurred bad debts, which as other financial institutions adversely affect NBs and their Having recognized the (given the close interactions creditors, i.e. domestic financial undesirable impacts of NBs, the between NBs and Banks) in a institutions, and by extension, Thai government instituted consolidated manner, and stability of the financial systems. several controlling measures, (iv) regulating NBs in a fashion An investigation of the actual including (i) stipulating consistent with the prevailing performance of NBs in Thailand minimum income of credit card monetary and economic policies, between 2002 and 2006, clients to be 15,000 Baht per to avoid loopholes in showed that their bad debt ratios month, (ii) not allowing transactions. Overall, NBs should rose, paring down net profit by maximum lending to exceed five be better monitored and more than half, from 13 per cent times the customer’s monthly controlled to avoid another in 2004 to 5 per cent in 2006. salary, (ii) limiting interest rate financial crisis. and fees for personal loans to 28 In both credit card and personal per cent per annum, (iv) OF SUB-PRIMES AND POPPING loans, non-performing loans BUBBLES (NPL) of the NBs constantly exceeded that of commercial One cannot stop Illustrative of the financial banks, thus raising the overall the Chinese sector’s weaknesses are two NPL of the financial system, export engine phenomena likely to affect the potentially resulting in tension, without affecting region, i.e. (i) the on-going similar to that felt in the sub-prime crisis in the US, which sub-prime crisis of the US. everyone in the will most probably coincide with Though the volume of NB credit supply chain; and the pending slowdown of the is far smaller than that of effects would US economy, and (ii) the popping commercial banks, its effect of of the stock market bubble encouraging customers to certainly ricochet in China. Describing the sub- overspend worsens both in the region. prime crisis as the result inflation and external current of incompetence and crony accounts. capitalism in the US, Dr. Woo requiring minimum debt dubbed it ‘a tale to regale Although NBs have alleviated repayment, and credit card (audiences) with’, which would some difficulties, they were cancellation if debt delinquency be very funny if not for the fact found to generate more risk to persists longer than the stated that it could also hurt East Asia the financial system by over- period, and (v) enlarging the (EA). spending, excessive refinancing membership of the National and mismanagement of Credit Bureau to include NBs *(sub-prime lending, i.e. providing loans so as to assist them in the and mortgages for people with poor credit extension – problems credit histories or who cannot prove their which could easily shake a coun- management of credit quality. incomes, was cast in doubt when some try’s financial stability. The lenders were threatened with bankruptcy) experiences of Hong Kong Furthermore, Dr. Pakorn urged (2002), South Korea (2003) and the government to pursue The consequence of the Taiwan (2006), which clearly preventive and corrective sub-prime crisis would be an demonstrated the threat of risks actions, including (i) establishing inevitable decline in the wealth in credit card and personal loan a common credit rating centre position of the US, largely markets, should serve as a useful among NBs to correctly evaluate because the wealth was illusory reminder. clients’ debt servicing capacity, to begin with, being ranked (ii) conducting on-site examina- higher than it ought to tions of NBs’ actual behaviour, have been, and the financial instead of just using a balance markets’ over-reaction by causing
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a greater disruption in the broader context of the wealth, coming at a time of renmimbi problem, and given economic slowdown. However, that the US Senate has repercussions are not anticipated introduced a Bill that would find to result in an awkward collapse, China guilty of exchange rate of the nature seen in Asean, as manipulation and be subject to instruments of macro-economic 27 per cent tariffs. management will prevent such a collapse; unless the International SEEDS OF PROTECTIONISM Monetary Fund (IMF) is called in and closes the banks Dr. Woo maintained that this precipitously, or imposes ‘unhappiness over China’ is part monetary tightening, as it did in of a larger unhappiness, not over Indonesia, Korea and Thailand. China’s large trade imbalances, but more correctly, over large CRISIS NOT LIKELY UNLESS … Dr Pakorn Vichyanond, Research Director trade balances that EA runs (Financial Sector),Thailand Development Research Institute, Thailand against the rest of the world. One Dr.Woo therefore felt that a crisis cannot stop the Chinese export would occur if the IMF is called in, CRISES OF THE engine without affecting and it makes the mistake of NON-FINANCIAL KIND everyone in the supply chain; applying the same package. As and effects would certainly people are likely to learn from Dr. Woo did not expect a ricochet in the region. their mistakes, he felt it unlikely dramatic collapse in output in that policy errors would be made the countries of origin because This protectionism would appear to accentuate the output of these two financial develop- to come not from trade collapse in the US. ments. A financial collapse in imbalances but the structural South East Asia, if any, would weaknesses within the As for the stock market bubble in mean that nothing was learned developed countries.The answer, China, he believed it was created from the lessons of the 97/98 he proposed, lay in the larger by the large amount of liquidity episode. Some of the region’s phenomenon of globalization, that was in the economy,and was investment houses might be and the unraveling of the Soviet not caused by what has been hurt, having invested in the same Bloc which began in the late often referred to as ‘the loss of ‘garbage’, (as did the American eighties, when the entire Eastern monetary control by the Chinese investment houses in the sub- Central Europe, Central Asia and government’ due to the large prime crisis). Some adventurous Russia, rejoined the international amount of reserves. The people might have gone into the division of labour. With the consequences are unlikely to Chinese stock market via Hong collapse of the Soviet Union, affect corruption in China, and Kong, but he doubted that this China embraced convergence to also unlikely to impact would have much impact on the a private market economy consumption, and certainly, will Asean economies. starting in February 1992 and not affect the balance sheets of with it a flood of foreign direct the firm(s) that made the While he believed that no crisis investment (FDI) . investments. The impact, if there would originate from the is one, would be on the political financial sector, Dr. Woo foresaw WORKER ANXIETY situation, mainly because the a looming crisis from other losers are concentrated in the sources, which would cause the Consequently there was this urban areas. Asian markets to weaken. This is huge integration of people (who seen as coming from the strong had initially chosen to isolate probability of protectionism in themselves), especially into the the developed economies, put in international division of labour.
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The number of workers This was hardly surprising given EXCHANGE RATES participating in global trade the end of the Cold War. The US doubled with the entry of China, and its allies kept its markets Dr. Pakorn noted that discourse India and the Soviet bloc. Going open to imports from Taiwan, in financial circles invariably by all economic models, one Korea, Japan and the rest of EA, gravitate towards the issue of would then predict that wages in simply because these were allies exchange rates. As countries the rich countries would have to in the Cold War. But now the Cold in EA have vastly different fall, the process facilitating this War is over, the US and Western economic fundamentals and being unemployment. Europe are recalculating the undergo different stages of costs and benefits of keeping economic development, he The rising worker anxiety in EU their markets open. This strongly advocated giving more and USA is well documented, but splintering is conspicuous even attention to the subject. claims that this is the result of within the group that is most globalization are apparently not pro-free trade in the US, i.e. the DILEMMA OF THE NBS supported by facts. Wages of the economics profession. blue collar worker in the To accelerate growth, higher US have been increasing, consumption is needed, and accelerating from 2000 onwards Wages of the to sell more product(s) the when US trade imbalances were blue collar worker producer / exporter / seller needs soaring. The unemployment rate in the US have personal loans, credit card(s) and of the last ten years in the US and NB lending. On the other hand, Western Europe is at least 1 per been increasing, to avoid a bubble economy, the cent point lower than it was accelerating from quantity of NB personal loans 10-20 years before. 2000 onwards and credit card lending has to be when US trade minimized. The question of how ROOT OF THE MATTER to exit from this trap remains a imbalances challenge. Dr. Woo contended that the only were soaring reason for this anxiety would be Dr. Pakorn thereby re- the large rise in productivity in emphasized the need for various the rich countries because of Somewhat forebodingly, another government channels to the accelerated rate of sphere within which carefully monitor and supervise technical innovation, which protectionism will be used as an the NBs, whose very close inadvertently results in instrument to implement is interaction or linkages with occupational obsolescence. This global climate change. Dr. Woo domestic CBFCs made the has greatly increased both predicted that the talk of carbon prosperity of NBs all the more productivity and worker anxiety, taxes and so forth would be imperative. resulting in less ‘staying power’in the next guise under which a particular job (8 instead of 12 protectionism will emerge. A REGIONAL MONETARY FUND years, from a study on the US labour force). The changes BRACING FOR FUTURE Dr. Woo attributed past failures brought about greater SHOCKS not to ‘irrationalities’, but rather uncertainty among US workers to the dominance of narrow, over who then erroneously blamed In the ensuing discussion, the broader, interests. Alluding to the it on globalization amidst following are some noteworthy Bretton Woods (World Bank, IMF) a heightened sense of protec- observations made by the two grouping,he proposed a regional tionism, which appeared to be speakers, which appropriately monetary fund, to create a the single biggest threat to high match current sentiments: situation of ‘two heads are better growth of the Asean economy, than one’, thereby reducing the and to the world in general.
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monopoly over global monetary needed infrastructure invest- issues. ments but because it is fighting an unpopular (Iraq) war. The This rallying cry for reform in trade imbalances that we see, he global institutions, he stressed, reminded us, are acquiesced to should be based on meritocracy by the rest of the world, in rather than dominance by post- ‘allowing’ the US to conduct the WW2 distribution of economic war. power. In keeping with the changes the world is TRADE NEGOTIATIONS undergoing, new institutions will have to be created and To increase global integration, redundant ones marginalized. the world has to make sure that the Doha round succeeds. Right THE RISING RENMIMBI now, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is facing a As for the US concern over vacuum in leadership which does the renmimbi’s anticipated not bode well for world trade appreciation (as happened to the and the world economy. Dr. Woo Japanese yen at one time), Dr. urged EA to step out in terms of Woo pointed out that unless taking the leadership of the WTO there is a generalized floating of system. China, which currently all Asian currencies, the US takes a back seat in the WTO overall trade imbalance cannot organization, is expected to take be reduced. At this juncture he on a more active role. posed the question of which is more important – growth or balance of payments?
To devalue, he opined, would certainly be against China’s own interests, given its emergence from a period of deep inefficiency (because of central planning); and its ‘leap-frogging’ in productivity thanks to technological upgrading. On that particular consideration, China’s currency should be appreciating.
DEBTS OF THE US
This, according to Dr. Woo, may not necessarily be a bad thing; rather it depends on what caused the US to accumulate debts.He believes that deficits in the public sector are accumulating not because the government is undertaking
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COMPREHENSIVE tion was on the financial aspect of economic partnership. ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIPS? The first issue of this partnership is the nature of a Free Trade Area By Susan Teoh (FTA); namely, how big and how deep (i.e. how integrated) the Area should be. The question of economic integration and free trade are highly con- tentious issues in international relations today. While East Asia is In the world economy, there are poised to rise to the status of a powerhouse, questions remain over varying stages of development whether the nations of South East Asia can or should enter into a and different models of comprehensive economic partnership with the region and whether economic growth, resulting in an East Asian Community is possible, and if so, how would it be countries possessing unique brought about? Can other bodies like the EU or NAFTA provide a degrees of economic integration. sustainable model? Most would agree that there should be one FTA for the world, but the difficulty is that some countries deregulate faster than The session was chaired by Dr Director for Research, Singapore others while some countries Lee Kyung Tae,P resident, Korea Institute of International Affairs, prefer to move at a slower pace. Institute for International Singapore. The end result is what the WTO is economic Policy, Republic of practicing – the adoption of the Korea. The presenters were: Dr The first speaker, Dr. Woo Wing speed of the country that wants Woo Wing Thye, Senior Fellow, Thye noted that one of the steps to integrate the slowest. Brookings Institute, USA; Dr towards building an East Mahani Zainal Abidin, Director- Asian Community would be to The practice of the WTO is to General, Institute of Strategic establish a comprehensive allow the formation of the FTA so International Studies (ISIS), economic partnership in East that those countries that wish to Malaysia and Dr Hank Lim, Asia. The focus of his presenta- integrate faster can do so. The WTO+ clause allows countries to develop faster economic integration and deregulate the markets more than required by existing WTO regulations. Because of different objectives, circumstances, and different costs, this results in different speeds of integration.
The question for East Asia is how far-reaching should the proposed FTA be. The problem for most FTAs is that they begin and end with the signing of the agreement, with very little (From left) Dr Woo Wing-Thye, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution, USA; Dr Lee Kyung Tae, progress made after. The only President, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, Republic of Korea; Dr Mahani two FTAs that have made Zainal Abidin, Director-General, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia; Dr Hank Lim, Director for Research, Singapore Institute of International Affairs, substantial progress are the EU Singapore. and NAFTA.
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The discussion of East Asian inte- type outcome is more likely for suggested by the Japanese in gration is usually presented in East Asia than an EU outcome. If September 1997. The AMF will forums which focus on free trade, this is true, then all the efforts operate in the same style as the free investment areas, a little on towards an Asian currency unit World Bank and regional labour movement and hints of a are a waste of time and the development banks. There is no common currency but not question that should be asked necessity at all to develop into a political union. Dr. Woo instead is what kind of exchange regional central bank. As questioned the rationale of rate cooperation can take place? mentioned by the Prime Minister having any exchange rate or of Malaysia, the AMF could use monetary cooperation if there The present bilateral and some of its reserves to finance was no intention of forming a multilateral swap arrangements infrastructure projects in the political union or even to have a in East Asia cannot possibly grow poorest countries. The best common currency. to any significant size unless they solution is for East Asia to are assured that this pool of proceed full speed in an FTA In the case of NAFTA, the US reserves are used only to defend endowed with the largest economy dwarfs both the exchange rates that are being membership possible in Asia and economies of Canada and supplement it with a regional Mexico and any changes in the monetary fund. latter economies will not have The existing much impact on the US, whose linkages need The second presenter, Dr. economy would conversely have Mahani Zainal Abidin, focused a large impact on Canada and government-to- on the broader aspects of Mexico.It is natural for the largest government the processes of economic country to take only its own initiatives to partnership in Asean. There are economic situation into account overcome the currently two tracks towards when it sets its own monetary regional integration in East Asia – policy. The small countries will barriers of trade, the Asean Plus Three (APT) and find it in their interest to use the lowering trade the Asean Plus Six (APS) with exchange rate as an instrument costs and increas- Asean as the core. to shelter themselves from ing trade and aftershocks emanating from the There are two processes for large economy. As a result, the investment regional integration and commu- currencies of Mexico and Canada nity building in East Asia. First is survived as an instrument to the market-led process where shelter against the fluctuations attacked for reasons not based the market drives industry of the US greenback. on fundamentals. In other words, and businesses through the if a country has pursued networking of businesses and In the case of East Asia, the irresponsible policies that caused production with factories in the economic giant at present is exchange rates to be grossly region or investments. Japan with China fast-rising to overvalued, none of its fellow this status. If there is to be members would want to lend The second is state-led currency integration now, it will it money to defend the integration, which is driven be a yen bloc today but a yuan overvalued exchange rate. A by government through bloc in the future. The question regional surveillance mechanism agreements. The best example is that follows therefore is what is necessary therefore in order to the Asian community model sort of mechanism would allow monitor the situation. where integration progresses switching from one bloc to from a custom union to an another? A regional surveillance economic community, finally mechanism can take the form of resulting in a single market with Dr. Woo believes that a NAFTA- an Asian Monetary Fund (AMF) as a free flow of goods, people and
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capital. The two existing wider region of the Asia Pacific. processes of the state-led The progress of economic integration are the APT and the integration in APEC is very slow APS. Whether Asean is the right because it is a voluntary process. model for regional integration is Through the years, APEC still questionable. If Asean liberalization has not expanded integration is used as a starting significantly because it is not point, then Asean Plus needs to clearly defined. Presently, the build on what Asean has focus of APEC has moved beyond achieved and concur with what economic integration to other Asean aspires to achieve. The issues, including climate change. Asean process, moving in stages from goods to services and to Dr. Mahani concluded that the investment is a slower process, current strongest economic giving time for adjustment and linkage is with APT. The existing taking a longer time to achieve Dr. Mahani Zainal Abidin, Director- linkages need government-to- General, Institute of Strategic and economic integration. However, International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia government initiatives to the model now aims to do delivering her paper overcome the barriers of trade, everything together, meaning lowering trade costs and that goods, services and increasing trade and investment investment are now moving at the East Asia Summit (EAS) within APT.Established areas the same time, giving less time leading to the third EAS meeting of co-operation to support for adjustment. in September 2007. economic partnership are already available and the goal of The market-driven process is It has to be pointed out that community building in APT easier to achieve as trade and while these two processes of APT cannot be dismissed lightly. investment linkages are already and APS exist, almost all of the established. Factors such as the East Asian countries have The third speaker, Dr. Hank Lim, FDI, Japan’s role, the growing role bilateral arrangements of their focused on the latest trends in of China and other source own. Asean as a group has regional, sub-regional and countries, and growth in bilateral arrangements with bilateral FTAs and the challenges intra-firm and intra-regional China, South Korea, Japan and and implications. He highlighted trade have assisted in bringing India. Japan, too, has its own a number of FTAs that may trade and investment linkages bilateral arrangements with project a potential trend or together to further East Asian other Asean countries like sub-regional architecture. integration. Market driven Singapore, Malaysia, etc. Each of processes move at a faster pace the Asean countries have their First is the Korea-US FTA. The than state-led processes. own FTAs. In addition, China, conclusion of this FTA between Japan, Korea and some Asean the US and South Korea may set The APT, a state-driven process, countries have concluded a off a chain reaction to revive the was started in 1997 and number of FTAs with countries stalled FTA initiative between institutionalised in 1999 with outside the East Asian region. Japan and South Korea and a few measures being There are therefore two levels of between China and South Korea. implemented. The APT process operation: one is the regional Its effect may herald the is not only focused on economic level which aims for greater emergence of the Northeast Asia integration but has other cooperation, and the other level FTA which is a vital to link to the mechanisms that support the where each country is pursuing Asean Economic Community network, such as NEAT, East its own interests. (AEC). Asia Forum, etc. This was followed by the establishment of APEC is involved in integrating a Second is the Free Trade Area for
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Asia Pacific (FTAAP) which was frameworks: Another question raised was discussed at the recent APEC how the different proposals Summit in Sydney in August 1. Asean+3 leading to EAFTA towards an integrated FTA for the 2007. It was agreed to 2. Asean+6 resulting in CEPA East Asian region should be dealt further explore the initiative which was initiated by Japan with. The Joint Expert Group without further commitment but seems to have lost some recommended in its Report that from the APEC major players impetus on thepart of the East Asia should strive for such as China, Japan, Korea Japanese. a high quality FTA that and Asean, who are not 3. FTAAP – there is no support is comprehensive in scope, supportive of the US initiative. from Asean, China, South removing trade and investment Korea and Japan. barriers, strengthening capacity Asean, itself, has also made and fostering open regionalism. a number of FTAs. This Dr. Hank Lim raised the issue This will lead to further includes the Asean-Japan of the sequence of FTA deepening of economic Comprehensive Economic development. It is difficult at this integration, enhancing the Partnership Agreement which point in time because of the competitiveness of production was completed in August 2007 complexity of issues, external networks and will progressively in Manila and signed in factors and the limited quality of reduce development gaps November 2007 in Singapore. It the bilateral and sub-regional among East Asian countries. The could be an important FTAs. As a result, it is much more policy recommendations are mechanism and impetus to the difficult to envisage the aimed to avoid distortions and to emerging East Asia Free Trade definitive framework of the cause the region to converge Area (EAFTA). regional FTA. rather than diverge.
Another is the Asean-South The APT modality is thought to Lastly, in order to achieve a high Korea FTA which would have be the most feasible if the Asean quality regional FTA, it is further implications to the Economic Community can link necessary that EAFTA be ultimate convergence of up with a possible North East negotiated and implemented as Northeast Asia and Asean within Asian FTA consisting of a single package through a the framework of EAFTA. On the China, Japan and South Korea. gradual and progressive other hand, the Asean-India FTA This development has been approach. has been postponed due to a activated due to the recent conflict of issues. This is the conclusion of the Korea-US FTA. problem that affects the APS in However, this is on the terms of modality. assumption that AEC is the hub, and Asean would have to be Similarly, the Asean-CER more competitive and be able to (Australia and New Zealand) FTA attract more FDI. If the AEC does negotiation is still in progress as not proceed as expected or the CER wanted to include issues envisaged, then this FTA would of intellectual property and have a problem. competition policy, which are sensitive issues for Asean. In Meanwhile, the East Asia addition, Australia and New Summit framework is currently Zealand prefer to have a single conceptualised as the supporting undertaking and comprehensive mechanism to provide the approach in negotiating an FTA strategic platform and mecha- with Asean. nism to APT on broad strategic issues vital to the East Asia There are 3 possible regional FTA region.
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SHIFT IN ECONOMIC The session opened with a speech cum presentation by the GRAVITY TO EAST ASIA: Honorable Dr. Surin Pitsuwan. IMPLICATIONS Asean has a lot of support, particularly from China, Japan By Zarina Zainuddin and South Korea said Dr. Pitsuwan. As a collection of As the East Asian region assumes a position of political and flexible and non-belligerent economic pre-eminence, South East Asia and its regional grouping, small to medium-sized countries, Asean is confronted with the question of how to position itself in Asean provides an ideal neutral relation to the new situation. Could, for instance, a North or East venue for regional powers to Asian regional body emerge as a competitor or even rival to Asean? meet in order to discuss issues of Would Asean, as it stands be able to meet such a challenge, or are mutual concerns. This ability serious structural and ideological reforms necessary? These issues were discussed in the First Session of the 5th East Asia Congress on allows Asean to assume the the 3rd of December 2007. status of a premier regional grouping. The session was chaired by Tan Tae, President, Korea Institute for Asean has been expanding its Sri Razali Ismail, Chairman, IRIS International Economic Policy, sphere of influence, perhaps at Corporation Berhad, Malaysia; Republic of Korea and Dr. too fast a pace to engage other the speaker was His Excellency Djisman Simandjuntak, Executive powers not only from the Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Asean Director and Senior Faculty surrounding region, but also Secretary–General Designate, Member, Prasetiya Mulya beyond, such as the United while the commentators were: Business School and Chairman of States, Europe, Latin America and Mr.Tadashi Yamamoto, President, the Board of Directors, Centre for even the Middle East. This has Japan Centre for International Strategic and International led to the perception that Asean Exchange, Japan; Dr Lee Kyung Studies Foundation, Indonesia. ought to concentrate first on consolidating its own affairs. This realisation materialised in the increased emphasis and focus on regional groupings such as the East Asian Summit (EAS), Asean + 3 and more recently Asean 10.
The aspirations of Asean 10 culminated in the signing of the Asean Charter, and efforts to increase intra-Asean trade, such as efforts towards the One Investment Region. Dr. Pitsuwan advised that Asean has to stay competitive and attractive to remain on the radar of outside powers, and one way of doing so is to achieve sustainable economic growth. (From left) Dr Lee Kyung Tae, President, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, Republic of Korea; HE Dr Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Secretary-General Designate; Tan Sri Razali Ismail, Chairman, IRIS Corporation Berhad, Malaysia; Mr Tadashi Yamamoto, Dr. Pitsuwan lamented the President, Japan Centre for International Exchange, Japan; Dr Djisman Simandjuntak, exclusion of an Asean Executive Director and Senior Faculty Member, Prasetiya Mulya Business School and representative at the Six Party International Studies Foundation, Indonesia.
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East Asian Association would, far from being a marginalising fac- tor, in fact serve as an impetus for Asean to spur economic integration as well as strengthen its own mechanisms.
Together, said Mr. Lee, the two associations would spur the processes of East Asian community building. A strong East Asian community would be HE Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Asean Secretary-General most beneficial particularly given their strong economic Talks and is wary about the centrality in the region. In order performance to act as an engine possibility of a North East Asian to do so, it needs to consolidate of growth to the global economy grouping that excludes an Asean its position and affairs, promote especially given the problems presence. He wondered if Asean transparency and accountability, facing the US economy at had already lost its power, and restructure and energize present time (e.g. the subprime attractiveness and its position as itself. mortgage problem). the region’s center point. He also mentioned President Bush’s The first discussant for this The final discussant Mr. Djisman alliance of democracies’ initiative session was Mr. Tadashi Simandjuntak, commented that whose proposed members Yamamoto, who said that, based Asean needs to tackle the include only some Asean on Japan’s experience, one can problems and obstacles it faces members. expect that established powers in order to strengthen the body will engage in earnest, the rising and ensure its relevance. Among He proposed that Asean seek a economic powers of East Asia in the issues that need to be new identity and a new role. He the global arena.This is partly out addressed include: the structural feels that Asean should not of the desire of the former imbalances in economic growth remain the aloof and elitist nations to contain the within Asean; the rise of organization that it has been rising power of East Asia, and China; the slow response of thus far, and there is a real need partly as an attempt to exert government initiatives in terms to expand Asean ideas to people their influence on it. Such efforts of reforms for example; and the of the region and to energize have already begun in cases of increasing development costs integration amongst member China, Asean and India. such as deforestation, depletion states. According to Dr. Pitsuwan, of fishery stocks, and extraction it is necessary to engage with The second discussant was of fossil fuels. and promote dialogue among Korea’s Mr. Lee Kyun Tae, who civil society and the people in presented a case for an Asean- Asean also needs to reach order to promote the values type organisation for North East out to the common people, and aspirations of Asean. Asian countries to deal with strengthen the Asean Additionally, he also highlighted outstanding issues as well as to institutions including the Asean the need to tackle issues of good foster closer ties among the Secretariat, improve policy governance and transparency nations. In response to claims implementation mechanisms within Asean. that a North East Asian associa- and look for new/ tion would marginalise Asean, alternative sources of growth – In conclusion, Dr. Pitsuwan noted Mr. Lee asserted that in terms of i.e. technology based growth or that Asean needs to remain security and economics a North resource based growth. relevant and maintain its
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IMPROVING MALAYSIA-INDONESIA BILATERAL RELATIONS By Shahriman Lockman
Indonesia is and has always been a strategic partner of vital Mr. Sandiaga’s immediate importance to Malaysia. The two countries have deep political, predecessor as HIPMI’s Chairman, economic and cultural ties, but these have been beset by challenges Muhammad Lufti, now heads as of late. What can be done to strengthen bilateral ties between the Indonesian Investment Indonesia and Malaysia? Prominent Indonesian businessman Coordinating Board. Agung Sandiaga S. Uno, Chairman, Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Laksono, the Speaker of Association (HIPMI) addressed this pertinent question recently in an Indonesia’s House of ISIS Forum. Representatives, was a member. So was Aburizal Bakrie, a highly Sandiaga S. Uno has some successful businessman ranked persuading to do. The 38-year- by Forbes magazine in 2007 as old Indonesian entrepreneur Indonesia’s richest person. Mr. would like to see stronger Bakrie currently serves as the relations between his country country’s Coordinating Minister and Malaysia, especially among for People’s Welfare. youths and business people. But some of his fellow The importance of Malaysia’s Indonesians do not seem to relations with Indonesia is share his enthusiasm. ‘At a difficult to exaggerate.‘Indonesia recent seminar of young is, by far, the most important Indonesian entrepreneurs, I was country to Malaysia,’ said Dato’ asked why I advocate closer Sandiaga S. Uno, Chairman, Indonesian Seri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan, relations,’ said Mr. Sandiaga. That Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Chairman and CEO of ISIS the question was even asked Malaysia, in his opening remarks suggests that some Indonesians said, had excess capital, while as Chair of the Forum. His point do not perceive Malaysia very Indonesia offered excellent was underlined by the favourably, much less support opportunities for investments. presence of several prominent the strengthening of ties Better relations can only further individuals who had played between the two countries. boost investment links between significant roles in shaping the two countries. Malaysia’s foreign policy.‘Some of Sandiaga was speaking at an my former bosses are here,’ said International Affairs Forum on As Chairman of the influential Dato’ Seri Jawhar, who was ‘Malaysia-Indonesia Relations: Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Counsellor at the Malaysian Assessment and the Way Association – commonly referred Embassy in Jakarta in the Forward’ on 9 April 2008 at the to by its Indonesian acronym, mid-1970s. Institute of Strategic and HIPMI - Mr. Sandiaga is well International Studies (ISIS) placed to cultivate relationships One of them was Tan Sri Zainal Malaysia. As Managing Director between future leaders in the Abidin Sulong, who served as of Saratoga Capital, one of corporate and public sectors of Secretary-General of the Ministry the largest Indonesia-focused both countries. HIPMI has some of Foreign Affairs in the private equity funds, Sandiaga – 25,000 members in 30 of mid-1980s and as Chairman of or ‘Sandi’ as he is better known – Indonesia’s provinces. Several of ISIS Malaysia throughout much sees great potential in the its former members have of the 1990s. He was part of the economic spillover of stronger assumed senior positions in Malaysian delegation to Jakarta bilateral relations. Malaysia, he the Indonesian government. on 11 August 1966 for the
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signing of the Peace Agreement Estimates for the number that formally ended Konfrontasi, of undocumented Indonesian a limited and undeclared war workers are hard to come by, but One of the between Indonesia and Malaysia a conservative rule of greatest that had begun some three years thumb is that for every four successes earlier. His term as Malaysian Indonesian workers, one of the APR lies in its Ambassador to Indonesia in is undocumented. Fearing tangible advantage 1972-1977 is remembered as the deportation, undocumented of building networks golden age of bilateral relations. workers avoid any contact with and confidence the Malaysian authorities. This in a frank and Few people, if any, would presents the opportunity for friendly consider Malaysia-Indonesia abuse at the hands of employers, environment relations today to be as friendly who often force undocumented as it was in the 1970s. ‘Relations workers to work strenuously long have gone down in the last two hours, often with little or no pay. before outlining his recommen- to three years,’ said Sandiaga. dations. Trading and investment Indeed, for many Malaysians, Given the sheer numbers relations would be a good bilateral ties seem to have involved, Malaysian authorities start, said Sandiaga. ‘There become much less cordial since are finding it difficult to ensure is a lot of potential in the International Court of Justice that foreign workers - even Indonesia’s agricultural, mining (ICJ) judgement in December documented ones - are properly and construction sectors.’ 2002 on the overlapping claims treated by their employers. Co-operation in education and by the two countries over the Indeed, there have been several tourism were among the areas islands of Sipadan and Ligitan. high-profile cases of abuse that Sandiaga identified as The ICJ’s decision in Malaysia’s involving Indonesian domestic having the potential to help favour appeared to have stoked helpers. According to Sandiaga, improve relations between the considerable anger among the the Indonesian public was two countries. Indonesian public. deeply angered and offended by the alleged abuse of Nirmala One of Sandiaga’s recommenda- But the two islands are not the Bonat, a domestic helper from tions proved to be contentious, primary source of Indonesian West Timor. Ms. Nirmala’s former at least for some of the Malaysian resentment towards Malaysia. employer has been accused of participants of the forum. The ‘The central issue for Indonesians having scorched her with a hot two countries, he said, should is the treatment of TKI in iron and scalded her with hot avoid putting too much Malaysia,’ said Sandiaga, using water. Mr. Sandiaga added emphasis on the concept of the Indonesian acronym for that many Indonesians were serumpun, which is roughly Indonesian migrant workers.‘It is frustrated by the perceived delay translated as ‘of the same stock’. difficult to improve relations in concluding the court case Serumpun refers to the perceived between Indonesia and Malaysia against the former employer.The ethnic, cultural and historical if this is not solved.’ abuse allegedly took place in links between the Malay- 2004. speaking peoples of the two Malaysia relies heavily on foreign countries. labour. About 2.1 million workers Apart from improving the – almost 20 per cent of Malaysia’s treatment of Indonesian migrant A Malaysian participant asked total workforce – are foreigners. workers, Sandiaga said that the whether it was wise to discard At last count in November 2007, two countries could do a what was seen as an ‘advantage’ there were almost 1.2 million lot more to cultivate stronger in Malaysia-Indonesia relations. documented workers from bilateral relations. ‘We need to Sandiaga responded by Indonesia in the country. look at our respective strengths saying that serumpun did not and weaknesses’, he said, necessarily lead to stronger
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bilateral relations. Many issues involving the two countries, he said, had become overblown – precisely because of serumpun. ‘The abuse of Indonesian workers also happens in other countries,’ he said. ‘But because of serumpun, it hurts more when it happens in Malaysia’. He added that the concept was inappropriate given the sheer diversity of Indonesia. ‘If you go to Papua province, you would not think that Indonesia and Malaysia are serumpun.’
In his remarks at the end of the forum, Dato’ Seri Jawhar said that many people in both Malaysia and Indonesia would find it difficult to completely discard the concept of serumpun.The concept, he said, had been seen as a crucial ingredient in cultivating bilateral relations following Konfrontasi and had been invoked regularly by the political leaders and diplomats of both countries ever since. Nevertheless, he too was of the view that it was wise to move beyond serumpun and situate the relations between the two neighbours in a more dispassionate and strategic context. Dato’ Seri Jawhar concluded the forum noting that the most important task for both countries was to co-operate in ensuring that Indonesian migrant workers were treated with respect throughout their stay in Malaysia. ≤≤≥
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THE 2008 GENERAL focusing on the outcomes and implications of the General ELECTION RESULTS : Election. OUTCOMES AND The Forum was held over two IMPLICATIONS sessions:
By Mohamed Reaz Abdullah The first session catering primarily to a local audience, was The 12th General Election, which was held on the 8th of March 2008 chaired by Dato’ Seri Mohamed was a watershed in Malaysia's history. The unprecedented results Jawhar Hassan, Chairman & CEO hold significant political, economic and social implications for the of ISIS Malaysia, while the lead nation. What factors influenced the vote, and what will this mean speakers were : for Malaysia? • Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, President, International Movement for a Just World he 2008 General Election bore in an apparent protest against (JUST), some unanticipated results. the Government’s perceived T • Prof. Dato’ Dr. Shamsul Amri Firstly, the Barisan Nasional lost failure to meet the needs of the Baharudin, Founding Director, its two-third majority in people. Institute of Ethnic Studies Parliament for the first time since (KITA), UKM, and 1969, winning 140 parliamentary The outcomes, implications • Ms. Rita Sim, Deputy seats, while the Opposition and reasons for this Chairman, Institute of managed to win 82 seats. uncharacteristically wide swing Strategic Analysis & Policy Secondly, Barisan Nasional lost of the political pendulum at the Research (INSAP). four states in the West Coast to 12th General Election need to be the Opposition, namely Selangor, well understood to gain better The second session was chaired Penang, Perak and Kedah. The insight into the changes in the by former Deputy Prime Minister, Opposition also retained democratic process in Malaysia. Tun Musa Hitam. The speakers Kelantan with a bigger majority. In this regard, ISIS Malaysia had were the same as in Session One. Thirdly, both Malays and non- convened a forum on 10 March This session catered to the Malays voted for the Opposition 2008 to deliberate on this matter, diplomatic corps and foreign media representatives.
MAIN POINTS OF THE PRESENTATIONS AT THE FORUM
On BN and UMNO leaderships
The results of the 2008 General Election were totally unexpected and have serious implications on the Barisan Nasional and UMNO leadership.The results were Prof. Shamsul, Dr. Chandra and Tun Musa at the Forum on the 2008 General Election. similar to those in the 1969 General Election. It was generally felt that there was a need for
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UMNO and Barisan Nasional to Federal-State relations Opposition had tried to forge reinvent themselves to regain cooperative linkages to defeat the support of the people. This The federal-state relations are the Barisan Nasional and to bring depended, to a large extent, on likely to be significantly more about a change in the political the ability of the top leadership fractious now, particularly with leadership. It is important to to address issues like five states in Peninsular Malaysia acknowledge the significant role the perception of rampant under Opposition control. To played by Anwar Ibrahim in both corruption, rising prices, the poor prevent administrative legal and the 1999 and 2008 General image of the judiciary, racial and political deadlocks, it is advisable Elections.However,time will tell if religious conflicts and the for both sides to make the such linkages hold. perceived marginalisation of Federal Constitution the minority communities. In reference point in their decisions Other observations addition, as the states of Sabah and actions. and Sarawak had saved the • Of the 15.1 million people Barisan Nasional from near total Ethnic relations eligible to register as defeat, they should be amply voters, only 10.9 million compensated in terms of While much more work needs actually registered as positions in the cabinet and civil to be done to enhance ethnic voters.Of this number,only service, university admissions, relations, there is a possibility 7.7 million voted (71 etc. that the alliance among DAP,PAS percent). Of the 3.2 million and PKR might blunt the sharper registered voters who did How will PAS and DAP work edges of ethnicity inherent in not vote, about 60 -70 per together at the State and each of the parties. What is cent were Malay. Parliamentary levels? certain, however, is that the • In Penang the people were Opposition will meet with exceptionally quiet before T here was sceptism as to the difficulties similar to those faced the Election and did not extent of cooperation possible by the Barisan Nasional in give any indication how between PAS and DAP,with their addressing issues of a religious they would cast their distinctively different political and ethnic nature. votes. ideologies, goals and views on • The Opposition parties religion, politics, culture, among Is there really an opposition? were found to be much others.While PAS tried to portray better organised than the a more flexible and moderate A view was expressed that there Barisan Nasional. image, it was felt that it would was no real ‘Opposition’ in the • The Opposition does not reassert its dogmatic views and Malaysian political context but have any experience in the policies if it comes to power at ‘Oppositionism’ – a combination administration of State, the Federal level. Thus, there was of disparate elements, such as government except for little commonality of purpose the Opposition political parties, PAS, which has ruled among them. On PKR, a NGOs coming together with, Kelantan and Terengganu. multi-ethnic party with a among others, the help of the • Some Chinese voters substantial number of Malay Internet and blogs. Malaysian voted for PAS, while some members had successfully politics is thus dominated by a Malay voters voted for managed to play up the one-party system, with a degree DAP. supposed multi-ethnic card. of ‘Oppositionism’ in the political • In the states of Sabah and Chinese and Indian grassroots structure. Historically, the Sarawak, Barisan Nasional members of PKR voted with their Opposition had always been had won 54 out of 56 seats, feet on issues important to their weak. The 1999 General Election far more than MCA and individual communities. was, however, a political MIC combined. watershed of sorts, where the • The Election was one of the freest in Malaysian
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history. example. They were angry levels, including the grassroots • T here is no need for at the Government for its level. In this regard, there is a Barisan Nasional to panic inability to eradicate need to project a unified Barisan just because it does not corruption and provide Nasional identity, and not the have a 2/3 majority in greater freedoms. The identities of the component Parliament. In other mainstream media had parties. democratic countries, lost much credibility in the Barisan Nasional’s win eyes of the younger voters. As there are 52 Barisan would be seen as a good • The 2008 General Election Nasional seats in Sabah and result. results show that Malaysia Sarawak, what if they join the • While the Government is becoming more Opposition to press for succeeded in creating a democratic. The results various demands? sizeable middle class, it should not be interpreted was the educated and by foreigners that Response: independent middle class Malaysia is weakening. If the Sabah and Sarawak Barisan that ‘punished’ the Nasional Members of Parliament Government in the want something, they will ask General Election. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR: Barisan Nasional first.The Federal • The Malays were Government must recognise the previously conservative, How can Barisan Nasional significance of Sabah and traditional and feudal, and regain voter support in the Sarawak and ensure that they generally followed the future? have more high Government leader. They have now positions in the cabinet, the changed. Response: bureaucracy, etc. This is one way • The Chinese were For the Government to regain to retain them. previously apolitical and the peoples’ support three How will the election results preferred to focus their factors need to be addressed: affect the future of UMNO? attention on their business activities. They are now Personalities: The new cabinet Response: apparently more political. should inspire confidence and While there are 12-13 million • The Indians, in particular should not include those with Malays from the 27 million the Tamils, feel that they tainted reputations. Those population in the country, there are marginalized. Indians appointed should be imaginative are only 2,500 UMNO are not a homogenous and bold. The same applies for delegates to elect the UMNO group. state-level appointments. leaders. The 2008 General • The new and young voters Issues: Economic issues like Election results will definitely and the Internet have had rising prices, the provision of affect the UMNO elections in a significant impact on the subsidies, etc. need to be 2008. UMNO members are 2008 General Election. The urgently addressed. Religious already thinking about the power and potential of and racial issues are equally coming UMNO elections, and digital democracy were important and should be intra party polarisation is largely ignored by the addressed. If such issues are not evident. There is doubt if UMNO politicians. The actors and satisfactorily addressed, the can resolve the Malay underclass participants in digital Opposition would exploit them problems, whoever the President democracy were generally for political advantage. is. The Malay middle class educated, independent unhappiness with the issue of and aware of their Structure:There is a need for intra-Malay wealth distribution is democratic rights. They Barisan Nasional to promote the the main reason why they are not demanded more freedom multi-ethnic approach at all reacting resolutely to the call to and less corruption, for
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abolish the NEP. during the Mahathir-Musa era, PKR may not join the Barisan the ‘Bersih, Cekap, Amanah’ Nasional coalition, as its allies are Can Barisan Nasional and campaign was first initiated but ready to form their own UMNO act with boldness and later quietly aborted, as some grouping. If a severe crisis in imagination to rise above their UMNO members were adversely UMNO is anticipated in the partisan interests and rectify affected by the campaign.Such is coming months, and if Anwar their shortcomings to address the political reality. Ibrahim sees the opportunity, he the issues of concern facing might try to rejoin UMNO or the nation? Can the In such departments and bring PKR into the Barisan Opposition also follow suit? agencies as the Police Nasional fold. Force, Immigration, Customs Response: Department, the Road Transport As for the Malays, some of their This General Election was a vivid Department and local grievances were perceptions expression of the cumulative governments, corruption must that: anger of the people against what be addressed by appointing they perceived to be injustices. people with integrity to high • The PM was bending To better understand the feelings positions within. The nexus backwards to accommodate of the people, this election between industry and political non-Malay demands, including should be compared with that in power must be removed. Leaders those of Hindraf, and 1969. must demonstrate leadership • Islam’s position was being and boldness by taking unpopu- challenged. For UMNO to be bold and lar steps, if necessary. imaginative it has to dismantle The Chinese rejected BN due to, its existing network of interests, Various opinion polls had among others: which would result in turmoil revealed that Chinese and within UMNO. Indians were unhappy, •The repetition of the keris resulting in the weakening of episode, and In the case of the Opposition, Barisan Nasional component • Anwar’s promise that he DAP, PAS and PKR had failed to parties like MCA, MIC, would eliminate the NEP. consult each other in the Gerakan, etc. Would they preparation of their party’s contemplate leaving the As for the Indians,the rejection of individual manifestos. coalition? On the other hand, BN was due to, among others: Malay unhappiness remained The urban electorate has undetected. Why? • The demolition of temples demonstrated a measure of and cases related to religious boldness and imagination. These Response: conversions. qualities should also be MCA was rejected because it was demonstrated by the grassroots, perceived as being unable to It would however, be a big and not solely by the leadership. stand up against UMNO.MCA did mistake for the Chinese and a little bit better in 2008 than in Indians to reject or ignore UMNO For the record, the Prime Minister 1969. They are now dominance. In reality, Malaysia had tried in 2004 to address considering whether to remain in had emerged from the Malay some of these concerns raised by Barisan Nasional. MCA knows polity. This is a basic fact that various quarters. For example, very little about UMNO. MCA many non-Malays have not come when he took up the issue of could possibly leave the Barisan to terms with. DAP brashly corruption and transparency, for Nasional, reinvent itself ignores this history, while PAS instance, there was a backlash outside Barisan Nasional, and and UMNO will not budge on that resulted in the erosion of later return to the fold. PPP, MIC, their stand. PKR will lose Malay support for his leadership. It is and Gerakan have been almost support if it concedes on this very tough to be clean. Even wiped out. point.
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Is it possible for Anwar to be Will UMNO lose power? How the reaction of the voters to the next Prime Minister? will it handle the present such an alliance? crisis? Response: Response: Anwar will ensure that he is Response: By 2020, hopefully there will be always relevant by continually Look at UMNO’s past crises, no race consciousness.The future reinventing himself. Anwar had where it succeeded, e.g. the 1998 divide is likely to be more agreed that Keadilan should sacking of Anwar; the Team A between the Muslims and non- be a Malay-based (i.e. Malay Team B crisis in 1988; and the Muslims, rather than between majority) multi-ethnic party 1969 crisis in UMNO, which is the Malays and non-Malays. Non- (distinguishing itself from closest to the current crisis. This Muslims must be realistic about Gerakan, PPP, etc) because he crisis was resolved partly by the future situation and should believes this strategy can win Emergency Rule under NOC and support the more universal votes. If UMNO is in crisis, Anwar the internal coup against Tunku and inclusive Muslims. The will go for the Prime Minister’s Abdul Rahman to save UMNO. narrowness and chauvinism of post. some Muslims, even in the middle UMNO needs to reinvent itself to class, and in UMNO, PAS or PKR, is Do voters now think that they remain in power. How UMNO a very big challenge. It is difficult might have overdone it in handles the current crisis is very voting for the Opposition? to say if Muslims would later important. It is unbelievable that become more inclusive. The Response: there is no emergency, no civil Prime Minister is aware of this Inter-racial knowledge and disorder, no NOC after this problem, so he has introduced understanding is very superficial. general election. This is partly Islam Hadhari. If Muslims are not MCA hardly knows anything due to the Prime Minister’s inclusive, it would be very about UMNO. The Opposition responses. Whether things will difficult for Malaysia. raised a lot of money via the remain that way in the next few Internet and during ceramahs. months remains to be seen. The The executive, legislative and Their rule over five state Police Chief has been very good. judiciary should be indepen- Governments will give them dent and more or less equal. A population projection says more resources in future Will this become so in that by 2020 there will be 80% elections.As such, the 2012 Malaysia after this? Malays/Bumiputras. What General Election may even be would be the impact of this on more defining than the one in Response: Malaysian politics? 2008. Since 2004, Malaysia has been moving in that direction to UMNO only won 2/3 of what they Response: reduce the dominance of contested for parliament. This is There would then be more the Executive. A series of very significant. Malay-majority seats. Parliamentary committees have been established to perform Will UMNO disintegrate? In the Barisan Nasional only oversight functions. The UMNO represents the Malays. Chairman of the Public Accounts Response: With the projected population Committees, one of the UMNO will not disintegrate. A lot profile in 2020, would UMNO most important parliamentary of members leave UMNO but become stronger? In the committees, is an UMNO leader, then come back again. Time and Opposition, PKR and PAS both who is known as a gadfly.This is a again UMNO has survived. There represent the Malays. Could significant change in Malaysia. are a lot of disagreements the Malay-based parties, PKR The new Chief Justice is a very among members but they and PAS, join Barisan Nasional independent person and is always find a way to come back. in the future? What would be respected in judicial circles for his
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doubtful if the Opposition achieve this too.
The five states under the Opposition are close to each other geographically. Is there any particular significance in this? Response: Many areas in the West Coast i.e. Penang, Selangor, Federal Territory and Perak, are urban. Rita Sim at the Forum on the 2008 This is an urban factor and is General Election dominated by the Chinese.
independence, for example, in In 1969, the Opposition also did the release of Anwar. The well in Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, Judiciary is now more conscious Perak and Selangor. Johor has of its independence. Further always been a solid UMNO improvements are of course supporter. This is due to the possible. area-specific political history.
What are the Opposition What is the impact of the leadership’s issues? election on the economy? Response: Response: There is a need to evaluate both There is evidence that there is Government and Opposition some panic because Barisan leaders on the same principles. Nasional did not get a 2/3 This is not done by some majority. Business people are not critics and NGOs. Politicians are used to this.KLSE was suspended politicians wherever they are, at 4 p.m. today due to panic Government or Opposition, selling. The investors will be doing all sorts of things to back after they see that pursue power. People will now Malaysians can manage their evaluate the Opposition on their politics. Business people only huge promises. Can the want stability, whoever is Opposition parties rise above in power. Every state their own ethnicities? The leaders government welcomes investors in Government have so far risen and business people, even above their races on critical Kelantan. Opposition states will issues, and this has resulted in compete with Barisan Nasional peace so far. Malaysia has been states for investment. Maybe this highly successful in this area. is a chance for businesses to Malaysia is one of the most decouple themselves from successful multiethnic countries politics. Companies may then in the world, given the compete more on merit than on complexities of Malaysia. It is connections.
76 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 BOOK REVIEW ISIS FOCUS
Charm Offensive: How China's way or another by the West. It is here where China succeeds in Soft Power Is Transforming the promoting itself as having an World effective model for social and by Joshua Kurlantzick economic success and side steps domestic issues faced by these countries. It is here, that the US pales by comparison, as a model visit to Cambodia, he received a for third world countries. hero’s reverence and welcome where thousands of Cambodian Kurlantzick also highlights the children lined the streets, waving trouble that lies ahead with the tiny Chinese flags or small rise of China, especially when photographs of Jiang’s face. Beijing’s interest and that of Before Jiang’s visit, China had Washington clearly overlap. quietly laid the groundwork in multiple fronts. For years, Beijing The author describes how China had become Cambodia’s major develops its soft powers in an provider of foreign aid. Chinese environment where the US is language schools and pro- clearly failing in similar areas. He grammes sprung up in Phnom shows how China has matured in In the Preface of this Penh. its realisation that employing book, Joshua Kurlantzick force has not benefitted her in acknowledges that the book In this respect, Cambodia is the past. Also, to a greater extent, represents an attempt to close hardly unique. China has been China is compelled to adopt a the knowledge gap about China capitalizing the attractiveness of foreign policy that is different and its increasingly sophisticated its culture, diplomacy, businesses from the US, especially since diplomacy, which has and will and arts to grow its its soft America has significantly transform international relations. power. stepped up its use of hard power.
Kurlantzick's analysis on China’s Since the late 1990s, perceptions This is the one the few books, or rise to power and international of China across the developing perhaps the only one that influence focuses on an often world have been transformed, closely examines how China ‘s unmentioned area of ‘soft power’. and countries have come to view renewed reliance of soft power There are several definitions of China as a partner, and even a has carved a friendlier image of soft power, and in the context of friend. Obviously, the use of soft the country. In fact, its new China, it basically refers to power has given China the diplomacy has influenced the power outside of the military opportunity to project itself as a Asian region and changed its sphere, including diplomacy, aid, model of social and economic landscape. In the conclusion the investment, and economic tools. success, and through this it has author bravely opines that China China has used this to mend forged ties with foreign nations. may be the first nation after the bridges, close the gaps and Such alliances serve China well. Soviet Union to challenge the capture the hearts and minds of global influence of America. the international community. In this book, Kurlantzick focuses on China's pursuit of developing Reviewed by Zarina Nalla As an example, whatever Mao nations in Southeast Asia, Africa, Zedong did to support the Latin America, and Central Khmer Rouge in the past seemed Asia – areas of the globe that to have been forgotten, and may have been alienated in one when Jiang Zemin made his first
ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 77 ISIS FOCUS ISIS 25TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER
ISIS 25TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER CELEBRATION
By Susan Teoh
ISIS Malaysia celebrated its 25th Anniversary by holding a banquet dinner on June 3, 2008 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.The dinner was also held in conjunction with the 22nd Asia Pacific Roundtable which ISIS has hosted since its commencement.
The dinner was attended by a wide group of people who had over the years played a role in ISIS activities. These included representatives from the public and private sectors; members of the diplomatic corps; the Asean-ISIS network;the Asia Pacific Roundtable participants as well as former and current ISIS staff;and the friends of ISIS.
Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, then Prime Minister of Malaysia and his wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah were guests of honour on the occasion. Also present were then Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, accompanied by Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, and Asean Secretary-General H.E.Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, who gave the Anniversary Address.
The following are pictures taken at the event.
(From left) HE Dr Surin Pitsuwan; Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor; Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak;Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi; Tun Jeanne Abdullah; Puan Sri Hajar Ahmad.
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Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Haji Zainul Ariff bin Haji Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi; Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Hussain; Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan. bin Tun Abdul Razak.
Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin; Tan Sri Dato’ Ir Muhammad (From left) HE Dr Surin Pitsuwan; Tan Sri Dr Mohd Munir Radzi Haji Mansor. bin Abdul Majid; Mr Philip Mathews.
(From left) Dr Larry C Y Wong; Dr Patrick Pillai; Dr Yeah Kim Leng; Mr Keith Leong; Mr R K Ravindran; Mr Steven C M Wong.
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Tan Sri Mohamed Jawhar Hassan giving his HE Dr Surin Pitsuwan delivering the 25th Welcoming Remarks. Anniversary Address.
ISIS staff with the guests of honour.
(From left) Ms Malayvieng Sakonhninhom; Dr Rozali (From left) Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican; Tan Sri Mohamed Ali; Mr Johan Arifin Sopiee; Professor Ahmad Fuzi bin Hj Abdul Razak; Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim.
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Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi cutting the (From left) Tan Sri Hasmy Agam; Datin Pengiran anniversary cake, accompanied by Tan Sri Masrainah Ahmad; Dato’ Leela Mohd Ali. Mohamed Jawhar Hassan and Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin.
(From left) Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Haji Zainul ISIS staff greeting guest of honour Tun Abdullah Haji Ahmad Ariff bin Haji Hussain; Datuk Shahrir Abdul Badawi. Samad.
A photo session with some ISIS staff at the dinner function.
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SOME ISIS PUBLICATIONS
82 ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 ISIS PUBLICATIONS ISIS FOCUS
ISISFOCUS • SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE • JUNE 2008 83 ISIS FOCUS ISIS PUBLICATIONS
LATEST ISIS PUBLICATIONS
THE ASIA-PACIFIC ROUNDTABLE SERIES
Abad, M. C. Jr. CONSTRUCTING THE SOCIAL ASEAN
Bowring, Philip ASEAN AT 40: REINVENTION, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
Effendy, Bahtiar PUTTING ALL THE CARDS ON THE TABLE: TRUST AS A FACTOR IN THE WAR AGAINST TERROR
Elek, Andrew APEC AND EAST ASIAN CO-OPERATION: PROSPECTS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CO-EXISTENCE
Glosserman, Brad JAPAN AS A ‘NORMAL’ STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE REGION
Malik, Mohan THE GEOPOLITICS OF ENERGY INSECURITY
Mazari, Shireen M. ‘ISLAM AND THE WEST’ DIALOGUE: WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS? WHAT NEW EFFECTIVE METHODS?
T ay, Simon S. C. CLIMATE CHANGE AND SECURITY IN ASIA
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