Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies (TCLC) and Centre for International Studies organised a talk titled “Malaysia-US-China Relations under the Najib, Trump and Xi Administrations: Implications for Malaysia’s GE 14” at Sungai Long Campus on 19 July 2017.
Guests present at the talk were United Malacca Berhad Chairperson Datin Paduka Tan Siok Choo, UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, TCLC Chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Chin Yee Mun, Dr Stephen Leong Mun Yoon, lecturers, staff and students.
The talk examined the evolving relationship between Malaysia and the United States (U.S) under the Obama and Trump Administrations, and that between Malaysia and China under the Xi Administration. The talk also focused on the impact of China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) investments in the Malaysian economy, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malay-Chinese race relations, as well as implications for the forthcoming general election in the country.
Invited to conduct the talk was Dr Heng Pek Koon, the ASEAN Studies Initiative Director. She is also an Assistant Professor at American University’s School of International Service. She earned her PhD from the University Of London School Of Oriental and African Studies, and her BA and MA from New Zealand Auckland University.
She said, “Malaysia will be facing 5 new challenges in near future. First, ‘New World’ geopolitical challenges, including crisis in the Middle East, North Korea nuclear program, Brexit and European Union (EU). Second is the challenge to peace and security posed by extremism fomented by Daesh (ISIL/ISIS). Third, Malaysia will face the challenge of uncertain global economic growth. Fourth, the Malaysian government will need to try their best to fulfill Malaysian’s needs, including expanding 1Malaysia programmes, provide affordable housing for those B40 and M40 and develop infrastructure such as My Rapid Transit (MRT), Pan Borneo Highway, High Speed Rail and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). Lastly, it will be the challenge of making Malaysia one of the world’s top 20 most advanced countries through Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50).”
She added, “Malaysian government sought TPPA to expand the U.S trade and foreign direct investment to make Malaysia an advanced economy. Malaysia also looks more to China to increase trade and foreign direct investment, and multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). On the other hand, the U.S. government will continue strong security cooperation in defeating terrorism, addressing South China Sea disputes based on international law and UNCLOS principles of freedom of navigation, and seeking Malaysia and ASEAN countries backing for U.S. hardline stand on North Korea.”
The talk ended with a souvenir presentation by Assoc Prof Chin to Dr Heng.
Dr Heng at the talk
Assoc Prof Chin presenting souvenir to Dr Heng
From left: Dr Stephen Leong, Datin Paduka Tan Siok Choo, Dr Heng and Assoc Prof Chin
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