Analysing the special relationship of Indonesia-Malaysia

Dr Ho (front row, middle) with the participants 

UTAR Centre for International Studies Chairperson Dr Ho Ying Chan presented a talk based on his book titled, “Special Relationship in the Malay World: Indonesia and Malaysia” at Sungai Long Campus on 31 October 2018, organised by Centre for Extension Education (CEE) in collaboration with Centre for International Studies.

The talk focused on the theoretical understanding of a special relationship which aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the development of Indonesia-Malaysia relations over the past six decades.

In Dr Ho’s talk, he explained two problematic assumptions. The first assumption is that special relationship is the natural consequences of two states sharing common identities while the second assumption is special relationship always denote a friendly relation. He also spoke about the special relationship as a security regime, power imbalance, Indonesia-Malaysia common identities, Malay way of life and many more.

“There are three sources of conflict in a special relationship. They are known as mismatch of expectation, power competition and national identity. A special relationship is produced, only when the two states respectively starts to own a certain amount of power. That said, a special relationship is produced, when, at the very least, power balance exists between the two states involved,” said Dr Ho.

Dr Ho further elaborated that the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia are special and revealed that the Indonesia-Malaysia Special Relationship is characterised by its double-edged effects. He added, “While conflicts between Indonesia and Malaysia are palpable, strategic cooperation between the two special partners are also solid all along.” 

Dr Leong Mun Yoon (left) introducing Dr Ho’s book