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Begin New Search Topic International Trade and Finance Political Geography Malaysia

11. All Roads Lead to the Indian Ocean

Author:
Sumathy Permal
Publication Date:
01-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The Indian Ocean (IO) is the world’s third largest ocean with an area of 73.5 million sq. km or 28.5 million sq. miles. It is strategically located adjacent to Asia in the North, Australia to the East, Antarctica to the South, and Africa to the West. IO forms two large indentations in South Asia, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The ocean can be accessed through several chokepoints i.e., from the West via Cape of Good Hope and the Straits of Madagascar, from the North via the Bab el-Mandeb at the end of the Red Sea; the Sunda and Lombok-Straits and the Ombai-Wetar-Straits and the Straits of Hormuz at the exit of the Persian Gulf, from the East via the Straits of Malacca and, by way of geographical extension, to the South China Sea.
Topic:
Security, International Law, International Trade and Finance, and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
Africa, China, Malaysia, Asia, Arabia, and Kobani

12. From Strength to Empowerment: The Next Generation of U.S.-Malaysia Relations

Author:
Murray Hiebert, Ernest Z. Bower, Elina Noor, Mahani Zainal Abidin, Gregory Poling, and Tham Siew Yean
Publication Date:
05-2012
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Abstract:
Relations between the United States and Malaysia are at an all-time high. Since President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Najib Razak entered office in 2009, both countries' governments have committed to a new beginning and moved to establish closer ties through increased political, economic, and people-to-people cooperation.
Topic:
Economics, International Cooperation, International Trade and Finance, Treaties and Agreements, and Bilateral Relations
Political Geography:
United States and Malaysia

13. Malaysia's China Policy in the Post-Mahathir Era: A Neoclassical Realist Explanation

Author:
KUIK Cheng-Chwee
Publication Date:
07-2012
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract:
Malaysia's China policy in the post-Cold War era – as an instance of a smaller state's strategy toward a proximate and rising great power – has been characterized by three patterns. First, there was a shift from hostility and guarded rapprochement during the Cold War to cordiality and maturing partnership in the post-Cold War era. Second, despite the overall positive development, Malaysia's China policy has remained, in essence, a hedging approach that is driven by both a pragmatic desire to maximize benefits from a closer relationship with the neighboring giant and a contingent calculation to guard against any long-term strategic risks in the uncertain regional environment. Third, such a two-pronged approach, which took shape since the 1990s under Mahathir Mohamad, has endured beyond the Mahathir era. Indeed, under his successors Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Tun Razak, Malaysia has continued to pursue a policy of dualism vis-à-vis China. What explains the enduring continuity of the hedging approach in Malaysia's China policy? This paper adopts a neoclassical realist perspective, arguing that the continuity is attributed to both structural and domestic factors. Domestically, the changing bases of political legitimation in the multi-ethnic country, which highlight the increasing salience of economic performance and political inclusiveness as key sources of moral authority to the UMNO-led coalition government, have necessitated the succeeding leaders to continue pursuing a pragmatic policy aimed at ensuring a stable and productive relationship with China, not least to gain from the steadily growing bilateral trade and the giant's growing outward investment. Structurally, Malaysia's position as a smaller state has compelled it to be constantly vigilant about the uncertainty of state intentions and inter-great power relations, which in turn demands it adopts contingent measures to hedge against longer-term risks. It is such structural and domestic determinants that have fundamentally shaped the country's policy towards China in general and the South China Sea issue in particular, which characteristically bears the mark of a delicate dualism, i.e. an explicit preference for engaging China through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, but one that is backed by a low-key practice of maintaining and strengthening its traditional military links with its Western security partners.
Topic:
International Relations, Security, Cold War, Diplomacy, International Trade and Finance, and Bilateral Relations
Political Geography:
China, Malaysia, and Israel

14. Inward FDI in Malaysia and its policy context

Author:
Rajah Rasiah and Chandran Govindaraju
Publication Date:
04-2011
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Abstract:
Malaysia is still perceived as an important destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). Deregulation by the Malaysian government in 1986 with a new round of Pioneer status tax holidays, tax allowances for expansion projects, liberal rules for firms operating in free trade zones (FTZs), and tax exemptions are encouraging stronger FDI inflows (IFDI). IFDI flows reached a peak in 1988-1993 as export-oriented foreign multinational enterprises (MNEs) relocated manufacturing production operations to Malaysia to benefit from cheap labor, government incentives and liberal conditions for manufacturing FDI. After 1996, due to the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998, IFDI flows into Malaysia decreased and subsequently recorded the lowest level in 2001 as a result of the world trade recession. Following steady growth in 2002-2007, IFDI in Malaysia fell dramatically in 2008 and 2009 due to the global economic crisis. However, a strong resumption in the first quarter of 2010 and government efforts, including continued liberalization of manufacturing and services, the Government Transformation Programme, promoting new key economic areas, and the active role of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), contributed to an increase in inward FDI flows in the second quarter of 2010.
Topic:
Economics, Industrial Policy, International Trade and Finance, Foreign Direct Investment, and Financial Crisis
Political Geography:
Malaysia and Southeast Asia

15. Securing the trade supply chain

Author:
Nazery Khalid
Publication Date:
02-2011
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The recent report on the staggering value of cargos stolen in Malaysia may have triggered “Shiver me timbers!” expressions of surprise among many . It seems jarring for a progressive country like Malaysia to be ranked unfavorably in terms of the security of its trade supply chain, the network of resources, information and capital that links importers and exporters.
Topic:
Security, Crime, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
Malaysia

16. Aligning the maritime industry towards realizing the New Economic Model aspirations

Author:
Nazery Khalid
Publication Date:
04-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
Malaysia is at a crossroad. It has done well to boost economic growth, thanks to sound economic strategies and management. From being a developing nation dependent upon commodities and agriculture to power its economic growth, Malaysia is now one of the top 20 trading nations. However, it has found itself 'stuck' in so-called 'middle income trap'. The economy, while more diversified today compared to three decades ago, is still reliant upon labor intensive activities and, inevitably, cheap labor. Malaysia's vulnerability to external shocks, as seen during the recession and credit crunch, underscores the urgent need for the nation's economic planners and policymakers to take drastic actions to make the economy more robust and move it up the value chain.
Topic:
Economics, International Trade and Finance, and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
Malaysia and Southeast Asia

17. The case for a National Merchant Shipping Policy for Malaysia

Author:
Nazery Khalid
Publication Date:
05-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
For a country with Malaysia's size and population, it certainly does not punch within its weight class in merchant shipping. As of 1 January 2009, Malaysia ranked 25th in the list of the most important maritime nations by way of its 0.79% contribution (9.39 mil. DWT) to the global merchant shipping tonnage (UNCTAD, 2009). MISC is the world's largest owner / operator of LNG tankers and a key player in international seaborne energy transportation. A growing number of Malaysian owners/operators of offshore service vessels (OSV) provide their services abroad, and Malaysian captains and officers are coveted for their skills and experience are sought by shipping lines worldwide.
Topic:
International Trade and Finance and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
Malaysia and Southeast Asia

18. Seas under siege

Author:
Nazery Khalid
Publication Date:
05-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The oceans provide sustenance, resources and employment to many people. They also act as a conduit to migration of people and movement of goods that have shaped human civilization and facilitate global trade and economic growth. In addition to these pivotal roles, the seas also act as a regulator of the world's weather pattern. The importance of oceans that give the earth the moniker 'the Blue Planet' to civilization cannot be overemphasized.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, International Trade and Finance, and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
Malaysia

19. Towards Realising the Potential of Malaysia's Shipbuilding Industry

Author:
Nazery Khalid
Publication Date:
03-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
The tremendous growth of shipping activities in Malaysia over the years underlines the value of the maritime sector to its economic well-being and the importance of the seas to the lives of its people. Malaysia has emerged as a leading maritime nation in terms of merchant shipping capacity. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ranked Malaysia 18th in a list of 35 most important maritime countries and territories as of 1 January 2008 in terms of deadweight tonnage (DWT) of its merchant vessels (including national and foreign flagged).
Topic:
Development, Industrial Policy, International Trade and Finance, and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
Malaysia, United Nations, and Southeast Asia

20. Malaysia\'s Re-Election as an IMO Council Member: An Opportunity to Shin

Author:
Nazery Khalid
Publication Date:
01-2010
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
Malaysia\'s re-election as a member of Council C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in November 2009 presents an excellent opportunity for this ambitious maritime nation to shine on the international stage. The re-election can be seen as the international community\'s vote of confidence for Malaysia to be the voice of developing nations at the IMO - the United Nations body that oversees the use and management of the world\'s oceans - and promote their interests. Having been given the thumbs-up by IMO members to assume the coveted IMO Council membership once again, expectations are now higher for Malaysia to make a mark at the international maritime platform.
Topic:
Democratization, International Trade and Finance, and Maritime Commerce
Political Geography:
Malaysia, United Nations, and Southeast Asia