Honorary Research Associate, University of Nottingham Malaysia

Engaging East: Malaysia’s Borneo-led Engagement with Indonesia

Steps taken to move Indonesia’s capital to Nusantara have prompted the two states in Borneo of Sabah and Sarawak to recalibrate their engagement with Indonesia. As part of an active ‘look east’ dynamic, governments in both Malaysian states have deepened their engagement with Indonesia and are making plans to take advantage of a potential relocation of Indonesia’s capital. This paper looks at the steps Malaysia has taken, especially those of Sarawak and Sabah, and highlights the factors shaping Malaysia’s relationship with Indonesia in her east. From economic and security concerns to unresolved issues of statelessness, there are both opportunities and constraints shaping a stronger relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Biography:

Bridget Welsh is currently Honorary Research Associate with the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia (UoNARI-M) based in Kuala Lumpur. She is also a Senior Research Associate of the Hu Feng Center for East Asia Democratic Studies of National Taiwan University and a Senior Associate Fellow of The Habibie Center. She specializes in Southeast Asian politics, with a focus on Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Indonesia. She is committed to fostering engagement, mutual understanding and empowerment.

For more see: https://bridgetwelsh.com/