The Road and Belt Initiative in Malaysia: Challenges and Recommendations (Inisiatif Jalur dan Laluan di Malaysia: Cabaran dan Cadangan)
Abstract
In recent years, China has expanded its relations with other nations through the Belt and Road Initiative. This initiative was formally introduced after it was launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping. It comprises two components, namely, the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, both of which aim to stimulate the acceleration of economic growth in Asia, Africa and Europe. This research attempts to provide a detailed review of the execution of this initiative through empirical studies based on qualitative analysis, which are closely related to BRI implementation in Malaysia. The focus of this research, however, is not limited to studying the viewpoints of leaders and scholars on the initiative; rather, it will also attempt to discuss the BRI’s progress and the obstacles encountered to date from the political aspects of both China and Malaysia. By identifying the potential challenges to come, this research will prove to be significant, as it proposes some comprehensive measures to address and forestall any setbacks that may arise, which may affect the implementation of the BRI between the two nations.
Keywords: Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Malaysia–China relations, Silk Road, China–ASEAN relations, Maritime Silk Road
Abstrak
Kebelakangan ini, China telah memperkembang hubungannya dengan negara lain melalui Inisiatif Jalur dan Laluan. Inisiatif ini secara rasmi diperkenalkan oleh China selepas dilancarkan oleh Presiden Xi Jinping pada tahun 2013. Inisiatif ini terdiri daripada dua komponen, iaitu Laluan Sutera dan Jalan Sutera Maritim Abad 21, dengan kedua-duanya ditujukan untuk mendorong pemecutan dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi di Asia, Afrika dan Eropah. Kajian ini cuba mengulas secara terperinci pelaksanaan inisiatif ini melalui kajian empirikal yang berkait rapat dengan idea pelaksanaan BRI di Malaysia. Fokus kajian ini tidak terhad kepada mengkaji sudut pandangan pemimpin dan sarjana terhadap inisiatif; ia juga akan cuba untuk membincang perkembangannya selain halangan-halangan yang dihadapi sehingga kini dari aspek politik di kedua-dua China dan Malaysia. Dengan mengenal pasti potensi cabaran yang akan datang, kajian ini akan membuktikan kepentingannya kerana ia mencadangkan langkah-langkah yang lebih komprehensif untuk mengatasi dan mencegah sebarang halangan yang mungkin timbul dalam perlaksanaan BRI antara kedua-dua negara.
Kata Kunci: Inisiatif Jalur dan Laluan (BRI), hubungan Malaysia-China, Jalan Sutera, hubungan China-ASEAN, Jalan Sutera Maritim
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