Sejarah Perkembangan Pelaburan Jepun di Malaysia 1890-1980 (The Historical Development of Japanese Investment In Malaysia 1890-1980)

Abstract

This article discusses the historical development of Japanese investment in Malaysia between 1890 to 1980. 1890 was selected as beginning years because Japanese investment in Malaysia began with investments in North Borneo in 1890. 1980 was selected as closing years to look at the characteristics of Japanese investment in Malaysia as well as the push and pull factors that involved prior to the era of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Before the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Malaya was under the British colonial administration, Sarawak under the administration of 3 Rajah Sarawak and North Borneo under the administration of British North Borneo Chartered Company. After achieved its independent, the Federation of Malaya in touch closely with the British, but Tunku Abdul Rahman still collaborate with Japan to reduce the dependencies to British. This is driven by the needs of the nation to seek alternative resources for economic development. Malaysia and Japan economic relations continued during the administration of Tun Abdul Razak when Japanese Official development Assistance (ODA) channelled to Malaysia for the country’s development projects financing. Economic relations with Japan strengthened during the administration of Tun Hussein Onn through the establishment of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and Japan-Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (JAMECA). The continuity of the Look-To-The-East idea by this three Prime Minister saw Japan emerge as the largest foreign investor in Malaysia when Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad took over the country’s leadership. Although researcher saw there are already too much previous research on Japanese investment in Malaysia, this research will be able to complement previous studies through the collection of the characteristics of Japanese investment in Malaysia as well as the push and pull factors that involved before and after achieving independence for other researchers guidance.