Analyzing the Impact of Implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative on the Malaysian Economy in 2018-2022
Abstract
This research is motivated by the Belt and Road Initiative program, which aims to create a new trade route connecting China to various countries using the Silk Route. The project was created through cooperation between China and many countries, including Malaysia. Malaysia rejected the BRI in 2018 but continued with a new agreement. This study aims to determine the impact of the BRI scheme on Malaysia's geopolitics and economy. This research employs two analytical lenses: geopolitics and international cooperation. It examines the regional dynamics that have emerged due to Malaysia's partnership with the BRI and assesses the potential impact of BRI at the domestic level. Qualitative research methods were used, and data was collected through library research. The research indicates that Malaysia's geopolitics have shifted following the implementation of the BRI scheme, resulting in an economic upturn through the utilization of the newly constructed infrastructure. BRI has had a positive impact on Malaysia. Specifically, it has led to an increase in container traffic and contributed to the country's GDP. Additionally, the BRI has helped to develop Malaysia's Eastern region. The results of BRI have affected Malaysia's position in both geopolitical and economic aspects within ASEAN. In conclusion, the BRI has positively impacted Malaysia since its reinstatement in 2018.
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Barrett, S. (1999). A Theory of Full International Cooperation. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 11(4), 519–541. https://doi.org/10.1177/0951692899011004004
Bing, N. C. (2023). How Malaysia Views US and Chinese Narratives About the World Order.
Blanchard, J.-M. F. (2019). Malaysia and China’s MSRI: The road to China was taken before the (Maritime Silk) road was built. China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative and Southeast Asia: Dilemmas, Doubts, and Determination, 95–131.
BRI Monitors. (2020a). East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS). https://www.brimonitor.org/case-studies/east-coast-railway-link-ecrl/
BRI Monitors. (2020b). Melaka Gateway. The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS). https://www.brimonitor.org/case-studies/melaka-gateway/
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. (2018). 2018 Investment Climate Statements: Malaysia. US Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-investment-climate-statements/malaysia/
Bussey, J. (2018). A Conversation With Mahathir Mohamad. In Council Foteign Relation. https://www.cfr.org/event/conversation-mahathir-mohamad
Cohen, S. B. (2014). Geopolitics: The geography of international relations. Rowman & Littlefield.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Dent, T. (2023). The Strait of Malacca’s Global Supply Chain Implications.
Department of Defense US. (2022). Annual Freedom of Navigation Report.
Dimitrakopoulos, D. G. (2001). The transposition of EU law:“post‐decisional politics” and institutional autonomy. European Law Journal, 7(4), 442–458.
Dunford, M., & Liu, W. (2019). Chinese perspectives on the Belt and Road Initiative. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 12(1), 145–167. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsy032
ECERDC. (2023). Annual Report. https://www.ecerdc.com.my/media-room/publications/15110-2/
Ferdinand, P. (2016). Westward ho-the China dream and “one belt, one road”: Chinese foreign policy under Xi Jinping. International Affairs, 92(4), 941–957. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12660
Fook, L. L. (2019). China-Malaysia Relations Back on Track? ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, 38(2019).
Grassi, S. (2020). The belt and road initiative in Malaysia. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 3.
Grieco, J. M. (1990). Cooperation among Nations.
Haggman, B. (1998). Rudolf Kjellén and modern Swedish geopolitics. Geopolitics, 3(2), 99–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/14650049808407620
Holsti, K. J. (1974). International politics: A framework for analysis. -.
Huang, Y. (2016). Understanding China’s Belt & Road Initiative: Motivation, framework and assessment. China Economic Review, 40, 314–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2016.07.007
Hutchinson, F. E. (2019). The Melaka Gateway Project: High Expectations but Lost Momentum?
Hutchinson, F. E., & Yean, T. S. (2021). The BRI in Malaysia’s Port Sector: Drivers of Success and Failure. Asian Affairs, 52(3), 688–721. https://doi.org/10.1080/03068374.2021.1957305
Jia, W., & Wong, A. A. (2017). Belt & Road: Opportunity & Risk the Prospects and Perils of Building China’s New Silk Road. Baker McKenzie & Silk Road Associates.
Kaplan, R. D. (2009). The revenge of geography. Foreign Policy, 172, 96–105.
Keohane, R. O. (2019). Sovereignty, interdependence, and international institutions. In Ideas & Ideals (pp. 91–107). Routledge.
Kjellén, R. (1916). Die Großmächte der Gegenwart. BG Teubner.
Lai, Y. M., & Moorthy, R. (2022). Emerging dynamics in Malaysia-Japan relations under the second Mahathir administration. Issues & Studies, 58(02), 2240002.
Lean, H. H., & Smyth, R. (2016). The Malaysia–China Economic Relationship at 40: Broadening Ties and Meeting the Challenges for Future Success (pp. 39–52). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24232-3_3
Lim, R. (2023). Foreign Direct Investment Regimes Malaysia. Global Legal Group. https://iclg.com/practice-areas/foreign-direct-investment-regimes-laws-and-regulations/malaysia
Liu, H. (2019). From The Malay Dilemma to Malaysia’s dilemmas: The political economy of Mahathir’s China policy since May 2018. Work, 19(3), 375–417.
Liu, H., & Lim, G. (2020). The political economy of a rising China in Southeast Asia: Malaysia’s response to the Belt and Road Initiative. In China’s New Global Strategy (pp. 158–173). Routledge.
Mackinder, H. J. (2017). The geographical pivot of history. In The Structure of Political Geography (pp. 162–169). Routledge.
Mahan, A. T. (2004). The Influence of Sea Power Upon History (1890). Digital Antiquaria.
Malay, T. E. (2020). Newsbreak: ECRL could see change in alignment again. https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/newsbreak-ecrl-could-see-change-alignment-again
Malaysian Investment Development Authority. (2018). Malaysian Investment Performance Report. https://www.mida.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20190315105335_MIDA20IPR202018.pdf
Malaysian Investment Development Authority. (2021). Malaysian Investment Performance Report. https://www.mida.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MIDA-IPR-2021-1.pdf
Mann, T. (2015). The Oxford guide to library research. Oxford University Press.
Marshall, T. (2016). Marshall, Tim. Prisoners of geography: ten maps that explain everything about the world. Simon and Schuster.
McGregor, R. (2018). Mahathir, China and neo-colonialism.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia. (2024). Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and Malaysia on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership towards China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia. (2019). Kunjungan Kerja Pada Perdana Menteri Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad Untuk Menghadiri Forum Belt And Road Kedua Untuk Kerjasama Internasional, Beijing, Republik Rakyat Tiongkok. https://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/-/press-release-working-visit-of-the-prime-minister-of-malaysia-tun-dr-mahathir-mohamad-to-attend-the-second-belt-and-road-forum-for-international-coope?redirect=https://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/press-releases%
Mobley, T. (2019). The belt and road initiative. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 13(3), 52–72.
Ngeow, C. (2018). Economic cooperation and infrastructure linkage between Malaysia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative. In Regional Connection under the Belt and Road Initiative (pp. 164–191). Routledge.
Nugraha, O. N. R. A. C. (2021). Geopolitik Laut Cina Selatan: Strategi Diplomasi Indonesia dalam Menjaga Stabilitas Politik Wilayah ASEAN. Jurnal Lemhannas RI, 9(4), 25–42.
Paulo, S. (2014). International Cooperation and Development: A Conceptual Overview. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2430206
Pingchao, H. (2023). What is the BRI? Belt and Road Portal. https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/p/0N4P7CF0.html
Power, M. (2019). Geopolitics and Development.
Razak, N. (2017). Why Malaysia supports China’s belt and road? The Star Online. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/05/12/why-malaysia-supports-china-belt-and-road
Razalli, F. M. (2020). Malaysia and China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A trilogy of commitment problem, diplomacy, and strategic foreign policy. In China’s Belt and Road Initiative (pp. 103–121). Routledge.
Saadat, S. Y. (2020). International cooperation for counter-terrorism: A strategic perspective. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 15(1), 83–93.
Sipalan, J. (2019, July). China, Malaysia restart massive “Belt and Road” project after hiccups. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us
Published
2024-11-04
How to Cite
RAMADHAN, Megah Rahmat; WIDHIYOGA, Ganjar; WIJAYATI, Hasna.
Analyzing the Impact of Implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative on the Malaysian Economy in 2018-2022.
Insignia: Journal of International Relations, [S.l.], v. 11, n. 2, p. 108-125, nov. 2024.
ISSN 2597-9868.
Available at: <https://jos.unsoed.ac.id/index.php/insignia/article/view/11431>. Date accessed: 13 mar. 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.20884/1.ins.2024.11.2.11431.
Section
Articles
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