Causes of Inter-state tensions in Southeast Asia

Overview: The main cause for tensions and disputes between the SEA countries was because they had diverging national interests that affected their foreign policy. The foreign policies of the countries were not always in sync with each other and sometimes had more violent tendencies. National interest > Regional interest The reason for conflict might seem to be something trivial. However, there are also underlying long-standing and deeply-rooted animosities between the countries. (Note: Long-term tensions versus Trigger factors) Reasons for conflict/ What are the conflicts based on: Ideological/ Security Concerns Territorial disputes Leadership (Racial tensions) disputes Pedra Branca Issue Chaim Herzog crisis Separation in 1965 Malaysia published a (1986) from Federation of map in 1979 that Israeli president Malaysia included Pedra visited Singapore Malay-Malaysia Branca as part of Diplomatic protests versus Malaysian Malaysias territory from Brunei, Malaysia when actually Indonesia and Singapore made up of Singapore was Malaysia predominantly primarily responsible Anti-Singapore Chinese population for the offshore demonstrations held versus Malaysias islands maintenance. in Malaysia (burning Malay population. (Including of effigies of LKY and Malaysian leaders investigating marine of Singapore flag) feared Chinese accidents in the Mahathir took the Communist threat in vicinity and planning visit as a personal Singapore. land reclamation insult because he BN sought to take works) openly denounced part in Singapore Submitted the Zionism elections to

Country conflicts Malaysia-Singapore

Historical animosities Historical links between Sg and My Joint British administration led to a measure of indivisibility of political and security interests. Meant that the destinies of Malaysia and Singapore were tied very closely together and the actions of one would inevitably affect the other.

Economic disputes (Including Resources, legal issues, etc) Water Issue Singapore reliant on Malaysia for water supply. Malaysia frequently uses this point as leverage for foreign policy dealings with Singapore. Economic Parasite? Malaysia views Singapore as an economic parasite without own resources for production and yet prospered by taking

Setting up of SAF Increased tensions as Singapore was asserting its independence (might be construed as arrogance). SAF training, doctrine and methods based on Israel (Singapore = Israel, contained in hostile Muslim area?)

territorial to the judgement of the ICJ. Up till now, even when Singapore was accorded the sovereignty of Pedra Branca, Malaysian officials said that they were already looking for more historical evidence to dispute the claim. Dispute over Airspace Singapore has to now on training facilities in Australia and New Zealand

champion Malay rights in Singapore PAP retaliated by partaking in 1964 Federal elections in Malaysia Ethno-religious differences Malaysia: Empower Malays Singapore: Multiculturalism, Multireligious Contrast between ethnic compositions and development provide fertile ground for inflammatory tension Malaysias unity with Chinese dominated Singapore was a threat to Indonesia as it was felt that Malaysia might succumb to Chinese Communist takeover, threatening the sovereignty of Indonesia (due to the close geographical proximity).

advantage of the resources of neighbouring countries

Malaysia-Indonesia (Konfrontasi) After Federation of Malaysia was to include Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Coercive diplomacy: military harassment and diplomatic campaign preventing the formation of Malaysia Ended in 1966 when

Indonesia sees itself as dominant power in the SEA region due to its land, area and population and proud of its anti-colonial heritage: revolution against the Dutch. Therefore, unhappy with formation of ASA (touted/ initiated by Malaysia). Indonesia thus has a

The ancient Srivijaya and Majapahit empires used to include Malaya, Borneo, Timor and Papua New Guinea.

Guided Democracy versus Neocolonialism Sukarno believed that real independence could only be achieved through revolutionary struggle and severing of links with the colonial powers. (Expelled Dutch nationals and appropriated their assets)

Other factors: Merely an attempt by Sukarno to divert the attention to domestic economic and social problems by highlighting the external crisis (creating a common enemy of the people). Also to strengthen Indonesian nationalism.

Suharto took over the leadership However, tensions already surfaced and hung over further political relations between the sides.

more submissive role in the organisation. Attempts to assert leadership in the region via Konfrontasi.

Still MalaysiaIndonesian

Formation of Federation of Malaysia not acceptable as it was not via revolution but by the release of the British. (Malaysia continued to maintain economic ties with the British) Konfrontasi was thus a necessary campaign against neocolonialism. Vagueness over Mahathir versus ownership of Ligitan Suharto in fight for and Sipadan islands dominant leadership off the Sabah/ of the region Kalimantan coast. Mahathir: Champion Unclear historical of 3rd world interests ownership led to both and causes. Antiparties fighting for it. West. Indonesia claimed it Indonesia: moderated after independence. Cambodian But Malaysia claimed movement in 1988 them to access chaired OPEC in petroleum resources 1990s, pilgrimage to around the islands Mecca to strengthen and to create ties with OIC. maritime buffer space. 1991, Indonesia issued warning Malaysia against heightened

Illegal immigrants from Indonesia to Malaysia Initial tolerance due to cheap labour in demand. Low growth led to less sympathy from government. Uncovered caches of weapons in illegal immigrant squatters. Occasional riots occurred. Threat to states peace and stability. (2nd largest illegal immigrants, after Mexico-US) Malaysia responded with hire Indonesian

Malaysia-Philippines

tourism development on the islands. Threatened Malaysia with gunboat diplomacy. Dispute over Sabah Sabah was part of the Sultanate of Sulu. Territorial division of Philippines was determined by the Americans during colonisation and did not include Sabah. Sabah became a colony of the British when the British North Borneo company leased Sabah and Sarawak to the British. After decolonisation, Philippines wanted to reclaim Sabah. When Malaysia was formed, tensions increased. Philippines severed ties with Malaysia. Corregidor Affair in 1968 News leaked out that Filipino Muslims were

last policy, border patrols, stricter laws.

Philippines claim that Malaysia had been supporting the Muslim separatist movement, the Moros. They are an ethnic insurgency group that had been seeking autonomy and political independence in the south of Philippines. Malaysia is supposedly supporting them in training camps in Sabah. Encouragement of the Moros has escalated the conflict to a war of liberation and demands for selfdetermination.

receiving training to infiltrate Sabah. Heightened tensions between the sides. Malaysian-Thailand Alleged Malaysian support for Malay Muslim separatist rebels in South Thailand. High Malay density in these areas. PAS admitted support because of supposed discrimination against Malays in Southern Thailand. (There were also calls for the 4 provinces to be included in the new Malaysia.) Historical memories of Thai-Burmese rivalry, Burmese assault on Thai Kingdom in 17th century deeply ingrained in minds of Thai population. Thai media and education system frequently portrayed Myanmar as national enemy for several decades. Myanmar government troops pursued insurgencies across into Thailands Mai Hong Son province. Led to regular artillery duels between Myanmar and Thailand. Threatened Thailands borders. Tensions exacerbated when Thailand critical Illegal logging in Thai forests by officials from Kelantan. (1991) Politically sensitive when involving crossborder illegal logging as it involves the acquisition of resources of another state.

Thailand-Myanmar

Illegal fishing by Thailand Thailand has the largest trawler fleet (2000 trawlers in Gulf of Siam) Operate outside territorial waters, infringing on both Myanmar and even Malaysia waters. Also, Thai trawler captains made situation worse

Image of Burma shaped Thai foreign policy.

of Myanmars military junta and had to host 100,000 Karen refugees in camps along border.

by purchasing licensee to fish in Myanmar waters and even duplicated these licenses! (Even when this was banned, illegal fishing still carried on...)

Question types:

Traditional versus Non-traditional?

Traditional: Historical, Territorial Non-traditional: Security, Economic/ Legal, Leadership/ Political

Result of Colonial legacy?

Territorial Leadership Historical Security Economic Result of Colonial legacy Dispute over Sabah Indonesias anti-neo-colonialism stance versus Pro-west attitudes Singapore and Malaysias merger (as pre-requisite to independence) and later split Not result of Colonial legacy Pedra Branca Singapore versus Malaysia over Israeli links Thai-Myanmar animosity Moros of Philippines (w. Malaysia) Myanmar incursions into Thailand Illegal Immigrants (Indo-Malaysia) Illegal logging (Thailand- Malaysia) Illegal fishing (Thailand- Myanmar)