Abstract:
This thesis sets out to examine the role and impact of the Malay-Muslim
ethnic groups as a part of civil society in Malaysia's foreign policy and
international relations and how their transnational linkages help to enhance their
image and at the same time bring their agenda to the public's attention. These
ethno-religious civil society groups have gained some importance and played an
assertive role in the foreign policymaking process of the nation as the
consequence of the rapid growth of international communications, which have
diminished barriers to the transnational relations of these groups. In examining the
impact of these groups, two categories of groups are chosen: first, the Malay-
Muslim political parties consist of the United Malay National Organization
(UMNO), Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and Parti
Semangat '46 (S'46); and secondly , the dakwah groups consist of Angkatan Belia
Islam Malaysia (ABIM), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (PERKIM), and
Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar-Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM).
This study moves away from the state-centric paradigm, which emphasizes
the exclusive role played by the states as sovereign, independent, and equal units
in contemporary world politics to an appreciation of an increasingly
interdependent world. This study thus shows that other political units such as
political parties, religious societies, ethnic groups and economic organizations,
and, in the case of Malaysia, the Malay-Muslim civil society groups have a direct
or indirect impact on the state's foreign policy. This study shows that ethnoreligious
based civil society groups can be considered as an emerging force in
Malaysia's international relations as the result of their transnational linkages
which permit them to exert influence within the state.
In embarking on this topic, this study hopes to contribute to a further
understanding of the Malay-Muslim civil society groups' role and impact on
Malaysia's international relations based on a thematic approach. The two themes
highlighted in this study are: (i) Civil society groups of a religious-ethnic
character affect foreign policy in a multi-ethnic state; and (ii) The transnational
connections of ethno-religious civil society groups enhance the ability of these
groups to influence policymaking. Further based on these two themes, the study
shows that there is competition between the state and civil society groups and
among the groups themselves on various issues that affect Muslims in the Arab-
Muslim world, non-Arab Muslim world and in response to Muslim minority
issues. The competitive response of the state and civil society groups can be seen
in terms of moral and material support for the Muslims of Palestine, the Gulf,
Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, southern Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar,
India, and Chechnya.
