MENELUSURI AKAR PERADABAN MELAYU DALAM KEPIMPINAN ABDULLAH BADAWI: HUBUNGAN DUA HALA MALAYSIA – CHINA TRACING THE ROOTS OF MALAY CIVILIZATION IN ABDULLAH BADAWI'S LEADERSHIP: MALAYSIA-CHINA BILATERAL RELATIONS

Abstract

Abstract

This article analyzes Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership in Malaysia's foreign policy towards China through a pragmatic diplomatic approach grounded in Malay civilizational values. The study argues that while Abdullah maintained the continuity of close bilateral ties initiated by Mahathir Mohamad, he also introduced a new approach that was more moderate, harmonious, and reflective of Malay characteristics, emphasizing consultation (musyawarah) and balance in policy decision-making. Accordingly, this study adopts a qualitative approach through a combination of literature review and semi-structured interviews to examine the implementation of Abdullah’s foreign policy across three levels of analysis commonly used in the field of international relations: international, domestic, and individual. The findings indicate that Abdullah’s leadership succeeded in strengthening Malaysia–China bilateral relations not only in economic terms, but also in socio-cultural and security dimensions. His initiatives through platforms such as the East Asia Summit and the promotion of the global halal industry demonstrated Malaysia’s commitment to building stronger regional synergy with China. Furthermore, the study reveals that Abdullah’s modest personality, and his background rooted in Malay civilizational values served as a crucial foundation in shaping a more credible and stable diplomatic posture at the regional level. This study contributes to the discourse on the importance of local cultural elements in shaping the foreign policy of small states and reinforces the significance of leadership personality in international relations. The implications of the study provide deeper insight into how traditional values can be strategically embedded within the increasingly complex international political environment. Future research is recommended to compare Abdullah’s diplomatic approach with that of his successors, particularly in the post–Belt and Road Initiative context and in the evolving dynamics of ASEAN–China relations.

Abstrak

Artikel ini menganalisis kepimpinan Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dalam dasar luar Malaysia terhadap China melalui pendekatan diplomasi pragmatik yang berasaskan nilai peradaban Melayu. Kajian menghujahkan bahawa walaupun Abdullah meneruskan kesinambungan hubungan erat yang dirintis oleh Mahathir Mohamad, beliau turut membawa pendekatan baharu yang lebih sederhana, harmoni dan mencerminkan keperibadian Melayu yang menekankan musyawarah serta keseimbangan dalam membuat keputusan sesebuah dasar. Kajian ini mengaplikasikan pendekatan kualitatif melalui analisis kajian kepustakaan serta temu bual separa berstruktur dalam meneliti pelaksanaan dasar luar Abdullah berdasarkan tiga peringkat korpus ilmu hubungan antarabangsa, iaitu di peringkat antarabangsa, domestik dan individu. Hasil kajian menunjukkan kepimpinan Abdullah berjaya memperkukuh hubungan dua hala Malaysia-China, bukan hanya daripada sudut ekonomi, tetapi juga dalam aspek sosio budaya dan keselamatan. Inisiatif beliau menerusi platform seperti East Asia Summit dan promosi industri halal global telah membuktikan komitmen Malaysia dalam membina sinergi serantau yang lebih kukuh bersama-sama dengan China. Selain itu, keperibadian Abdullah yang sederhana dan latar belakangnya yang berakar umbi dalam nilai peradaban Melayu menjadi asas penting dalam membentuk corak diplomasi yang lebih dipercayai dan stabil di peringkat serantau. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada wacana mengenai pentingnya elemen budaya tempatan dalam membentuk dasar luar negara kecil serta memperkukuh peranan keperibadian pemimpin dalam hubungan antarabangsa. Implikasi kajian ini membuka ruang kepada pemahaman yang lebih mendalam mengenai nilai tradisi yang dimanifestasikan secara strategik dalam suasana politik antarabangsa yang semakin kompleks. Kajian lanjutan dicadangkan untuk membandingkan pendekatan diplomatik Abdullah dengan pemimpin selepas era beliau, khususnya dalam konteks pasca Belt and Road Initiative serta evolusi hubungan ASEAN-China.