Indonesia-Malaysia Relations

This book examines the international relations of Southeast Asia, focusing on how these are affected by the special Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral relationship - Malaysia and Indonesia, although separate states, can be seen as constituting a single Indo-Malay cultural world. The book looks at the deep social and historical affinities between Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as the cultural and political contestations between the two countries, by analysing the literature, popular culture and public opinion of the Indo-Malay world. Bilateral ties between Indonesia and Malaysia are often subject to rivalry, acrimony and conflict. Understanding the Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral relationship is important because it has often been argued by scholars of international politics that Indonesia and Malaysia are cornerstone members of the ASEAN organisation, and are thus at the very heart of questions of regional security.