Jurnal Asia Pacific Studies

UNITED KINGDOM’S PRIMACY: ADDRESSING UK-ASEAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION THROUGH THE UK’S INDO-PACIFIC TILT OUTLOOK

Khansa Aqila Ryantono — 2024-08-30

The Asia-Pacific region has played major role in global trade and for recent years becomes a very dynamic region where geopolitical and geostrategic shift take place. Competition and shift in political, economy and security dimension, along with growing global power presence in the region create a situation where countries with interest in the region should take actions needed to secure their national interest in the region. United Kingdom through the UK’s Indo-Pacific Tilt policy prioritizes stability in the region to support its geopolitical and geoeconomic ambition. The significance of the Indo-Pacific region for UK’s economy is very tremendous, hence, the emerging regional challenges that threats the stability in the region such as transnational crime and non-traditional security threats should be addressed accordingly. Pioneered at soft power as its diplomacy tool, United Kingdom is underpinning the importance of multifaceted cooperation with partners, countries, and regional actors to secure its national interest beyond its border. The strategic environment of ASEAN countries become vital to UK to realize and strengthen its ambition in the Indo-Pacific region. Multiple agendas in the key priorities’ areas are deployed through peaceful meaning between UK and ASEAN to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity as well as to ensure open, free and secure trading area in the Asia-Pacific region.

Keywords: Indo-Pacific, Soft Power, The UK-ASEAN Strategic Partnerships, Geostrategic Shift.

HEDGING ANALYSIS: BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE – ASEAN COOPRTATION IN IMPLEMENTING MASTER PLAN ON ASEAN CONNECTIVITY 2025

Ezra Sherly Margareth Silalahi — 2024-08-30

This study examines cooperation between Indonesia ASEAN through ambitious program that initiated by China, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). ASEAN and China improved their economy relation in this recent decade with result ASEAN became China’s close trade partner and vice versa. In this several economy cooperation, both countries are still confronted to disputes in other sector, for instance in exploration in dispute area of China and ASEAN. Therefore, this study exerts to disclose how Hedging explain relation between ASEAN and China continuing simultaneously in the middle of interest friction.

ANALYSIS OF THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF CANNABIS LEGALIZATION POLICY IN THAILAND AFTER CANNABIS LEGALIZATION IN 2022 – 2024

Rinda Komala Sari — 2024-09-22

This study analyzes the benefits and risks of the cannabis legalization policy in Thailand in the period 2022-2024. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the economic, health, and social impacts of cannabis legalization, and to assess the extent to which this policy supports Thailand's national interests. The research method includes secondary data analysis from government reports and other reliable sources. The results show that cannabis legalization can increase tax revenues, create jobs, and provide health benefits through medical use. However, there are also risks such as potential for increased cannabis use that impact public health, and social changes that must be managed properly. This study provides policy recommendations to maximize benefits and minimize risks, supporting informed and sustainable decision-making.

Keywords: Cannabis Legalization, Thailand, Medical Marinjuana

- Amplifying Indonesia's Defence Diplomacy in ASEAN

Abel Josafat Manullang — 2024-09-22

Being the regional actor in the heart of the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN has had its share of multilateral initiatives that encompass its members’ interests and the region's development. However, ASEAN has little initiative in the form of a joint military training for its member states. That was until Indonesia’s chairmanship in ASEAN, a joint military exercise was held in September 2023 which was named ASEX-01 N. This new development is interesting given its enactment occurred in the midst of a competition between the US and China in the Indo-Pacific. Against that backdrop, the paper seeks to point out how said initiative may serve as a means to accentuate Indonesia’s role in Indonesia whilst providing benefits to reap by the rest of ASEAN member states. To that end, the paper employs a qualitative research method involving the use of secondary data. Moreover, the paper also utilizes the concept of defence diplomacy to better understand the ASEAN initiative at hand. The paper begins with a brief overview of Southeast Asia’s regional landscape that is witnessing a competition for influence between the US and China. The article then lays out the recent ASEAN initiative it’s concerned with that is the ASEAN Solidarity Exercise Natuna 2023. Upon learning of what the initiative entails, the paper would proceed with the defence diplomacy analysis of said initiative. Here, it can be understood how the initiative entails some matters that can benefit Indonesia’s international reputation as well as ASEAN member states’ capacity building.

Implementation of the Indonesia-Australia Partnership for Infrastructure (KIAT): Palembang City Sewerage Project 2023

Meimbarasi Irene Christyn Wau — 2024-09-22

This research examines the implementation of the Indonesia-Australia Partnership for Infrastructure (KIAT) through the Palembang City Sewerage Project 2023. Using the theoretical framework of Multi Stakeholder Initiatives and the concept of international cooperation, this research aims to analyze the effectiveness of collaboration between various stakeholders in the project. The research was conducted using a qualitative method involving document analysis. The implementation of this project also contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) point 6, which is to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all. The results showed that this collaboration was successfully implemented, with the main indicators being the improvement of the quality of sanitation in Palembang, increasing the capacity of local institutions in managing infrastructure projects, and achieving sustainable development targets. This success was achieved through effective coordination between the governments of Indonesia and Australia, as well as support from the private sector and civil society. This study confirms the importance of international cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement in realizing sustainable and impactful infrastructure projects.

Keywords: International Cooperation, KIAT, Sanitation, Sustainable Development Goals, Infrastructure.