Muhamad Takiyuddin Ismail

  • Associate Professor, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Malaysia
    • Intellectual Exchange
  • The Asia Center Fellowship Program
  • Grant Year: Fiscal Year 2018
Duration
July 31, 2018 - August 31, 2018
Country of Activity
Japan

Japanese Democracy Assistance to Malaysia

Since 2011, the polemic of democracy assistance – generally referred to as foreign funding – has always been stirred up by the UMNO-BN regime in Malaysia. Critics argue that democracy assistance channeled to political parties and civil society organizations triggers activities that can destabilize the government. Despite the growing awareness of high-profile democracy promoters such as the United States and Open Society Foundation, there is still a lack of attention towards low-profile democracy promoters such as Japan. This project is a preliminary attempt to analyze the democracy assistance channeled by Japan. Apart from focusing on regime-compatible programs and prioritizing cooperation with the government, Japan is also not keen in engaging with civil society organizations. Japan’s reluctance towards non-regime compatible programs is also helped by other factors such as the relatively stable position of Malaysia's democracy; request-based policy; alignment with the priorities set by the Malaysian government, as well as the good bilateral relationship in the context of the Look East Policy. In line with the regime change that recently took place, Japan can seize the opportunity to play a more active role in assisting democratic transition in Malaysia

Main Cities of Activity
Japan: Kunitachi(Tokyo)
Host Institution(s) / Individual(s)
ICHIHARA Maiko/Associate Professor,Graduate School of Law,Hitotsubashi University
Activity Reports
THE IMPLEMENTATION REPORT OF THE FELLOWSHIP PROJECT,“JAPANESE DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE TO MALAYSIA” IN TOKYO

Fellows related to this Grantee

Country

Suzy Sulaiman

Okui Lala

Noorul Fadzlee Bin Khamis

Fairuz Sulaiman

Lilia Halim

エレナ・グレゴリア・チャイ・チン・フェン

Countries of Activity

Choy Ka Fai

エレナ・グレゴリア・チャイ・チン・フェン

ヘンリー・タン

Michelle G. Ong

Nguyen Thanh Thuy

Prapat Jiwarangsan

Field

オン・レン

Khin Lay Swe

Masako Saito

Glenn Fiel Fernandez

Criselda Yabes

Lilia Halim