Bait Al Amanah Research trip to Jakarta

In January 2025, Bait Al Amanah travelled to Jakarta, Indonesia to further our understanding of ASEAN, regional security, and bilateral and multilateral relationships - especially in light of Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship year.

Bait Al Amanah was represented by Fikry A. Rahman, Prof. Dr. Kuik Cheng-Chwee, and E Kin Zane Ryan Seow.

The team connected with a diverse group of stakeholders in Jakarta to exchange insights and perspectives on domestic political dynamics, Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, as well as regional security and foreign policy.

Bait Al Amanah held discussions with seasoned bureaucrats, think tank experts and academicians, including the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), The Habibie Center (THC), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and the Mission of Japan to ASEAN, and Universitas Indonesia, to exchange insights on the region. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Deputy Minister for Investment Cooperation, Mr. Prof Dr. Tirta Mursitama for his time to exchange views and insights on the investment climate in Indonesia.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to engage with esteemed scholars from Paramadina University and Forum Sinologi Indonesia (FSI) through a co-organised panel discussion titled “Dancing With The Dragon: Indonesian and Malaysian Policies Towards China”.

Our delegation's discussions with bureaucrats, academics, and think tank experts have been immensely valuable in sharpening Bait Al Amanah's research focus. The time spent in Jakarta had provided valuable insights into the domestic dynamics that will shape the security and foreign policy under President Prabowo, in turn informing us on the opportunities for Malaysia to work closely with Indonesia on various issues, among them maritime security, closer trading ties, and regional peace-building.