Dasar British di Asia Tenggara dan Kesannya Terhadap Malaysia 1968-1975

British policy in Southeast Asia and Its Impact to Malaysia from 1968 to 1975

Abstract

The article aims to discuss on British policy in South East Asia and its impacts on Malaysia during the period of 1967-1975. It focuses on three aspects namely 1) the change in British military policy East of Suez 2) Malaysia’s reaction to the change and 3) its impacts in British leadership on the region especially on Malaysia. The withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam in the era of Vietnamization posed great impacts on the policies of the members of SEATO in South East Asia. Britain, as a member of SEATO was not neutral to the change. The British military pact with Malaysia since 19 September 1957 the Anglo-Malayan Defense Agreement (AMDA) began to reevaluate its position vis-à-vis the British military withdrawal announced in 1969. The withdrawal brought many reactions to Commonwealth member countries in particular Malaysia and Singapore. Malaysia was concerned on it security and also impacts on the Association of South East Asian countries (ASEAN). The declaration of the Zone of Peace Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) was one of the steps in preparation for threats brought by the British withdrawal from its former colonies. Malaysia was also in dilemma due to its declaration as a neutral state, as in ASEAN, while on the other hand engaged in a military cooperation with the Western powers.