Malaysia-Indonesia Relations before and after 1965: Impact on Bilateral and Regional Stability

Abstract

This paper discusses the Malaysia-Indonesia relations before and after 1965. Why was 1965 became the turning point in the relations of both countries? What is the impact to the bilateral relations and regional stability? The period before 1965 was coloured by the conflict and hostilities, but the period after 1965 coloured by peace and cooperation. The discussion in this paper is divided into three parts; first part is the phase of conflict 1961-1965; the second part is the phase of peace and cooperation period 1966-1971and; third part is the impact to the bilateral and regional stability. The main emphasising is to explain the factors that contributed to; the different characters of relations during both phases of relations (before and after 1965) and the impact to the bilateral relations and regional stability (i.e. South East Asia region) after 1965. This paper conclude that the event on 30th September 1965 was importance for the emergence of „new order‟ Indonesia under Suharto, the formation of ASEAN and regional stability in the South East Asian region.