The Role of the Indonesian Muslim Community Identity in Strengthening Indonesia-Malaysia Relations

Abstract

This article departs from the reality that identity played a significant role in Indonesia-Malaysia brotherhood relations. In addition, Malaysia is home to many Indonesian diasporas, either to work or study. In fact, the Indonesian diaspora still maintains a connection with the motherland through communities amid of identity issues with the Malaysian local. For instance, the emergence of anti-Malaysian versus anti-migrant sentiments, the use of a controversial term called ‘Indon’ and ‘Malingsia’ in the middle of Muslim brotherhood identity. Therefore, using a qualitative approach supplemented with unstructured interviews, this study found that Islamic identity obviously contributed to the harmony of people to people relations between the two nations. Indeed, Islamic identity became a catalyst especially for many Indonesian workers to build close contact with the Muslim local community. These findings are important for sociology and international relations students and researchers.