The Rise of China: Its Effect on East Asia. (KURSI POK RAFEAH). ISBN 967-942-595-9. 50pgs. Yoshihara Kunio

The Rise of China: Its Effect on East Asia. (KURSI POK RAFEAH). ISBN 967-942-595-9. 50pgs. Yoshihara Kunio

Abstract
In the long run globalization may be beneficial to the countries involved, but for this to be realized, the problems it creates have to be overcome. To do so is, however, difficult when a large but poor country like China is integrated to the global economy. In the first 15 years, its East Asian neighbours were able to manage the problems, but in the past several years, because Chinese exports diversified into more sophisticated products and because they have not been doing as well as before the economic crisis, Chinese competition has become a serious problem. In Southeast Asia, it is threatening the leading industrial sectors such as household appliances and electronic products, whereas in Northeast Asia it is increasing the rate of unemployment by wiping out mature industries and mature processes. Chinese competition will certainly make it more difficult for Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia to rely on industrialization for economic growth, and cause serious problems to the localities that have relied for their development on the industries that are now in trouble. But the region is in a better position than Northeast Asian countries in adjusting to Chinese competition because it can develop resource-based industries and certain services it can develop resource-based industries and certain services (such as tourism). On the other hand, while Northeast Asian countries have the industries that benefit from the rise of China because they have technological supeririority or established brand names, such industries are not creating enough jobs to absorb the workers who are being laid of by declining industries. The solution is to expand the service sector, but this is difficult because they have already reached a high-income level and because their cultures are too local to meet the needs of potential service-importers. It seems that it is the Northeast Asian countries rather than Southeast Asian countries who will be in bigger trouble as a result of Chinese competition.

Published by:

Penerbit UKM

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600, Bangi, Selangor,

Malaysia.

Fax no: 03-89254575

---

The Politics of Islam in Contemporary Malaysia.

The Politics of Islam in Contemporary Malaysia. 2002. ISBN 967-942-592-4. 260 hlm. RM40.00. KAMARULNIZAM ABDULLAH

This book focuses on two major Malay political parties, UMNO and PAS, two major dakwah movements, ABIM and Al-Arqam to analyse and to examine their
impact on Malaysian politics. The appealing nature of Islam as a political vehicle in the socio-political process has become a salient feature of Malaysian politics.
What is more interesting is the impact of dakwah phenomenon on Malay politics. This book explores the role of Islam in Malay society and politics and tries to
establish a systematic linkage between Islam and Malay unity. It explores and tries to construct what role Islam has in the concept of Malay unity and National
Security. It can be argued that since the Malays are the dominant group in the country, the weakening of Malay unity could conceivably threaten the country's
socio-political slashes UMNO and PAS by using parochial approaches of Islamic political language to garner mass support is a worrying development. Furthermore,
dakwah movements, that claim to be a political, also play a crucial role. The involvement of these movements in several general elections and recently the reformasi
movement, shows that their activities have become more politicised.

KAMARULNIZAM ABDULLAH, Ph. D., is a lecturer in Security Studies at the Strategic and International Relations Program, School of History, Politics and
Strategic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His translated works include Pengenalan Pengajian Strategik:
Teknologi Ketenteraan dan Hubungan Antarabangsa (Penerbit UKM, 2001).

Published by:

Penerbit UKM

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600, Bangi, Selangor,

Malaysia.

Fax no: 03-89254575

The Political Aspects of Avicenna's General Theory and the Human Soul.

The Political Aspects of Avicenna's General Theory and the Human Soul. 2002. Penerbit UKM: Bangi. ISBN 967-942-594-0 (paperback). 224 pp. RM 40.00. Idris Zakaria

Ibn Sina is not normally thought of as having contributed much to the area of political theory, as did his predecessor al-Farabi. He did however have a political theory, which he set out routinely as part of his general philosophical system. The basic elements of his thory can be found in the tenth maqala of the mataphysics of the Shifa. Some of these elements are restated in the Najat. A small part of the general theory, particualrly the description of management of the household, is developed and enlarged in the treatise known as Kitab al-Siyasa.
The elements of the theory are presented again in the late work known as Kitab al-Isharat wa Tanbihat, but his attention here is mainly focused on the process of the soul toward mystical union with God. This last work however projects a slightly different version compared to the Shifa, the Najat, and the Siyasa.

IDRIS ZAKARIA, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the Department of Theology and Philosophy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His area of interest is Islamic Political Philosophy. His other book with Penerbit UKM entitle Teori Kenegaraan al-Farabi (1986).

Published by:

Penerbit UKM

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600, Bangi, Selangor,

Malaysia.

Fax no: 03-89254575