Malaysia and the Balkan conflict, 1992-1995

Wan Shawaluddin Wan Hassan, Ramli Dollah, Diana Peters, Adi Jafar and Ali Maksum

Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, 2024, vol. 32, issue 3, 645-662

Abstract: This paper discusses Malaysia’s foreign policy towards Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1992–95, following the implementation of Milosevic’s Greater Serbia policy. Milosevic’s policy led to an ethnic cleansing onslaught that targeted the Bosniaks and Croats, involving displacement, torture, killings and widespread rape by Serbian forces. The indecisiveness and inaction of the West and the UN towards the events in the Balkans was perceived by Dr Mahathir as a clear manifestation of a double standard stance by the West. Realizing that the Bosnian needed assistance, Malaysia responded to their plight. Levering on its membership in several international organizations such as the UN, OIC, NAM and the Commonwealth, Malaysian diplomats actively lobbied for support for the Bosnians. This paper argues that Islam was the primary factor that drove Malaysia towards assisting Bosnia from the period of 1992–95. Through interviews with diplomats and Ambassadors, and an analysis of available literatures, the authors conclude that Malaysia, despite being a small Muslim-majority country, played a significant role in supporting the Bosnians. It thus demonstrates, in this case, Malaysia’s commitment towards playing a major role in the international system.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/25739638.2024.2426327

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