Kosovo is an interesting case not just because of the false moral dilemma presented within the framework of statehood to libertarians. With Kosovo finally declared itself as an independent state, Malaysia faces a diplomatic dilemma on whether to recognize Kosovo.
The issue of recognition has split the European Union into two in part due to fear that a recognition may affect the integrity of various states in Europe. Two of these states are Spain and Belgium. To be certain, EU member states are not the only ones facing the question of Kosovo.
Southeast Asia has a recent history of violent separatist movements. The most successful took place in East Timor. Invaded and occupied by Indonesia for about a quarter of a century, East Timor became only truly free in 1999. Aceh was another area which Indonesia had trouble with. Armed conflicts were common there until both sides agreed to a peace deal where Aceh was granted with autonomy power. Irian Jaya is yet another province with notable separatist movement in Indonesia. At one time in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis, the balkanization of Indonesia seemed like a real concern.
Slightly up north lay Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago with active separatist groups. In Pattani, a movement was awaken after being dormant for decades. Other less known and weaker movements exist in Myanmar.
Being situated at the heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia is physically close to most hot spots. At one time or another, neighboring countries facing armed separatism had accused Malaysia of aiding the rebellions.
Kosovo was a province of Serbia and its situation is quite different from the breakup of Yugoslavian federation where the basic unit of the federation were states such as Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia. In the case of Kosovo, it is part of a unitary state, of Serbia, where the most basic unit itself is Serbia.
Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, like Serbia, are unitary states. And like Serbia, the 3 Southeast Asian countries face real separatism issues. A Malaysian recognition of Kosovo sets a potentially problematic precedent to follow given the scenario in 3 Malaysian neighbors.
Both Indonesia and the Philippines are aware how recognition of Kosovo would affect them. This is why the two countries have decided to postpone decision-making on Kosovo at the moment. I believe the two will remain neutral on the matter. I also believe that the logical step for Thailand is to oppose the Kosovar declaration. Two other countries beside which expressed position are Vietnam and Singapore. The former has decided to not recognize Kosovo while the island state is studying the matter.[1]
Unlike other Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia was fast in recognizing Kosovo.[2] In fact, Malaysia is the only country in Southeast Asia that has done so, so far. The only way to make this not awkward is to have Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines to willingly recognize Kosovo. With recognition from these countries, Malaysia could escape the burden of being consistent. I would imagine the Badawi administration with its incoherent policies would love that.
Perhaps, Malaysian recognition is inevitable. As the chair of the OIC, Malaysia may be under pressure to recognize Kosovo by the Muslim world.
Be as it may, I would have preferred Malaysia to adopt a more calculated move. We should have waited for Indonesia and the Philippines to make a decision first. It is only courteous to both. The question of Kosovo, after all, is not so pressing to Malaysians. Besides, how many Malaysians can find Kosovo on the map, anyway?
Before I end, I have a question. Since we only have a care-taker government at the moment, does the government have the power to recognize a state?
[1] — Read [International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence at Wikipedia. Accessed February 20 2008][↩]
[2] — Malaysia said Wednesday it welcomed Kosovo’s independence from Serbia which was unilaterally announced Sunday.
[Malaysia welcomes Kosovo’s independence. Kyodo. February 2008] [↩]
p/s — Apparently, as I found out over 6 months later, the recognition has yet to be granted.
Pristina – Malaysia is still assessing the case of Kosovo’s recognition and has not made up its mind one way or the other. [Malaysia Still Mulling Kosovo Recognition. BalkanInsight.com. August 14 2008
12 replies on “[1557] Of the issue with the Malaysian recognition of Kosovo”
[…] mentioned previously, such recognition maybe problematic for Malaysia, especially when there are so many separatist movements in the world. Just outside the […]
Dear Asdren,
Thank you for highlighting the book. I’ll try to get hold of it.
Saudara Hafiz,
I absolutely disagree with you that Kosovo was ever part of Serbia before it was part of Albania. I can see that you read the serbian propaganda against Kosovo.
I would suggest you read the book of the english historian and balkan`s history expert Noel Malcolm “Kosovo – A short history” http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/pfp.asp?ean=9780814755983& z=y
The book is brilliant that covers the whole history of Kosovo based on facts and arguments. Its the best ever written book about the Kosovo`s histroy written with the aim to cater not to the sensitivities of Albanians or Serbs but to put some sun light over the true history of Kosovo.
p.s. If you can’t find the book, let me know so i can lend it for you to read. I’ll be around KL.
Dear asdren,
It is a fair comparison. In fact, several Southeast Asia shares Serbia’s concern and that is why they are reluctant to recognize Kosovo.
Back around the 10th century, the area occupied by modern day Kosovo (and more) was part of Serbia. According to my reading, the Slavs first migrated into the area now known as Kosovo back in the 6th century. There is part of the reason why Serbia calls Kosovo as its the cradle of its civilization. If we really want to seek legitimacy in history, we shouldn’t pick and choose events. All must be considered, not just events in the 19th and the 20th centuries.
Regardless of the history, the crux of the matter is the implication of the recognition of Kosovo, not Kosovar independence per se. There are two different issues.
In fact, it is the case of Kosovo that would make your scenario of Chinese Malaysians declaring Penang as an independent Chinese land all the more legitimate and possible. By implication, Penang can do that. But strictly, that case would parallel Yugoslavia instead of Serbia.
The story of Kosovo is very different from that of Malaysia and Singapore. Malaysia expelled Singapore out of the federation.
I’ve read it. But I’ve said earlier that it may not be of help.
Don’t get me wrong. I do sympathize with Kosovo. But I’m also concerned with its implication to ASEAN member states.
More states Islamic like Chechnya, Rohingya, KAshmir, MIndanao, Patani, Xinjiang…will follow suit.
Asdren, SEA are comparable to Kosovo.
In fact,if an Alien race from outer space start observed and categorised human history, most country share the brutal humanity traits. And we are no different that animals that marked its own border.
Hafiz,
FYI, Kosovo in the past was called Dardania. Dardanians where from the Illyrian tribes which are the ancestors of Albanians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardani
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dardania_(Europe)
Republic of Kosovo is not to compare with other countries in the SEAsia. When Serbia became independent in 1878, Kosovo was not part of Serbia. Serbia occupied Kosovo in 1918 with the collaps of Ottoman empire and untill that time Kosovo has been part of Albania (which is and always will be an Albanian land).
Same as Malaysia that was occupied by Dutch, Japane…British, Kosovo was occupied by Serbs. The difference btw Malaysia and Kosovo is that there was no killings, massacres, brutality, unjusice, massgraves and everykind of psico-physical torture over Malays but all of them were being implemented over the albanians in Kosovo.
Serbs, same as Chinese (immigrating from China) in Malaysia they have come and settled in the Balkan region from southern parts of Russia. If Serbs have any rights to declare Kosovo as their land than Chinese have any rights to declare Penang and other states (half of Malaysia) as Chinese land. :))
I dont see why there is need for philosophies and empty long talks whether to recognize Kosovo as soverign and free or not. Im sure Malaysia still weeps over the seperation of Singapore. Do you want the same fate to befall the others too?
The lack of knowledge of the history of Balkans drives us aways from the reality. I would suggest that you read more of the history of Balkans and in particular of Albania.
p.s. Kementerian Luar Negeri Malaysia recognizes Kosovo http://www.kln.gov.my/?m_id=15&hid=607
asdren
Perhaps Thomas Jefferson say it all :
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety
I wouldn’t say Kosovo independent are a way of seeking freedom. To the opposite, it might be a way of seeking security. Kosovo people insecurity feels over Serbia. A mix feeling of security more than border freedom.
After looking at so many country form after WWII, it is clear that country that seeking for “freedom” at in fact not after freedom. But to gain “security” from own. Because the lack of the culture freedom , most country plunge into security issue.
sigh!
Of course the government can. Whether it should is a different question altogether. According to Wikipedia, the concept of a caretaker government is not universally part of the Westminster system, and is actually only seriously practiced by Australia and New Zealand.
Oops. Sorry for the formatting error.