Editorial 

 

We are glad to reach the readers with the publication of this Volume 4 Issue 1, 2016. The Journal 

of ASEAN Studies has now come into its fourth year and we are pleased to stay on track in 

contributing to the development of knowledge and debates pertaining to the political, social, 

economic and security issues in Southeast Asia. In this issue, we are making several updates, 

specifically related with our articles. There are at least six interesting manuscripts that consist of 

four article and two research notes. In this issue, we do not offer a specific line of theme as the 

topics brought into this issue greatly vary. 

 

First article with this issue reframes the discussion about the discourse of ASEAN Economic 

Community (AEC) amidst the rising trend of protectionism and nationalism in the ASEAN 

Countries. Article that is written by Alexander Chandra offers a review on the debates over 

what constitute economic cooperation among ASEAN Countries. Also, in his article entitled 

"Regional Economic Community Building amidst Rising Protectionism and Economic Nationalism in 

ASEAN", Chandra discovers how the economic turn into close cooperation in Southeast Asia is 

actually transforming the distribution of power and resources in the region. He contends that 

major crises become one of the intervening variables in overcoming the prectionist inclinations 

in the region. 

 

The second article attempts to discuss the prospect of China in challenging the United States as 

a global hegemon in the 21st century. In the article that is entitled "How Does Neo-liberalism 

Explain the Likelihood of China's Threat towards United States' Global Hegemony in the 21st Century", 

Dennyza Gabiella analyzes about the 'China Threat Theory' versus 'China Peaceful Rise'. Using 

neo-liberalism as a framework, she argues that China will not potentially evolve as a threat with 

its economic growth rise significantly. She implied that despite assertive foreign policy under 

the Xi Jinping administration, China will rise peacefully. 

 

Third article explores the development of automobile industry in Southeast Asian countries. By 

focusing on four countries, namely Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Wan-

Ping Tai assesses the political economy, as well as the state policy management in directing its 

industries. In his article entitled "The Political Economy of the Automobile Industry in ASEAN: A 

Cross-Country Comparison" he argues that despite each country employs different economic 

policies, the four receive great influence from the historical experience, whereby embedded 

liberalism is located at the center of policy preference. 

 

The fourth article describes about the cybersecurity policy in Indonesia. In an article entitled 

"Cybersecurity Policy and Its Implementation in Indonesia", Muhamad Rizal and Yanyan M. Yani 

first review the threats posed in the era of cyberspace. They contend that the threat in this sector 

is definitely prevalent, as the use of information, communication and technology is also 

escalating significantly. Rizal and Yani formulate few suggestions for the Government of 

Indonesia by identifying the types of threats and the scale of the necessary counter-measures.      

 



The last two articles are situated within the research notes as both strongly demonstrate an in-

depth research and policy-updates in the respective issues. The fifth article, written by Tia 

Mariatul Kibtiah, was her paper at the 4th International Conference on Business, International 

Relations and Diplomacy (ICOBIRD), hosted by CBDS Bina Nusantara University. In her article 

entitled "Mobilizations and Movements of Foreign Fighters from Southeast Asia to Syria and Iraq", 

Kibtiah has conducted a direct survey to the former Afghan veterans in Indonesia and drew an 

interesting linkage between the state and the civil society in coping with the terrorist 

movements. Lastly, article by Risa Bhinekawati talks about the comparative policy on the small 

and medium enterprises in Indonesia and Australia. In her article entitled "Government 

Initiatives to Empower Small and Medium Enterprise: Comparing One Stop Shop for Licensing in 

Indonesia and Australia", Risa highlights the important lessons from the Australian system that 

may be applicable to Indonesia.  

 

The Journal of ASEAN Studies is glad that our articles are now accessible through wide range 

of online repositories. Moreover, each article with our journal is now assigned with a unique 

digital object identifier (DOI), which will broaden our sphere of readership and ensure the 

accessibility and the qualification of the articles. This shows our commitment to maintain the 

credibility and the quality of our journal to have an international standing and high-quality 

standard. Together with the publication of this issue, we would also like to congratulate Dr. 

Rizal Sukma, our advisory international editorial board, with his new post as the Indonesian 

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Kingdom. 

 

Jakarta, 5 August 2016 

 

 

Prof. Tirta N. Mursitama, Ph.D 

Editor-in-chief