Dauliyah: Journal of Islam and International Affairs

Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking (COMMIT) to Combat Human Trafficking in Thailand

Andien Dewi Aulia Zahra — 2025-02-28

The phenomenon of intra-regional migration has occurred since 1980 in Southeast Asia and continues to increase. One of them is in the sub-region known as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). GMS countries including China (Yunan Province and Guangxi Autonomous Region), Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, have different economic conditions. Thailand is a country with the strongest economy, thus attracting migrants to work in Thailand, especially migrants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar. This mobility has opened up opportunities for human trafficking, so the six countries agreed to a memorandum of understanding which continued with the formation of the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking (COMMIT) and issued the Subregional Plan of Action (SPA). This study aims to determine the implementation of SPA IV carried out by Thailand in the period 2018 - 2022 along with its obstacles. As a result, in implementing the Subregional Plan of Action IV COMMIT, Thailand has focused more on measures to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute perpetrators. However, implementation has also encountered obstacles due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implementation of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia in 2022-2023

Gustri Eni Putri — 2025-02-26

Malaysia has long been a primary destination for Indonesian migrant workers (PMI); however, they frequently encounter issues such as violence and discrimination in the workplace. In response, the Indonesian government introduced a policy for the protection of PMI in Malaysia in 2022, aiming to enhance their welfare and security through a bilateral cooperation framework. This study employs Merilee S. Grindle’s Policy Implementation Theory as an analytical framework to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy’s implementation between 2022 and 2023. Using a qualitative research approach based on a literature review, this study identifies several challenges in the implementation of the policy. The findings indicate that the policy has not been optimally enforced due to violations by the Malaysian government, particularly concerning the continued use of the unregulated Sistem Maid Online (SMO) recruitment system, which contradicts the bilateral agreement. Consequently, cases of labor rights violations persist. Additionally, limitations in financial and institutional resources, weak law enforcement, and diverging political interests between Indonesia and Malaysia further hinder the effectiveness of this policy. Although the policy introduced progressive measures such as the One Channel System (OCS), minimum wage regulations, and the prohibition of document confiscation, its implementation remains inconsistent. Therefore, strengthening bilateral cooperation, enhancing monitoring mechanisms, and enforcing stricter regulations are imperative to ensuring the effective protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia.

Summit Diplomacy under Jokowi Governance: Revealing the Implementation and National Interest in ASEAN Summit

Jelita Eka Azzahra — 2025-03-03

The rapid development of today’s era due to advancement of science and technology also the increasement of world dynamic complexity has driven ramification of diplomacy concept that promote summit diplomacy. As Jokowi reputation bolstered up since Indonesia successfulness to run G20 presidency and contribute to many summits without marginalizing diplomats’ roles, the highlight discussion enhanced to practice of Indonesia summit diplomacy towards ASEAN since it always be cornerstone of Indonesia foreign policy in line with ASEAN Chairmanship 2023. Within case of ASEAN Summit and ASEAN + EU Summit in 2022 particularly, this research aimed to answer how’s the implementation of Indonesia summit diplomacy under Jokowi administration which applicated Ku framework of summit diplomacy by using Lamount qualitative approach. The result shown that first discussed leaders as performer, Jokowi is able to perform impressively during ASEAN summit regardless his background, Summitry activities and diplomatic whereas under his leadership the summit is addressed to enhance relations and cooperation to achieve common interest with bringing Indonesia goals, media control that informed expansively the result of summit and portray Jokowi as appreciation towards his work for Indonesian and ASEAN people and last Collaborating with Other States as Joint Production reflected from Jokowi intensively encouragement that succeed enhancement of ASEAN-EU cooperation. To support this study, data is obtained from primary resources from declaration, formal report etc., with support secondary sources including textbook, articles and literature reviews. The main outcomes indicate a well implemented Jokowi’s summit diplomacy that highlight national interest amidst international agenda.

The Impact of State-Local Government Relations on Local Government Performance in Ogun State

Mahmud Osho — 2025-03-03

This study examines the impact of state-local government relations on the performance of local governments in Ogun States, Nigeria, with an emphasis on how such relationship affects local government performances. Local governments are critical in driving economic development and delivering essential services to improve citizens' well-being. However, their performance is often constrained by imbalances in the relationship with state governments. This research employed a mixed-methods approach, including descriptive analysis, multicollinearity tests, factor analysis, and regression analysis, to assess the dynamics of state-local interactions. Primary data were gathered through interviews with local government officials, policymakers, and development experts, alongside questionnaires distributed within selected local governments. Secondary sources comprised government reports, academic literature, and policy documents. Three local governments were purposively selected from the state, with 400 questionnaires administered across Abeokuta North, Yewa North, and Sagamu local government. Findings indicate that local governments lack financial autonomy, with state approval required for service delivery and infrastructure projects, thereby hampering sustainable progress. Although a generally cooperative relationship exists, the financial dependence of local governments on state allocations due to the joint account system limits their accountability and capacity for independent infrastructure development. The study recommends enhancing local government autonomy through policy reforms, technical support, and staff training, alongside formalized communication protocols to strengthen intergovernmental collaboration.

Keywords: State-local government relations, local government autonomy, poverty reduction, sustainable development, Nigeria

Iranian Foreign Policy Strategy Regarding China's Belt And Road Initiative

Dina Yulianti — 2025-03-03

The Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development project initiated by China by building roads and railroads connecting Asia to Europe and the Indo-Pacific port line starting from Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. One country with an important strategic position in this project is Iran, which geographically connects the BRI Southern Corridor (China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor), which connects Central Asia, Iran, Turkey, and the Balkan countries. This article explains Iran's foreign policy strategy regarding China's BRI based on Lovell's typology of foreign policy strategies (1970). Using a qualitative method, the findings of this article are that Iran is implementing a concordance strategy of foreign policy. Iran implements tactical objectives by exploiting tactical advantages, reducing tactical losses, increasing bargaining position, and strengthening deterrence. Iran also performs tactical strategies consisting of "declarations and commitments, promises and threats" and "demonstrations of capability".