CROSS BORDER DYNAMICS: ASSESSING THE NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE MALAYSIA-BRUNEI DARUSSALAM LAND BORDER

Abstract

Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia share a land border that extends across 500km and managing its security dynamics is beset with challenges that require extensive policing, enforcement and management in order to effectively control and deter illegal elements. Arguably the bulk of these security concerns are of the non-traditional nature such as illegal entry, smuggling and trafficking of contrabands, drugs and persons, illegal logging and the opening up of rat lanes and the failure to efficiently mitigate them has been criticized on the basis of lack of enforcement, lack of integrity and corruption. The consequences of these criminal elements can be economic, socio-cultural as well as political, and both countries must effectively collaborate in managing these security concerns. Hence, the article will look into analyzing both the factors and roots of the challenges in the land borders for Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam and the gaps in the existing collaboration between the two countries. Primarily, this research will be carried out to address the discrepancy in the body of knowledge on this specific issue. Due the nature of factors found in the initial research, a qualitative method made up of a key stakeholder interview and literature analysis will be conducted. This study is expected reveal the main issues behind the drawbacks associated with boundary law enforcement and the shortcomings of the inter-government collaboration in protecting the land border.