MALAYSIA’S PUBLIC DIPLOMACY TOWARDS INDONESIA: THE USAGE OF MALAYSIA’S ANIMATED CARTOON UPIN & IPIN AS ELEMENT OF SOFT POWER

Abstract

The relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia as neighboring countries that share many similar backgrounds, often experiences ups and downs of harmony. Therefore, this thesis discusses the usage of the Malaysian animated cartoon Upin & Ipin in the Malaysia's Public Diplomacy to Indonesia. Animated cartoon Upin & Ipin has had a pretty good popularity in Indonesia since 2010, that is why the discussing in this thesis from 2010-2019. This study aims to look at how the usage of Upin & Ipin for Malaysia's Public Diplomacy towards Indonesia using the concept of Soft Power, Public Diplomacy, and Pop-culture. This thesis uses qualitative data collection techniques obtained from literature studies, books, documents, journals, articles from electronic and non-electronic media which will conclude that Upin & Ipin contributed to Malaysia's Public Diplomacy to Indonesia. And the result of this research is Upin & Ipin makes Malaysia's image more positive in the perceptions of Indonesia that is proven by various collaborations between Indonesia and Malaysia since the animated cartoon Upin & Ipin entered and is popular in Indonesia.