By: Sonny Zulhuda
Covid-19 Pandemic has led major countries to close their borders and international exchange, aimed at protecting the population by governments. There is also a growing mistrust against international institutions as well as a mutual mistrust between nations, illustrated by the conflict between the USA and the People Republic of China. To add to this, we witness national egoism emerges in the shape of the race for vaccines.
Are these events, taken together, signifying the end of globalisation? An interesting seminar on this issue was held last week (18 September 2020) by Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia in collaboration with Bundeswehr University Munich, Germany, and Dortmund University of Applied Sciences, Germany, entitled “IS CORONA VIRUS THE END OF THE GLOBALISATION?”
Four experts shared their views, mixing both optimist and pessimist views. The first speaker was Prof. Dr. Mohd. Naqib Eishan Jan from IIUM. The Professor in Public International Law discussed from a historical perspective, notifying us that this Covid-19 pandemic is not the first time the world faced a huge and global crisis like this. From wars and other pandemics and even financial catastrophes, Naqib sent an optimist signal that this pandemic will not unravel the globalisation.
He nevertheless is concerned that this current Pandemic is indeed leaving lots of impacts in all areas of life. From the perspective of the multinational advances and free trade such as the WTO, Naqib was adamant that the global community and trades will find ways to recover though it may take time.
As a second speaker, a commercial law Professor from Bundeswehr University Munich Prof. Dr. Stefan Koos spoke about the impact of the pandemic on territoriality and globalization questioned whether we should be going back to reterritorialization as an option.
Dr. Mohd. Yazid Zul Kepli of IIUM elaborates on the economic and business impact. The Assistant Professor specialised in shipping and trade law, terrorism as well as money laundering crimes law, argued that the Pandemic brought about a mix of pros and cons. While the shipping, tourism, and employment all decline, he was zooming in on the increasing trend of online shopping and the use of fintech. The latter phenomenon shows the way to go for the businesses in near future. In between, Yazid also highlighted the trends of increasing cyber crime.
Last but not least, an IT and Data Protection specialist from Dortmund University of Applied Sciences Prof. Michael Bohne focuses on the fundamental rights and their restriction through corona measures and its effects on the global economy.
Around 60 people attended this online Webinar from across countries such as Germany, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone, Maldives and Nigeria. The lectures were followed by discussions among speakers and attendees. Dr. Sonny Zulhuda of IIUM acted as a moderator.
This Webinar is one of the Webinar Series jointly organised by the three universities referred above. Other webinars discuss selected emerging and interesting issues such as data protection law and the pandemic tracing, the doctrine of force majeure in the times of pandemic, as well as innovation and competition in the post-pandemic era.
The presentation slides of the above speakers can be uploaded here:
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