Page 6 - 01_2021 PULSE@FASS e-Bulletin

Issue no. 1 | 2021

The Future of US- Financial Assistance

China Relations in the Handover Ceremony

Biden Era and its to the Department Of
Impacts on the Middle Social Administration

East
And Justice

Organised by Asia Middle East Forum, Ankara University,
BY DR. NORALINA OMAR
Turkey, this Webinar featured paper presentations on the
interactions and intrusions by both China and the United
States (US) in the Middle East. For centuries, the Middle
East has become the primary focus of US security policy,
including its support for Israel, and its stance towards
authoritarian governments and its war on terrorism.
Meanwhile, China’s economy has grown more than six-
fold over the past ten years. China became the world’s
largest energy consumer in 2010, as well as one of the
emerging political-economy actors through its Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI) projects in various parts of the middle
East, Asia and Africa.

Middle Eastern governments with oil or gas depend on
energy exports to finance their defence and domestic
welfare, development, and stability. Those without such
resources seek subsidies for the same purposes.
Geopolitically, both China and the US have a long history
of engagement with the Middle East. While recent
precarious turbulence of the region attracts more
The selected 15 student recipients from the Dept. of Social
collusions between both superpowers, the peoples of the
Administration and Justice
Middle East share a desire for freedom from past imperial
On 8th January 2021, The National Islamic Workers
dominance, present authoritarian controls and for more
Association of Tenaga Nasional Berhad generously
affirmation of their disparate religious, ethnic, or cultural
provided financial contribution to 15 students of the
diversities.
Department of Social Administration and Justice who
come from underprivileged families to ease their burden in
facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The financial assistance worth RM1000 for each student
can be utilized by students to settle the arrears of semester
fees or to meet attendant needs of online learning. The
assistance was delivered by Dato Ir. Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul
Majid, Vice President of TNB National Islamic Workers
Association, while the faculty was represented by the
dean, Professor Datuk Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken.

The ceremony was also attended by a few representatives
from the National Islamic Workers Association and staff of
the Department of Social Administration and Justice. The
highest appreciation is expressed to the organizing
committee who managed to organize the event despite
the challenges of complying with the standard operating
procedures to safeguard against COVID-19.

6 | Pulse @ FASS