This paper examines Malaysia's involvement in energy-related foreign policy, both via bilateral and multilateral engagements, from the perspective of neoliberal institutionalism. This study seeks to assess the significance of energy in Malaysia's economy and diplomacy, as well as elucidate Malaysia's rationale for participating in these collaborations. It is necessary due to Malaysia's increasing engagement in the global energy market. Data for this research was collected from many government sources, interviews, published statistical data, and prior studies. The report illustrates the crucial role that energy plays in Malaysia's economy. The participation of Malaysia in the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP) project serves as proof of the practicality of international power trade in the region. The Peninsula Gas Utilisation (PGU) pipeline in Peninsular Malaysia and the Four-Fuel Diversification Policy 1981 (4FDP 1981), which aims to enhance the utilisation of natural gas, are connected to Malaysia's involvement in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (MT-JDA). Malaysia could consider optimising its energy management.

KEYWORDS: Energy diplomacy, Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area, ASEAN Power Grid, Regional cooperation.

Dr. Rabiul Islam is currently an Associate Professor at the University Utara Malaysia. Prior to joining UUM, he was a senior lecturer in the department of Economics. He was a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Institute for Environment and Development, University Kebangsaan Malaysia. In addition, he obtained his PhD in Environment and Development Economics under the Institute for Environment and Development, UKM. He has more than 18 years of experience in research as well as economics teaching and published over 180 papers in highly reputable journals and presented in international conferences in front of world-renowned audiences in his respective fields.