Diplomatic a Triannual Publication of the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia Voice Issn 2289-1277
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Volume 3 2020 DIPLOMATIC A TRIANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA VOICE ISSN 2289-1277 Diploma in Diplomacy 2020’s Graduation Ceremony The Institute of Diplomacy and Department; Dato’ Dr. Zulkapli was enforced. He also assured the Foreign Relations (IDFR) organised the Mohamed, Director, Human Capital participants that despite the pandemic Diploma in Diplomacy 2020 Graduation Development Division, Public Service related challenges, IDFR had worked Ceremony on 1 October 2020 at the Department; Senior Officers from the tirelessly to ensure that the quality of the Hilton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur with strict Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IDFR; DiD Programme remains intact. compliance to the existing SOP. DiD lecturers and speakers, IDFR’s Distinguished Fellows, as well as family The graduation ceremony then The event was graced by the members of the graduates. proceeded with the address by the Honourable Dato’ Kamarudin Jaffar, Honourable Dato’ Kamarudin Jaffar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, The ceremony commenced with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia representing the Honourable welcoming remarks by Dato’ Mohd Malaysia. In his address, Dato’ Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Zamruni Khalid, Director General Kamarudin expressed his felicitation Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. of IDFR. He congratulated the DiD to the DiD participants for successfully participants for successfully completing finishing the DiD programme. He added The ceremony was also attended their eight-month programme despite that the DiD programme conducted by by Dato’ Sri Muhammad Shahrul the challenges faced amid the Covid-19 IDFR has provided a solid foundation Ikram Yaakob, Secretary General of pandemic. Dato’ Mohd Zamruni further for Malaysian young diplomats to the Ministry; Datuk Rostam Affendi commended the DiD participants for develop into well-rounded, dynamic Dato’ Salleh, Director General, adapting to the new normal when and effective foreign service officers. Research Division, Prime Minister’s the Movement Control Order (MCO) The DiD Programme’s core modules Continued on page 18 CONTENTS Follow us on 1 Diploma in Diplomacy 2020’s Graduation Ceremony Facebook and Twitter 2-3 Highlight @IDFRMalaysia 4-10 Forum 11-18 News 19 - 20 In and Around IDFR HIGHLIGHT Feedback from the Participants The DiD 2020 was unique because it widen our engagement not merely with broaden their horizons via a series of was the first time participants had to our foreign service counterparts but also engagements with retired ambassadors, attend classes through online platforms with other relevant stakeholders. In this think-tanks, and captains of the for 105 days out of eight months of connection, I wish to express my sincere industry. Hence, I believe this exposure the programme. Modules such as gratitude to IDFR. The Competency better prepares participants for future Negotiations for Junior Officers, Drafting Enhancement Centre has provided assignments at missions abroad and of United Nations (UN) Resolutions, me with an invaluable opportunity to shapes them to be more confident, and Defending National Interests improve myself in becoming a better composed, and competent diplomats. exposed the participants to real-life diplomat and further, to best serve my diplomacy and international relations beloved country, Malaysia. Muhammad Haris Azman with other nations. The programme was Human Resource Management indeed beneficial in preparing foreign Ahmad Fadhlizil Ikram Division service officers for postings abroad. Americas Division Department of Management Services It also provided the best platform for Department of Bilateral Affairs young diplomats to enhance their soft Diploma in Diplomacy (DiD) is a unique skills, adaptability, and knowledge DiD Programme 2020 provided a and comprehensive programme in preparation for various functions, comprehensive training in various designed to prepare young diplomats for roles, and responsibilities in future. aspects of diplomacy. Despite the public their posting abroad. Given the intricate health restrictions due to Covid-19, nature of diplomacy, DiD is currently Muhammad Ashraff Nasaruddin a big kudos for the team at CEC for playing a more crucial role than ever Prime Minister’s Department arranging, for the first time in Wisma before in preparing Malaysian diplomats Putra, online classes and webinars. We to face the ‘battle’ of diplomacy. IDFR has The DiD 2020 programme has provided also had state visits which were carried played its part in laying the groundwork participants with opportunities to engage out in full compliance with the SOPs and in significance areas in diplomacy such in highly interactive and experiential public health measures. as economics, politics, cultural and learning. Specifically, the participants other important areas, for the young were enriched, enlightened, and Hoo Yip Soon diplomats to experience diplomacy first challenged through real-life case studies, Southeast Asia Division hand. I believe this golden opportunity simulations, role-plays, and the sharing Department of Bilateral Affairs should be enjoyed by all diplomats that of experiences by former and current will be posted abroad regardless of their Malaysian diplomats. The modules also Diploma in Diplomacy (DiD) is a great ministries/agencies. provided insight into policy-making and platform to help equip aspiring diplomats implementation, diplomatic reporting with the necessary skills required to Fatin Zafirah Haris and writing, negotiation and mediation, serve in the diplomatic profession. The OIC and Regional Cooperation political and economic tradecraft, programme emphasises the grasp Division (ORCD) diplomatic protocol, the functions of substantive elements, language Department of Multilateral Affairs and management of embassies and proficiency, and administrative matters consulates, public diplomacy and cross- in managing the chancery. Not only cultural communication, and other skills that, DiD also enabled participants to and competencies. I believe that the DiD programme is an essential training ground for junior Malaysian diplomats. I gained a greater appreciation for the tools of the trade that would be essential to excel in the foreign service. Thus, I have striven to be more mindful and conscious of, inter alia, the need to contribute critical ideas confidently in pursuit of our national interest, accurately anticipate the situation and development around us so that the policy analysis and recommendation for our leaders would be more effective as well as 2 | [email protected] HIGHLIGHT DIPLOMATIC VOICE | 3 FORUM Malaysia-Philippines and the Sabah Issue: Maintaining Stability through Cooperation in the Post Covid-19 Era Norraihan Zakaria Aida Yasmin Azhar Introduction the global economy into the worst crisis the Movement Control Order (MCO) in than the Great Depression of the 1930s. Malaysia and the curfew in the Philippines. The tussle over Sabah between Malaysia As of 1 December 2020, the coronavirus Malaysia has also assisted repatriating and the Philippines has largely remained infection has surpassed 63 million people 2,000 Filipinos grounded in Sabah and a game of diplomatic draughts. Although in 191 nations with the death toll has 3,000 more have yet to be repatriated.7 the issue of sovereignty was never exceeded 1.4 million.2 The cumulative 81 Malaysians stranded in the Southern questioned during more than 80 years infection cases in the ASEAN region Philippines were brought back to Kota of British control, the Philippines has have risen steeply over 1 million.3 More Kinabalu on 12 June and 76 more were carried on with disputing Sabah as part than 432,000 positive cases have been repatriated through the sea route from of Malaysia for more than 6 decades. reported in the Philippines, over 67,000 Zamboanga to Sandakan on 28 July.8 Malaysia always maintains its stand that in Malaysia and the numbers infected The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia the Philippines’ claim over Sabah has no continue to grow rapidly.4 At present, and various agencies in both nations legal bearing and vowed to never concede Sabah has recorded about 43% of the have been working closely to facilitate to the demand. Moreover, the people of total infected cases in Malaysia, making the repatriation arrangements and ensure Sabah have manifested their aspirations it the leading state that has the highest safe passage for those affected. and decisions to join the Federation of number of cases in the nation. Despite Malaysia in 1962 through the Cobbold the imposition of certain Standard Comprehensive Management on Commission. Malaysia continues to Operating Procedures to flatten the PATI pursue an independent, principled, and Covid-19 curve, the virus continues to pragmatic foreign policy. As neighbouring spread. Due to the sporadic infection Apart from the stranded Filipinos and countries and ASEAN members, a stable and unpredictable mutation, the D614G- Malaysians, the Covid-19 pandemic too bilateral relation between Malaysia and type mutation detected among Covid-19 has accentuated a Herculean challenge the Philippines must be nurtured and cases in Sabah has been claimed to of managing illegal immigrants or PATI maintained as it is key to an effective be originated from the Philippines or in Sabah. As manifested by the 2013 diplomacy. There are numerous pertinent Indonesia.5 Individuals alone or nations on Lahad Datu intrusion, the porous maritime