IDFR’s Inaugural Cultural Appreciation Day In line with IDFR’s aim of The two MTCP programmes sum, tacos and salade niçoise. promoting cultural diplomacy, the comprised participants from Institute organised its first ever Bangladesh, Brunei, Bhutan, This was followed by performances Cultural Appreciation Day on 28 Ecuador, Egypt, Georgia, Jordan, by participants from the Philippines, July 2016. The event was held in Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Malaysia, collaboration with the participants Mauritius, Pakistan, Palestine, the which, among others, featured a of the three programmes taking Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, mock Malay wedding ceremony. place at the Institute then; the Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam The Ambassador of the Republic Diploma in Diplomacy (DiD), the and Zambia, and each country was of Tajikistan, H.E. Dr. Muzaffar Malaysian Technical Cooperation given a booth to decorate with Muhammadi, then took to the stage Programme (MTCP): Strategic items and paraphernalia from their for an impromptu performance on Analysis Course and the Malaysian home country. The participants the dutar, a traditional long-necked Technical Cooperation Programme donned beautiful traditional/national two-string lute. (MTCP): Intercultural Awareness costumes and took turns to and Diplomacy Course. present about their culture during Since it was still the month of a walkabout session. The DiD Syawal, the Institute took the The event was graced by Dato’ participants, made up of officers opportunity to also organise a Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, small Eid celebration lunch. The the Deputy Secretary General of the showcased their command of afternoon allowed everyone Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Others foreign languages that they are present to learn and appreciate the in attendance were several Heads learning at IDFR – Arabic, French, culture of other countries, besides of Department of the Ministry and Mandarin or Spanish – through a getting to know each other better members of the diplomatic corps of food demonstration. Among the and enjoying good food. the MTCP participating countries. food served were baklava, dim DIPLOMATIC VOICE PROFILE OF PROMINENT PERSON Tan Sri Dato’ Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak Secretary General of the World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation and Former Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia 1. You retired from the civil service that we can play a proactive role Malaysian diplomats competitive in 2006 after having served as both regionally and globally. and at par with, if not better than a diplomat for 34 years. Can their foreign counterparts. However, you share your thoughts on the 2. As one who had a very awareness of all these alone is progress Malaysia has made in successful diplomatic career not enough without dedicated the international arena? and had served as the Secretary commitment by our own diplomats General of the Ministry for more to continuously improve the quality Answer than four years prior to your of their performance. Wisma I believe Malaysia’s contribution retirement, can you share some Putra itself can be instrumental, of since independence as a ideas on how our diplomats can course, in ensuring the recruitment responsible member of the further enhance their skills and of diplomats of the right calibre international community in debates become top-notched diplomats and aptitude and the provision of on major global issues including like yourself and many other logistical support, diplomatic tools Apartheid, Environment, Antartica, illustrious Malaysian diplomats? and resources necessary to enable Law of the Sea, Climate Change, our diplomats to perform their level Disarmament, Non proliferation best at the regional and international of Weapons of Mass Destruction, level to the satisfaction and pride of Sustainable Development and, in the nation. the recent years, in respect of the Global Movement of the Moderates 3. You have been the Secretary are well documented. Similarly General of the World Islamic various initiatives including the push Economic Forum (WIEF) for the membership of the ASEAN Foundation since 2008. WIEF is Ten, the establishment of the ASEAN in a position to play an important Charter plus an ASEAN Human role in economic diplomacy. Rights Body, the Declaration on the Can you tell us more about the Code of Conduct in the South China progress the Forum has made in Sea, the East Asia Summit and the fostering business relationships establishment of regional Growth among OIC member countries Triangles as well as the Langkawi and bolstering their economic International Dialogue all bear the performance? imprint of Malaysia’s unmistakable and well-recognised contributions in Answer the international arena. As we look Answer I consider it a great privilege to forward to the years ahead amidst It goes without saying that be associated with the WIEF, an various geo-political, security and acquisition of diplomatic skills and offshoot of the 2003 OIC Business economic challenges, it is important knowledge is a continuous affair and Forum, from the beginning and to that the principle of equity and justice should not stop upon graduation of be directly involved in its progress guided by international law continue relevant degrees, courses or training in various capacities since its to be the basis in the formulation programmes. With easy access establishment in 2005, first as of Malaysia’s foreign policy in the to vast and varied information a member of the International pursuit of the country’s national available now at the click of a finger, Advisory Panel, then as a member interest. I believe that economic continuous self-learning to broaden of the Board of Trustee and finally diplomacy pertaining to the growth one’s knowledge on diplomacy and Secretary General. The Forum of Islamic Finance and Banking related disciplines should be part and is now a globally recognised could be an important dimension of parcel of a diplomat’s daily life. All business and economic platform Malaysia’s foreign policy initiative these are vital ingredients to making with a wide geographical reach 2 | [email protected] PROFILE OF PROMINENT PERSON that goes beyond the membership It is always difficult to measure to serve the nation. I believe we of the OIC to encompass both the the direct outcome of training should do the same. This is where Muslim and the non-Muslim world. programmes offered to the quality of AFMA can play a meaningful role in The focus given by the Forum to diplomats produced. I believe much creating the necessary framework business and economic related progress has been achieved by IDFR with Wisma Putra’s support to issues whilst eschewing political, since its establishment in 1991, not allow for advisory services on security and religious issues, has only physically with a much better diplomacy and foreign relations to made it more acceptable worldwide and bigger complex but in terms of be provided in a more systematic and contributed significantly to its the structure, content and diversity and professional manner by the current success. Headquartered of the courses and programmes relevant ex-ambassadors. Failure in Kuala Lumpur as a Malaysian offered at the Institute. I noted the in our previous attempts to do so initiative under the patronage of the review of IDFR’s programmes and should not necessarily discourage Prime Minister and supported by the the transformation initiated recently a revisit of such a proposal for the relevant Agencies including Wisma with a view to making them more ultimate good of the nation. Putra and MITI together with the relevant in keeping with the needs of private sector, the independently our time. The successive DGs have 6. What would your advice be to run annual WIEF is fast emerging as all made their own contributions. For our junior diplomats, especially Malaysia’s contribution to promoting me personally, I am happy to see those who have just joined the global business collaboration as the logo of IDFR and the Masters Ministry? it moves from Kuala Lumpur to Programme with UKM introduced Islamabad, Kuwait, Jakarta, Astana, during my time being currently Answer London and Dubai over the last 11 retained. Our ultimate objective Rightfully, a career in the diplomatic years. Jakarta was again the host of should be to transform IDFR into service should be a preferred choice the Forum in 2016 to be followed by a globally recognised, prestigious of the officers concerned rather the Republic of Korea in 2017. The and world class Diplomatic Institute than something that happened to ever increasing popularity of the comparable to the best there is. be available. They need to have the Forum is testament to the significant right inclination, aptitude, disposition benefits enjoyed by the participants, 5. You are also a former President and mindset, accompanied by the including women and youth, from of the Association of Former knowledge, skills, competence and the wide ranging and multi-faceted Malaysian Ambassadors (AFMA). dedication to give their level best programmes offered by the WIEF. In your opinion, what can the to the foreign service. They should association do to contribute be consciously aware of their role 4. You were IDFR’s third Director towards Malaysia’s diplomacy and responsibility in preserving General, having served from and foreign relations and also to Malaysia’s good name, reputation 1997 to 1998. As IDFR celebrates assist IDFR in enhancing its core and national interest through their its 25th anniversary this year, business? conduct and performance at the how do you see the progress regional and international level. IDFR has made thus far and how Answer In short, they should continuously do you think it can improve its It is interesting to note that strive to be a good diplomat. And role to meet the ever changing the number of Malaysian ex- being a good diplomat means being challenges in the diplomatic ambassadors has now reached prepared and confident enough to world? 195 and that many are still healthy be benchmarked against the best and active.