Volume 3 2017 ISSN 2289-1277 Cultural Appreciation Day 2017 On 22 August 2017, IDFR once again ces as well as food samplings ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat, organised a Cultural Appreciation Day were among the activities at this Istana Budaya and Kraftangan Ma- (CAD), an event which aims to year’s CAD. The participants included laysia. promote multiculturalism and cultural those from the Malaysian Technical diplomacy. It was the second one after Cooperation Programme (MTCP): As part of their showcase, the Strate- the inaugural event was held on 28 Strategic Analysis Course for Inter- gic Analysis Course participants – July last year. This year saw the after- national Participants; the Diplomatic from Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herze- noon of merriment officiated by Dato’ Training Course for Universiti Ma- govina, Fiji, Georgia, Kenya, Laos, Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the laysia Sabah (UMS); and the Diploma Mauritania, Nigeria, Papua New Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. in Diplomacy (DiD), the three pro- Guinea, Uzbekistan and Vietnam – grammes taking place at the Institute donned their traditional costumes Cultural exhibitions and performan- then. Other participants included the and displayed cultural accoutrements Continued on page 14 CONTENTS Find us on 1 Cultural Appreciation Day 2017 Facebook 2-3 Profile of Prominent Person 4-8 Forum 9-14 News 15-16 In and Around IDFR DIPLOMATIC VOICE from their respective countries. The Istana Budaya wowed the audience category), best booth and best per- DiD participants exhibited the cul- with a captivating and colourful formance was held. The winners were tural aspects of countries repre- fashion show on traditional costumes Mr. Afdal Izal Md. Hashim from IDFR senting the four foreign languages from the different races as well as (best dressed male) and Ms. Dorothy that they are currently learning – states in Malaysia. There was also a Chebet Rotich from Kenya (best Arabic, French, Mandarin and Spa- special showcase by the ASEAN- dressed female); the DiD Arabic class nish. The UMS course participants, on Malaysia National Secretariat which (DiD) for best booth and the UMS the other hand, performed Tarian saw national costumes from the ten participants for best performance. We Sumazau, a lively traditional dance member countries being exhibited, as laud their effort, as well as those who from the state of Sabah which got part of Malaysia’s ASEAN@50 cele- participated in the com- many in the audience, including the bration. Last but not least, Kraftangan petition and the overall event. foreign participants, joining in the Malaysia offered the opportunity for dance. Other performances were the visitors to its booth to try their hand at IDFR hopes to continue making the Cibi, an engaging traditional Fijian batik painting. CAD an annual event, and plans to war dance, the Kenyan’s fascinating invite a bigger participation in the welcoming dance, and the Bhangra, To add to the gaiety, a competition for future. a Punjabi traditional dance. best dressed (male and female On 22 August 2017, IDFR once again ces as well as food samplings ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat, organised a Cultural Appreciation Day were among the activities at this Istana Budaya and Kraftangan Ma- (CAD), an event which aims to year’s CAD. The participants included laysia. promote multiculturalism and cultural those from the Malaysian Technical diplomacy. It was the second one after Cooperation Programme (MTCP): As part of their showcase, the Strate- the inaugural event was held on 28 Strategic Analysis Course for Inter- gic Analysis Course participants – July last year. This year saw the after- national Participants; the Diplomatic from Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herze- noon of merriment officiated by Dato’ Training Course for Universiti Ma- govina, Fiji, Georgia, Kenya, Laos, Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the laysia Sabah (UMS); and the Diploma Mauritania, Nigeria, Papua New Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. in Diplomacy (DiD), the three pro- Guinea, Uzbekistan and Vietnam – grammes taking place at the Institute donned their traditional costumes Cultural exhibitions and performan- then. Other participants included the and displayed cultural accoutrements PROFILE OF PROMINENT PERSON Datuk Mohamad Sadik Kethergany Director General, Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations 1. As the Director General of IDFR non-traditional security threats and to play an equally important advi- have sound knowledge of Malay- Benjamin Franklin put it aptly – 5. Where do you see IDFR in the and a senior official of the Ministry, overlapping claims are lauded. sory role to the Ministry. The trans- sia’s interests and the govern- “The qualities of a diplomat are years ahead? can you share with us your view on formation exercise is envisaged to ment’s policies. It is equally im- sleepless tact, unmovable calm- the development of Malaysia’s The Ministry has since expanded assist the Ministry and ensure that it portant for them to have a tho- ness, and a patience that no folly, In line with its transformation foreign policy? its establishment to cope with this will always be au fait and well rough understanding of their host no provocation, no blunders may exercise, I am confident that DFR growing dynamics including the prepared to face the challenges and country, covering wide aspects in- shake.” These personal qualities will become a premier think tank The Federation of Malaya became a Bilateral Affairs Department, Multi- dynamics of inter-state relations cluding its history, political sys- and professional attributes would on diplomacy and international re- member of the United Nations on 17 lateral Affairs Department, ASEAN and able to effectively deal with the tem, culture and prevalent tradi- enable a diplomat to master the lations in due course. We are only September 1957 and six years later Malaysia National Secretariat intricacies of global issues today. tion, government policies, eco- delicate dance of diplomacy. in our first year of moving towards as a nation, Malaysia took its seat at (AMNS), Department of Policy nomic policies and achievements that goal. the world’s august body on 17 Planning and Coordination, Depart- In preparation for this, IDFR has, as well as its perspective on issues 4. To add value to the institute’s September 1963. There has not ment of Maritime Affairs, Protocol since the first quarter of 2017, en- of international concern. Our diplo- programmes, IDFR frequently We also need to respond to the been any dramatic shift in the and Consular Division, South East gaged research officers of varying mats should reach out to establish collaborates with think tanks, Fourth Industrial Revolution and fundamental principles of our Asia Regional Centre for Counter academic background to under- diverse contacts and build relation- universities and non-government equip the young diplomats with foreign policy ever since then. We Terrorism (SEARCCT), National take research work in various key ships with as many people as pos- organisations. Can you share with the necessary knowledge in order adopt an independent and princi- Authority for Chemical Weapons current issues of direct relevance sible, especially with those in the our readers who IDFR is in colla- to embrace the opportunities and pled position in our international Convention, Legal Division, Integrity and pertinence to the Ministry. We circle of influence. Once they are boration with at the moment and challenges that come with its relations posture, uphold the sanc- Unit, Department of Management are on the right track despite some accepted and have wide access to in what areas? advent. The exponential progress tity of international law and treaties Services, and IDFR. challenging constraints of softwares the corridors of power in diverse of technology – in ICT, Nuclear, to which we subscribe to, staying and hardwares. It is still early days sectors of interest, maintaining the Presently IDFR has a joint colla- Chemical, Space, Ocean Space, away from interfering in the internal 2. As the Ministry’s training arm, how and these challenges should not line of communication open could boration with Universiti Kebang- Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, affairs of other countries and main- can IDFR’s role be enhanced to distract us from producing our own facilitate them to function effecti- saan Malaysia (UKM) on a Master etc – necessitates efforts to close taining friendly relations with all contribute further to the formula- in-house subject matter experts vely. of Social Science in Strategy and the gap of understanding and countries. The above notwithstan- tion and implementation of Malay- and play an advisory role to the Diplomacy, which is already in its enhance the working relations ding, our foreign policy is not cast in sia’s foreign policy? Ministry. A diplomat is also his country’s 19th year and has produced more between diplomats, scientists and stone. It evolves with time and the eyes and ears. He is on the ground than 200 graduates. The pro- industries to maximise the benefits dynamics of geopolitics around the Since its inception in 1991, IDFR 3. You have served the Ministry and should therefore have a better gramme uniquely blends acade- and mitigate potential disruptions world. We cooperate closely with has played a leading role in equip- for more than 28 years. In your feel of issues to report back accu- mic perspective and practitio- to society. other members of the United ping our diplomats with the ne- opinion, what are some of the