Page 2 - IDFR-Diplomatic Voice Vol 2 2014

PROFILE OF PROMINENT PERSON Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa Former Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia Q: Congratulations on your appoint- Wisma Putra but also in the post-re- “ I have always recognised ISIS but necessary experience in the book, ment as the Chief Executive of Institute tirement years thus far. I can use and Number One, Wisma Putra. That of Strategic and International Studies have actually begun to draw on those Malaysia’s reputation as the oldest experience taught me two things; first, (ISIS) Malaysia. What were some of the experiences to deal with the challeng- and leading think-tank in Malay- long distance separation is hard on a factors that made you consider es at ISIS. First, I aim to ensure that sia. Many of the policy recom- family especially the children, and accepting the post of Chief ISIS continues to maintain its reputa- therefore, families should stay toge- Executive of ISIS Malaysia? tion and position as a leading mendations adopted by the Gov- ther as much as possible and second, think-tank in Malaysia and the region. ernment had originated from ISIS. Wisma Putra should try to avoid situa- A: I was a mid-career officer at Wisma Second, ISIS needs to set its priorities tions which force families to separate. Putra when ISIS Malaysia was esta- in the fields of research, analyses and I actually hesitated when I was During my tenure as Secretary Gene- blished. When I returned from my first policy advice to be able to meet offered to take the job of Chief ral, I tried to ensure that such a situa- posting in Washington D.C. and was current challenges, remain relevant Executive of ISIS. I was comfort- tion could be prevented. Alhamdulli- assigned as Principal Assistant Secre- and avoid duplication and redundan- llah, my family and I overcame that tary, I attended many seminars and cy. Third, I have given top priority able with whatever I was doing challenge and I dare say that I have the conferences organised by ISIS and got towards efforts to improve and after retiring from the Ministry. But best family that any man can have; a to know the pioneering researchers upgrade the premises and facilities, loving and supportive wife and three and staff at ISIS, in particular its first create a more staff-friendly and I also saw the opportunity to be in wonderful children who have become Director General, the late Tan Sri Dr conducive working environment, allow a different but familiar environ- rewarded with some form of academic good training and mentoring, a responsible adults and parents them- Noordin Sopiee, a man whose plea- for wider research space and creativity recognition. supportive organisation, i.e. Ministry selves. sant personality, diplomatic skill and and, above all, maintain high ment, to contribute to the of Foreign Affairs, adequate financial intellectual prowess I admired a lot. standards and quality of research and advancement of knowledge and Q: Based on your experience and resources and a positive attitude My association with ISIS continued outputs. Fourth, continued efforts are the formulation of policy advice at knowledge, what are the key tools in among people. Nowadays, our diplo- afterwards when I served in the Policy needed to ensure that adequate finan- creating professional Malaysian diplo- mats are provided access to training Planning Division and later when I cial resources are available to the the Track 2 level” mats? and mentoring programmes at various became the Under-Secretary for Institute. levels, at IDFR, INTAN and elsewhere Southeast Asia and the South Pacific reputation primarily as a diplomatic A: The key tools in creating good and which should enable them to be in 1992-94. This association further Q: Since ISIS is one of Malaysia’s training institution. It has trained professional diplomats essentially are equipped with the right skills and continued when I was Secretary leading think-tanks, how will Know- scores of diplomats and officials not knowledge to perform their roles. But General of the Ministry of Foreign ledge-Based Economy help bring only from Malaysia but also other success can only come with a positive Affairs. Malaysia closer to a developed nation countries and has established linka- attitude, willingness to learn and by 2020? ges with other diplomatic academies improve and the drive to excel; quali- I have always recognised ISIS Malay- and training institutions all over the ties which require self-motivation and sia’s reputation as the oldest and A: A knowledge-based economy is the world. While maintaining its training introspection and cannot be easily leading think-tank in Malaysia. Many way forward for now and the future role, IDFR should expand its capacity acquired simply through training. For a of the policy recommendations adop- and is inextricably linked to globalisa- for research especially in areas such diplomat, skills in and command of ted by the Government had originated tion and the information revolution. as the political, social and cultural languages are essential. Unfortunate- from ISIS. I actually hesitated when I Malaysia has been gearing itself to traits and peculiarities of countries and ly, many of our diplomats do not feel was offered to take the job of Chief become more integrated with the rest regions. Based on the research the need to improve themselves in this Executive of ISIS. I was comfortable of ASEAN and the world and to attain findings, it can produce studies, very important aspect of a diplomat’s with whatever I was doing after retiring the status of a high-income economy papers and reports that could help in career. from the Ministry. But I also saw the and developed nation by the year furthering our understanding of those opportunity to be in a different but 2020. ISIS Malaysia has helped in countries. These would be useful to Q: Throughout your career, you have familiar environment, to contribute to contributing ideas and policy recom- diplomats, business people, voluntary probably encountered numerous the advancement of knowledge and mendations in this regard and would workers, expatriates and even the challenges. What was the biggest the formulation of policy advice at the continue to do so, in particular through ordinary tourist and could help avoid challenge you have had to overcome Track 2 level. its Economics, Technology, Innova- situations such as the case of alleged and how has that affected your life tion, Environment and Sustainability child abuse by Malaysian parents in today? Q: How will your experiences at the (TIES), and Social Policy programmes. Sweden or when Malaysian compa- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia nies lose money in foreign countries A: The biggest challenge in my diplo- help to further develop ISIS? Q: What are some of your thoughts for for lack of understanding of the matic career was the separation the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign business culture there. In this regard, between my family and I during my A: The diplomatic and administrative Relations (IDFR) as the training and our diplomats abroad can be encou- posting as Ambassador to Bosnia experiences gained during the research arm of the Ministry of Foreign raged to participate in the research Herzegovina in 1996-1998. The thirty-six and a half years I spent at the Affairs, Malaysia? work and their effort and product circumstances prevailing at that time Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been could be counted in the assessment of forced this upon us. I have quite of great help not only for my career in A: IDFR has developed a very good their performance or they can even be adequately described this unpleasant 2 bulletin@idfr.gov.my