Page 3 - IDFR-Diplomatic Voice Vol 2 2014

PROFILE OF PROMINENT PERSON Q: Congratulations on your appoint- Wisma Putra but also in the post-re- 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 experience taught me two things; first, (ISIS) Malaysia. What were some of the experiences to deal with the challeng- long distance separation is hard on a factors that made you consider es at ISIS. First, I aim to ensure that 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 ther as much as possible and second, think-tank in Malaysia and the region. 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 During my tenure as Secretary Gene- blished. When I returned from my first policy advice to be able to meet ral, I tried to ensure that such a situa- posting in Washington D.C. and was current challenges, remain relevant 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 challenge and I dare say that I have the conferences organised by ISIS and got towards efforts to improve and 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 wonderful children who have become Director General, the late Tan Sri Dr conducive working environment, allow 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 of Foreign Affairs, adequate financial intellectual prowess I admired a lot. standards and quality of research and Q: Based on your experience and resources and a positive attitude Tan Sri Ras- My association with ISIS continued outputs. Fourth, continued efforts are knowledge, what are the key tools in among people. Nowadays, our diplo- tam was ap- afterwards when I served in the Policy needed to ensure that adequate finan- creating professional Malaysian diplo- mats are provided access to training pointed Chief Planning Division and later when I cial resources are available to the mats? and mentoring programmes at various Executive of the Institute of became the Under-Secretary for Institute. levels, at IDFR, INTAN and elsewhere Strategic and 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 International 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 Studies (ISIS) continued when I was Secretary leading think-tanks, how will Know- scores of diplomats and officials not knowledge to perform their roles. But Malaysia on 1 January 2014. General of the Ministry of Foreign ledge-Based Economy help bring only from Malaysia but also other success can only come with a positive He spent more Affairs. Malaysia closer to a developed nation countries and has established linka- “ The biggest challenge in my attitude, willingness to learn and than 36 years by 2020? ges with other diplomatic academies diplomatic career was the separa- improve and the drive to excel; quali- as a career I have always recognised ISIS Malay- and training institutions all over the ties which require self-motivation and diplomat in the service of the Govern- sia’s reputation as the oldest and A: A knowledge-based economy is the world. While maintaining its training tion between my family and I introspection and cannot be easily ment of Malaysia. He began his career in the Malaysian and Administrative leading think-tank in Malaysia. Many way forward for now and the future role, IDFR should expand its capacity during my posting as Ambassador acquired simply through training. For a Diplomatic Service (PTD) as an officer of the policy recommendations adop- and is inextricably linked to globalisa- for research especially in areas such to Bosnia Herzegovina in diplomat, skills in and command of attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ted by the Government had originated tion and the information revolution. as the political, social and cultural languages are essential. Unfortunate- in April 1974. He served in various capac- from ISIS. I actually hesitated when I Malaysia has been gearing itself to traits and peculiarities of countries and 1996-1998. The circumstances ly, many of our diplomats do not feel ities at the Ministry and Malaysian diplomatic missions abroad, including as was offered to take the job of Chief become more integrated with the rest regions. Based on the research prevailing at that time forced this the need to improve themselves in this High Commissioner of Malaysia to 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 Pakistan (1994-1996), Ambassador of with whatever I was doing after retiring the status of a high-income economy papers and reports that could help in upon us. I have quite adequately career. Malaysia to Bosnia Herzegovina from the Ministry. But I also saw the and developed nation by the year furthering our understanding of those described this unpleasant but (1996-1998), Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of Indonesia (1999-2003) 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 and Permanent Representative of Malay- familiar environment, to contribute to contributing ideas and policy recom- diplomats, business people, voluntary necessary experience in the book, probably encountered numerous sia to the United Nations in New York the advancement of knowledge and mendations in this regard and would workers, expatriates and even the Number One, Wisma Putra. That challenges. What was the biggest (2003-2005). He returned to serve as the formulation of policy advice at the continue to do so, in particular through ordinary tourist and could help avoid experience taught me two things; challenge you have had to overcome Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs at the Ministry in August 2005 and Track 2 level. its Economics, Technology, Innova- situations such as the case of alleged and how has that affected your life was appointed as Secretary General of tion, Environment and Sustainability child abuse by Malaysian parents in rst, long distance separation is today? the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 8 Q: How will your experiences at the (TIES), and Social Policy programmes. Sweden or when Malaysian compa- hard on a family especially the January 2006. Tan Sri Rastam officially Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia nies lose money in foreign countries A: The biggest challenge in my diplo- retired from Government service on 2 September 2010. help to further develop ISIS? Q: What are some of your thoughts for for lack of understanding of the children, and therefore, families matic career was the separation the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign business culture there. In this regard, should stay together as much as between my family and I during my A: The diplomatic and administrative Relations (IDFR) as the training and our diplomats abroad can be encou- possible and second, Wisma Putra 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 should try to avoid situations circumstances prevailing at that time Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been could be counted in the assessment of which force families to separate ” 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 DIPLOMATIC VOICE 3