Page 25 - Diplomatic Voice Vol 4

FORUM NEWS political and security angle, ASEAN is powers like China and India are not in Neutrality (ZOPFAN), the Treaty of seen as a cohesive, peaceful, stable a position to replicate this unique Amity and Cooperation (TAC), as well and resilient region, with established achievement. as the ASEAN Charter. Therefore, rules and shared values and norms, Malaysia is uniquely positioned to lead where member states share responsi- In his view, the two major challenges ASEAN as its Chairman in 2015 when bility for comprehensive security and confronting ASEAN are the issues on ASEAN will move towards an ASEAN which constantly strives to stay dy- the Rohingyas and the South China Community. He believes Malaysia will namic and outward looking. Sea. ASEAN should continue to work do well in its leadership role in repre- together to try to find peaceful ways to senting ASEAN to the world. Dr. Pitsuwan also stressed the fact resolve these two complex issues. that as ASEAN is a threat to no one, its Amongst the attendees at the event position is unique as it could draw As one of the founding members of were representatives and officials from major global powers like the United ASEAN, Malaysia has always been at various ministries and government States, the European Union and the forefront in advancing ASEAN as a agencies and NGOs. IDFR was repre- Russia for dialogues and discussions cohesive regional organisation. Dr. sented by Mr. Syed Bakri Syed Abdul using its ASEAN +3, the East Asia Pitsuwan elaborated on Malaysia’s Rahman, Major (Rtd.) Mohd. Ridzuan Summit (EAS) and the dialogue part- historic role in advancing the concept Mohd. Shariff and Ms. Farah Dibah ners’ frameworks. Individual Asian of the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Abu Hanipah. Workshop on Etiquette, Protocol and Event Management for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment IDFR organised a workshop on The objective of the workshop was to pants were brought on site visits to the etiquette, protocol and event manage- enhance the knowledge of JPSM Kuala Lumpur International Airport ment for the Peninsular Malaysia officials who would be involved in the (KLIA) and the Intercontinental Hotel, Forestry Department (JPSM), Ministry Welcoming and Protocol Committee Kuala Lumpur to familiarise them with of Natural Resources and Environ- for the Meeting of Malaysia-Singapore the location as well as procedures ment, Malaysia from 18 to 20 Novem- Joint Committee on the Environment involved at both places. ber 2014. The three-day workshop (MSJCE) and the Annual Exchange of aimed to equip the participants with Visits (AEV) to be held from 24 to 25 On the whole, the participants gained the basic knowledge on Standard November 2014. As such, the topics invaluable knowledge on etiquette, Operating Procedures (SOP) of event covered in this workshop were Intro- protocol and event management from management as well as the roles and duction to International and ASEAN prominent resource persons from the responsibilities of Liaison Officers, Protocol, Event Management, Roles Ministry and IDFR in preparing them Usherettes, Floor Managers and and Functions of Floor Managers, for the two events. Rapporteurs. As requested by JPSM, Liaison Officers, Usherettes and Proto- the workshop was specially tailored to col Officers, Roles and Functions of meet the needs of the participants in Rapporteurs, Personal Grooming and learning more about handling interna- Etiquette and Fine Dining Theory and tional events. Practicum. In addition, the partici- International Seminar on Malay Civilisation An international seminar on Malay to reidentify the relationship between in the area of Malay Civilisation. Civilisation (Seminar Antarabangsa the King, the people and the Malay Among them were Professor Datuk Dr. Peradaban Melayu) was organised by states under the Malaysian Constitu- Zainal Kling, School of Law, Govern- Lembaga Peradaban Melayu (ADAB), tion, especially the democratic sover- ment and International Studies, Yayasan Karyawan and Dewan eignty inherited through the Malay Universiti Utara Malaysia; Professor Bahasa dan Pustaka in collaboration civilisation. Dato’ Dr. Idris Zakaria, Faculty of with IDFR at the Auditorium from 19 to Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebang- 20 November 2014. The Welcoming Remarks was deli- saan Malaysia; Professor Datuk Dr. vered by Tan Sri Dato’ Mohd Yusof Abdullah Zakaria Ghazali, Department The seminar with the theme Raja dan Hitam, Chairman of ADAB, followed of History, University of Malaya; Rakyat Berpisah Tiada was intended by presentation of papers by experts Professor Madya Dr. Wan Zailan DIPLOMATIC VOICE 25