Page 27 - Diplomatic Voice Vol 4

FORUM NEWS for the first two weeks, adjusting to life age and thus, would not be able to en- (OMGT) in addition to supporting va- without my pillar of support was a little tertain your calls. Since answering rious activities by the highly active bit too hard in the beginning. Whilst I phone calls is probably not in their PERWAKILAN Muscat and activities was busy adjusting to a new workload work scope, I taught myself to be per- conducted by the ASEAN Ladies Cir- at the Embassy, the children were also sistent and not give up. Nonetheless, cle (ALC) in Muscat. getting used to a new environment at after months of continuous engage- the British School of Muscat (BSM). ments with various officers at the Mi- These responsibilities were on top of During the initial phase, the 7.30 a.m nistry, I befriended many efficient the core business of ensuring Malay- to 2.30 p.m working hours at the Em- officers who have made my daily work sia’s interests are well taken care of in bassy was indeed a 360 degree smooth and manageable. Oman. Being the Second Secretary change from the life I used to lead be- cum Head of Chancery is also a chal- fore. The afternoon was spent lazing Being in a Muslim country made it ea- lenge as the HOC’s work encompas- around in the house as most shops are sier to obtain halal food and eating out ses all spectra of work in the Embassy closed from 12.30 p.m to 4.30 p.m was never a problem. The Omanis are which varies from maintaining the very friendly and humble, and often go plants, ensuring on-time payments, The children were so used to leading a all out to help their Muslim brothers keeping track of the Government’s as- hectic life in Malaysia attending piano, and sisters in time of trouble. The fact sets to keeping harmony amongst the religious and tae-kwon-do classes as that Malaysia is highly regarded by the local staff at the Embassy. The welfare well as daily family get together that Omanis made Malaysian professionals of Malaysians in Oman was also given they were at a loss due to the sudden highly sought after in many estalished utmost priority and sometimes goes spare time in Muscat. I, too, experi- companies in Oman. Although I am beyond the official obligation. enced a bit of a culture shock in terms often mistaken for a Filipino, Indone- of the time I have at hand. Having ser- sian, Vietnamese, Korean except for a Fast forward to a year and a half later ved in the Privileges and Immunities Malaysian, they would gladly enlighten and I am sitting on my jaded swiveling Unit in the Protocol Department where me of their admiration for Malaysia office chair reminiscing about my dip- activities are abound 24/7, time was once it was made known to them that lomatic journey in Oman to be read by not to be taken lightly and here I am in I am Malaysian. others. I cannot express enough how Oman, where time crawled and stood fortunate I am to be posted to this land still to my heart’s content. Similar to Malaysia, Oman too is a of legendary beauty and paradise of melting pot of various races and re- natural diversity. Despite the long mer- Adapting to Change ligions that originates from many na- ciless summer and the brief winter tionalities. As Oman’s population is months, the experience I have gained On a personal level, I found the Omani made up of 44 per cent expatriates; especially from the serving ambassa- work culture very classic to that of the majority of them from India, Pakistan dors and their spouses as well as from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) coun- and Bangladesh, the level of tolerance all the individuals I encountered on a tries. For one, they put such high value between the expatriates and locals is daily basis is priceless. to their siesta hours that even calls to understandably high. Under the cha- the Duty Officer at the Ministry of Fo- rismatic leadership of His Majesty Sul- There are still many things to learn and reign Affairs during those hours will be tan Qaboos bin Al Said, who has ruled explore in Oman and experiences from answered with either a “bad time” or Oman for the past 44 years, Oman has the journey would certainly be put to “bed time”! Everything seems to crawl progressed rapidly from where it was good use in my future endeavours. on a slow pace in Oman and it hum- before the post Qaboos era and is a The life I have in Oman has certainly bles me to the core especially when preferred country for expatriates to given me a different perspective of the need arises to deal with the locals. seek employment. what life is all about and taught me This relaxed manner towards work is that though work is necessary for even reflected in the way they walk; Enjoying Life in Oman survival, what matter most is family. I very demure and unhurried with no may have come to Oman as a stranger worries in the world. Over time, activities started to take but I will definitely leave the Sultanate shape in the form of organising and of Oman as family. I also found that once you have estab- hosting various meetings and events Mimi Kaur Ramday is lished friendship and built rapport with especially as a member of the ASEAN Second Secretary/Head of your Omani counterparts, your re- Committee in Muscat (ACM) working Chancery at the Embassy quests would have a better chance of group and coordinator for the Deputy of Malaysia in Muscat. a prompt response. However, getting Head of Missions Group in Muscat to know them on a first name basis is (DHM). Apart from that, I was also as- sometimes difficult as some of them signed as the honorary secretary of are not proficient in the English langu- the Oman-Malaysia Golf Tournament DIPLOMATIC VOICE 27