The Centre for Languages and Cultural Diplomacy (CLCD), Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), officially conducted the “Punctuation and Precision in Official Writing” course from 8 to 10 October 2026 at IDFR, Kuala Lumpur.
The course aimed to strengthen government officers’ ability to produce clear, accurate and professional official correspondence and workplace documents. Participants explored the use of commas, hyphens and dashes, colons and semicolons, and quotation marks, alongside key differences between British English and American English conventions.
Through guided instruction, discussions, group activities and practical exercises, participants practised applying punctuation rules, identifying ambiguities and improving sentence structure. They also applied their proofreading and editing skills in an exercise involving an official document. This activity focused on the nuances of punctuation.
The course brought together officers from various ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Public Works Department, Ministry of Higher Education, Department of Biosafety Malaysia, Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia (Sabah), and the Ministry of Education.
The course reflects IDFR’s ongoing efforts to support the professional development of public-sector officers. By promoting greater accuracy and consistency in official writing, it highlights the importance of clear and professional communication in government.
