'Common to pick envoys without diplomatic background'

NSTP

KUALA LUMPUR: Appointments of politicians and non-career diplomats as Malaysian envoys are a common practice.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Senator A. Kohilan Pillay said the selection of envoys without diplomatic background was common in the foreign service.

"This is based on their talents, merits and a good track record, with Wisma Putra confident that non-career diplomats appointed as envoys can deliver," he told the New Straits Times.

Asked how selections were made, he said envoys were drafted from among the most talented and best suited for such foreign postings.

"It is also based on their overall performance and achievements over the past 10 to 15 years. If their service to the people has been good, then they can perform."

Kohilan said non-diplomats appointed as ambassadors and high commissioners were usually specialists in certain areas.

An envoy's term is on a contract of between three and four years, with the possibility of extension if they deliver. He added that besides politicians, non-career diplomats also included lecturers.

Kohilan was asked to comment on the appointment of former chief of defence forces, Gen (R) Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Zainal as ambassador to France.

Aziz and three others received their instruments of appointment from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara on Thursday.

A politician who is currently serving as an ambassador is Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis, who is Malaysian ambassador to the United States.

Since its establishment, Wisma Putra has had the services of such personalities as Tan Sri Daniel Tajem, Datuk John Nuek and Tan Sri Jamil Johari (from Sarawak), and Tan Sri Thomas Jayasooria and Tun Fuad Stephens (from Sabah) either as ambassadors or high commissioners.

Former ambassador Datuk Deva Mohd Ridzam said, however, it was not advisable for non-career diplomats to be appointed envoys as there was a tendency for them to fall short of expectations.

"Without years of being in the rough and tumble of diplomacy from bottom up, there is a tendency for non-career diplomats to be hesitant, halting and lacking punch and bite in interactions with clients."

He said diplomacy was a profession which required specialised knowledge and skills and years of experience.

"For a career ambassador, his constituency is the nation and the government as a whole, so to speak.

"He is not partisan or beholden to any interest or individual."

Bekas Panglima Angkatan Tentera Abdul Aziz Dilantik Duta Ke Perancis

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Mei (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin pada Khamis berkenan menyerahkan watikah pelantikan kepada empat duta dan seorang pesuruhjaya tinggi.

Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Zainal, 58, yang merupakan bekas Panglima Angkatan Tentera menerima watikah sebagai duta Malaysia ke Perancis dalam satu istiadat penyerahan watikah pelantikan di Istana Negara.

Turut menerima watikah pelantikan ialah Datuk Zakaria Sulong sebagai pesuruhjaya tinggi Malaysia ke Britain, Datuk Ho May Yong sebagai duta ke Switzerland, Datuk Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob sebagai duta ke Austria dan Mat Dris Yaakob, 50, sebagai duta ke Syria.

Ini kali kedua Zakaria, 57, bertugas di London dalam karier diplomatik selama 35 tahun.

Beliau menyandang jawatan penasihat kedutaan pada tahun 1993 sebelum berkhidmat sebagai duta ke Bosnia-Herzegovina pada tahun 2000 dan duta ke Jerman pada 2007 sehingga sebelum pelantikan ke London.

Ho, 52, berkhidmat dengan Wisma Putra sejak 1984 dan pernah bertugas sebagai Konsul Besar Malaysia di Perth, Australia, dan pegawai tugas-tugas khas kepada Perdana Menteri.

Muhammad Shahrul Ikram, 48, sebelum ini duta ke Qatar dan pada Februari tahun ini, beliau dipilih sebagai pengerusi lembaga gabenor Agensi Tenaga Atom Antarabangsa (IAEA) yang beribu pejabat di Vienna untuk penggal 2009/2010.

Mat Dris sebelum ini pernah bertugas sebagai Konsul Besar Malaysia di Vancouver, Kanada, dan penasihat kedutaan di Oman.

-- BERNAMA

Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Dilantik Pengerusi IAEA

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Feb (Bernama) -- Duta Malaysia ke Qatar, Datuk Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, dilantik sebagai pengerusi baru Lembaga Gabenor Agensi Tenaga Atom Antarabangsa (IAEA).

Muhammad Shahrul Ikram dilantik secara sebulat suara pada mesyuarat khas lembaga itu pada 12 Feb lalu dan beliau akan berkhidmat sebagai pengerusi lembaga ITU sehingga September ini.

Wisma Putra, dalam kenyataan hari ini, berkata pencalonan Muhammad Shahrul Ikram itu diluluskan oleh kumpulan Asia Tenggara dan Pasifik (SEAP) di mana Malaysia menjadi anggota kumpulan itu.

Beliau merupakan seorang diplomat kanan dan biasa dengan tugasan dalam badan antarabangsa itu selepas pernah berkhidmat sebagai Wakil Gilir Residen Malaysia ke IAEA dari tahun 2002 hingga 2005.

Beliau juga telah berkhidmat sebagai Setiausaha Bahagian Hal Ehwal Politik Multilateral di Kementerian Luar dari 2005 hingga 2007 yang bertanggungjawab antara lain dalam hal ehwal IAEA, kata Wisma Putra.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysia sacks IAEA envoy after Iran nuclear vote

VIENNA, Feb 9 — Malaysia has fired its ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog for voting against a resolution rebuking Iran and he will be replaced as rotating head of the agency’s governing body later this week, officials said.

The rare removal of a senior serving diplomat on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board of governors underlined the volatile politics and high stakes in policymaking involving Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.

Mohd Arshad Manzoor Hussain, a 35-year diplomatic veteran, told Reuters he had been sacked by his government after being recalled to Kuala Lumpur following the Nov 27 vote and several weeks of consultations.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in December that Arshad disregarded orders by voting “no” to a resolution passed by a 25-3 margin with six abstentions to censure Iran for building a second uranium enrichment plant in secret.

“I am very disappointed at this development (to sack me) as I had hoped my government would renew my contract to enable me to complete my mandate as chairman,” Arshad said in Vienna, where he had returned to await his capital’s decision. “This has not happened and I just have to accept it as my fate.”

The IAEA board will hold a special one-day meeting on Friday to appoint a successor, identified in a confidential memo obtained by Reuters as Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, previously Kuala Lumpur’s ambassador in Qatar.

A senior diplomat close to the matter said Malaysia’s IAEA mission had been instructed to vote in line with the position of the Non-Aligned Movement of developing nations, which has historically opposed Western-driven international actions to isolate Iran, a fellow member of NAM.

Iran denies Western suspicions that it secretly seeks nuclear weapons and NAM has stood up for Iran’s proclaimed right to develop a sovereign civilian nuclear power industry.

When the vote was held, the diplomat said, Arshad was surprised to see NAM members Egypt, Pakistan and South Africa abstain, and India vote “yes”.

Arshad had no time to double-check policy with his capital, and so voted against as originally instructed, the diplomat told Reuters.

The other opposing votes were cast by Cuba and Venezuela, both US foes, unlike Malaysia. All Western board members, joined unusually by Russia and China, voted in favour.

Vienna diplomats said the overwhelming passage of the resolution suggested major developing states were souring on Iran over its nuclear secrecy and defiance of calls to open up to IAEA inspections. — Reuters

Diplomat ke Mesir tingkat hubungan

Berita Harian

KUMPULAN Lapan Negara Islam Membangun (D-8) mencapai kata sepakat untuk menghantar dua diplomat muda dari setiap negara anggota ke Mesir bagi meningkatkan perhubungan dua hala seterusnya mengeratkan kerjasama dalam pelbagai bidang.

Perkara itu antara beberapa hasil dicapai pada mesyuarat Sesi Ke-12 Menteri D-8 yang berlangsung di ibu negara, semalam.

Menteri Luar, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, berkata bagi merealisasikan program pertukaran diplomat itu, Mesir bersetuju menjadi tuan rumah dan ia dijangka dilaksana awal tahun depan.

"Ini satu cadangan baik diutarakan pada mesyuarat hari ini (semalam). Secara asasnya, cadangan ini dilihat memperkukuhkan hubungan negara anggota," katanya pada sesi sidang media bersama Menteri D-8 di sini.

Dalam pada itu, Anifah berkata, wakil anggota D-8 turut berikrar berusaha keras bagi merealisasikan Pelan Tuju D-8 untuk kepentingan bersama.

Ditanya isu tenaga nuklear Iran, Anifah berkata, kumpulan anggota D-8 mengambil ketetapan tidak membincangkan perkara itu dalam mesyuarat berkenaan.

Kementerian Luar Masih Kurang Penjawat Awam Bukan Bumiputera - Lee

IPOH, 2 Okt (Bernama) -- Kementerian Luar menganjurkan pelbagai program dan ceramah mengenai kerjaya di kementerian itu dalam usaha menarik minat orang ramai menyertainya khususnya bukan Bumiputera, kata Timbalan Menterinya Datuk Lee Chee Leong.

Beliau berkata masalah kurang minat di kalangan kaum bukan Bumiputera untuk menyertai sektor awam telah menjejaskan usaha kementerian untuk merapatkan jurang komposisi kaum di kementerian itu.

"Masalah ini berpunca dari kurangnya maklumat mengenai kerjaya di kementerian ini dan mungkin kerana mereka tidak mengetahui cara untuk menyertai kami.

"Oleh itu, kita (kementerian) mengadakan siri ceramah dan berbagai-bagai program untuk menarik minat kaum belia dan pelajar sekolah mengenai kerjaya di kementerian ini," katanya dalam sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan Program Diplomasi Awam kementerian itu di sini Jumaat.

Lee berkata program itu bertujuan menyebarkan maklumat kepada orang ramai mengenai peluang kerjaya dengan kementerian itu yang memberi peluang kepada penjawat awam bertugas di luar negara.

Beliau berkata secara keseluruhannya progam berkenaan bertujuan meyakinkan orang awam untuk menyertai Wisma Putra dalam usahanya meningkatkan imej dan tanggapan yang baik mengenai negara di mata dunia.

"Kepada sesiapa yang berminat menyertai kami diminta melayari laman web di www.kln.gov.my untuk mendapatkan maklumat mengenai tempat dan masa temuduga terbuka diadakan,"katanya.

Selain kelulusan akademik, Lee berkata, calon yang fasih dalam bahasa Inggeris atau mana-mana bahasa lain mempunyai kelebihan untuk diterima menyertai kementerian yang mempunyai pejabat perwakilan di seluruh dunia.

Program Diplomasi Awam itu yang kedua dianjurkan selepas diadakan di Membakut, Sabah pada Ogos lalu yang bertujuan memberikan pemahaman lebih mendalam kepada orang ramai mengenai fungsi dan peranan Wisma Putra.

-- BERNAMA

Wisma Putra Buka Pejabat Cawangan Di Sabah, Sarawak

KOTA KINABALU, 27 Jun (Bernama) -- Wisma Putra akan membuka dua pejabat cawangannya di Sabah dan Sarawak bagi menyediakan khidmat konsul.

Ketika mengumumkan perkara itu hari ini, Menteri Luar Datuk Anifah Aman berkata pejabat di Kota Kinabalu serta Kuching diwujudkan bagi kemudahan penduduk Sabah dan Sarawak yang pada masa ini terpaksa melakukan perjalanan ke Semenanjung Malaysia untuk mendapatkan khidmat Wisma Putra.

Katanya, beliau telah pun memaklumkan kepada kedua-dua Ketua Menteri (Sabah dan Sarawak) mengenai rancangan untuk membuka pejabat cawangan itu dan kedua-dua pemimpin itu gembira dengan perkembangan berkenaan.

Beliau bercakap kepada pemberita selepas menganjurkan jamuan tengah hari bagi raikan 105 diplomat Malaysia yang menghadiri Persidangan Ketua-ketua Perwakilan yang bermula di Kuala Lumpur pada 18 Jun dan berakhir di Kota Kinabalu semalam.

Anifah berkata pejabat cawangan itu akan menghulurkan bantuan kepada pejabat protokol yang berkenaan dalam perkara berkaitan lawatan kenamaan asing ke kedua-dua negeri itu.

Beliau berkata ruang pejabat yang bersesuaian telah pun dikenal pasti untuk penubuhan pejabat cawangan di kedua-dua ibu negeri itu dan di Sabah, pertimbangan dibuat bagi menempatkannya di pejabat pentadbiran persekutuan di Likas.

Kepada soalan mengenai tarikh pelantikan duta Malaysia ke Amerika Syarikat (AS), Anifah berkata kerajaan menjangkakan Washington memberi kelulusan dalam masa tiga hingga empat minggu lagi.

Ditanya sama ada ketiadaan seorang duta menjadi penghalang kepada hubungan dua hala, terutamanya dalam rundingan kedua-dua negara untuk menyerahkan kembali dua rakyat Malaysia yang ditahan di Teluk Guantanamo, Anifah berkata ia bukan satu masalah memandangkan perkara itu telah pun dibincangkan oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan Presiden Barack Obama.

"Saya fikir jika mereka (Amerika Syarikat) menyelesaikan perkara itu, mereka akan memaklumkan kepada kita. Kita akan berhubungan dengan Jabatan Negara (AS) untuk melihat kemajuannya," katanya sambil menambah Malaysia bersedia menerima kedua-dua tahanan itu, dan jika perlu, akan mengadakan siasatan lanjut, atas apa jua dakwaan yang dikenakan.

-- BERNAMA

Kementerian Luar Terima Kritikan Dengan Hati Terbuka

DAMSYIK, 25 Mei (Bernama) -- Menteri Luar Datuk Anifah Aman berkata beliau menerima kritikan terhadap kementerian dan para pegawainya dengan fikiran terbuka kerana kemungkinan ia boleh menjadi satu pengajaran.

Beliau berkata kementerian itu menerima kritikan, komen dan idea yang konstruktif kerana keseluruhan objektifnya adalah bagi meningkatkan imej dan perkhidmatannya.

"Masih ada ruang untuk menjadi bertambah baik. Saya tidak berkata bahawa mereka tidak bagus. Apa yang saya katakan ialah kita mahu membawanya ke tingkat yang lebih baik (ke arah mencapai kecemerlangan).

"Jadi saya akan melihat kepada setiap satu kritikan, dan mungkin ada sesuatu yang boleh kita pelajari daripadanya," katanya kepada Bernama di luar daripada sesi Majlis Menteri-menteri Luar (CFM) Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC) ke-36 yang dihoskan oleh Syria.

Anifah telah diminta mengulas berhubung surat yang dilaporkan oleh sebuah akhbar harian Malaysia berbahasa Inggeris baru-baru ini berhubung apa yang disifatkan sebagai "keadaan yang amat buruk" di kementerian.

Penulis itu mendakwa, antara lain, bahawa banyak pegawai kementerian luar dan duta-duta besar tidak mencapai mutu tertentu.

Anifah berkata: "Kami perlu menerima kritikan itu secara positif. Sekarang, ia mengenai negara kita, ia bukan mengenai kita sebagai individu."

-- BERNAMA

DIPLOMATIC DEALINGS: Reclaiming our image and esteem

NST

WHEN I covered Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's visit to the United Nations in 1993, I was surprised that New York taxi drivers knew his name or were aware that a country called Malaysia existed.

Tun Omar Ong Yoke Lin

Datuk Albert Talalla

Much of that came about because of the former prime minister's international profile as the leader of the South -- asking for no quarter and giving none.

Even as Dr Mahathir took a tough stance on most issues, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had his softer style as foreign minister which worked in tandem with his boss' ways.

Their styles constituted an unbeatable combination that took Malaysia places, taking the nation to the apex of international opinion and influence.

While the two leaders were working their magic on the global arena, there was a corp of dedicated and astute diplomatic officials working behind the scene to deliver the goods.
They were Malaysian ambassadors, a group of people hand-picked to bring glory and honour to the nation.

There were the likes of the jocular Tan Sri Khir Johari, a charmer who could have people eating out of his hands in minutes, the quick-witted Datuk Abdul Majid Mohamed (Malaysian ambassador to Washington in the early 1990s), and quieter but no less interesting Tan Sri Razali Ismail, who was the Malaysian Permanent Representative to the UN.

Together, they had the ears of the people who mattered in Washington and New York, their sophistication in matters of diplomacy added to natural congeniality resulting in a potent mix that few could resist.

They were plenipotentiaries of Malaysia, the likes of whom, I am told, may not be seen for sometime to come.

It, therefore, comes as a shock to know that Malaysia has not had an ambassador in Washington for 10 months and that little headway has been made in bringing Malaysia in touch with the Obama administration (Barack Obama has been in office for 100 days).

Former Malaysian ambassador, Datuk Deva Mohd Ridzam, had call to lament this sad state of affairs recently, calling for the situation to be put right post-haste.

His observation that foreign relations have been little short of lacklustre over the last decade ties in with opinion among several retired diplomats and former civil servants who have decried the loss of a strong foreign policy.

Some of this had to do with the quality of men and women selected to head our missions, what with complaints from some that Malaysian diplomats sometimes preferred to take a backseat at public discussions.

There have also been observations that some diplomats cringed at the thought of interacting with foreigners due to a lack of confidence brought about by a paucity in social skills and lack of fluency in English.

Centre for Public Policy Studies chairman at the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, felt that there was a crying need for better people to get into foreign service.

The former Transport Ministry secretary-general said diplomats needed to be fluent in English, have excellent social skills and be on the ball where knowledge of international relations was required.

Former member of the Malaysian diplomatic corp, Datuk Nelson Arputham, said he was among several recruited into the diplomatic service from other departments in the 1960s.

Arputham said the diplomatic service should recruit only the best minds as was the case after independence.

"We had the likes of Tun Ong Yoke Lin, who was one of the best ambassadors to the US (concurrently United Nations), who is known to have had excellent ties with the US media and administration."

There were others like Tan Sri Ahmad Kamil Jaafar, Datuk Albert Talalla (former ambassador to the US), and Tan Sri Mohamed Khatib Abdul Hamid who headed the mission in Tokyo .

All this leaves new Foreign Minister, Datuk Anifah Aman, with a lot on his plate.

He has to sit down with his officers and review foreign policy initiatives with a view towards making it consistent, effective and helpful to the nation. In the worst of economic times like this, our men and women in missions abroad must shine in identifying opportunities for the nation to exploit.

They can also play an effective role in helping Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Anifah come up with policies that meet the needs of foreign nations in the economic, social and political spheres.

In a nutshell, isn't this, after all, why they are abroad representing the nation?

Anifah has also got to look into Najib's call to Wisma Putra to look outside the diplomatic service for the best minds. The prime minister was crystal clear when he said that the civil service should hire the "best of the best".

Anifah should take the cue to cast his net far and wide. He should then set about raising the stature of the diplomatic service to be on par with the best in the world -- like we were before. He needs to relook things with a critical eye aimed at taking Wisma Putra back to where it was before ennui took over.

It is imperative that the Wisma Putra team (it has to be a joint effort) puts its best foot forward to reclaim lost territory abroad in terms of image and esteem. And what better time than now with a new minister in office?

bmoses@nst.com.my

WISMA PUTRA RANKING: Pick diplomats of highest calibre

NST

IT is interesting to note that Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry) has been ranked the lowest among all government departments ("Works only ministry to get 5-star rating" -- (NST, April 22). It was listed with three stars at No. 15, the lowest, whereas the highest with a five-star rating was the Works Ministry.

Wisma Putra should look into improving its effectiveness at the top. Shouldn't the role of ambassadors be reviewed? Shouldn't the posting of diplomats in prominent world cities like Tokyo, Paris and London be held by eminent persons?

I'm sure there are many capable personalities from the academic, media or corporate sectors with a helicopter view and holistic approach who can make a difference in foreign policy than diplomats who are inward-looking as a result of an inbreeding culture.

I am against politicians being appointed as ambassadors, for obvious reasons.

I think Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would like a new approach in the handling of foreign policy instead of merely taking care of VVIPs and their children overseas. Our diplomats must be competent enough to face the challenges of the new leadership.
The Foreign Ministry's secretary-general must see to it that only the best diplomats are posted abroad. They are our first line of defence and selection should not be based on nepotism and cronyism. The nation's interests must prevail over personal interests.

Pegawai Wisma Putra harus kuasai bahasa utama dunia

Berita Harian

PUTRAJAYA: Menteri Luar, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, semalam meminta semua pegawai Wisma Putra meningkatkan penguasaan dalam pelbagai bahasa utama dunia, terutama Bahasa Inggeris.

Rais yang pernah menjadi Menteri Luar pada 1987 berkata, penguasaan bahasa pelbagai asing akan memberi kelebihan kepada pegawai diplomatik terbabit ketika mengadakan rundingan.

"Negara seperti India, China, Britain dan Amerika Syarikat mempunyai pegawai diplomat yang berkebolehan luar biasa berkaitan penggunaan bahasa antarabangsa dan perundingan.

"Bukan hanya Bahasa Inggeris yang patut kita tekankan, tapi bahasa seperti Mandarin untuk hubungan di Asia," katanya pada sidang media selepas mengadakan mesyuarat pertama dengan pegawai kementerian di Wisma Putra di sini, hari ini.

Hadir sama dalam mesyuarat yang berlangsung lebih dua jam itu ialah Setiausaha Kementerian Luar, Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa.

Rais, berkata beliau juga akan memastikan Wisma Putra terus memainkan peranan penting dalam usaha mengeratkan hubungan diplomatik dan perdagangan dua hala antara Malaysia dengan negara serantau.

Katanya, penekanan khusus akan diberikan kepada usaha meningkat pencapaian hubungan diplomasi Malaysia dengan negara lain.

"Apa yang penting bagi Kementerian Luar ialah mengeratkan hubungan Malaysia dengan Asean terlebih dulu dengan mencari keutamaan terpenting secara diplomasi.

"Oleh kerana Asean mempunyai identiti tersendiri, hubungan kita perlu berlandaskan kepentingan bersama," katanya.

Rais berkata, Wisma Putra juga akan meneliti semula peranan 104 pejabat kedutaan Malaysia di luar negara, terutama di negara Asean, bagi memastikan mereka dapat menterjemahkan dasar luar negara dengan tepat.

"Kita harus memastikan Kementerian Luar, Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri serta Kementerian Pelancongan harus bekerjasama untuk mencapai matlamat bersama untuk memajukan Malaysia," katanya.

When Diplomats behave like rotten UMNO politicians

Malaysia Today
By Al Haqeem SB, Dubai

I am a new Malaysian expatriate in UAE with a high expectation on our diplomatic staff in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. My previous experiences in other countries dealing with embassy and consulate staff are mixed but nothing like in the UAE.

The unfriendly attitude of the staff of Malaysian nationals towards fellow Malaysians is something to be checked with empathy by the Foreign Affairs ministry. It is shocking that as diplomats and being paid by rakyat, they are just behaving like rotten UMNO politicians by classifying Malaysians in UAE as ‘our camp’ and ‘others’.

The current chats on www.malaysian-uae.com show how deep are the chasms between the reclusive diplomats and the other Malaysian expatriates who do not belong to so-called ‘our camp’. Not only those who are assumed as not in ‘our camp’ being ignored as non-persona grata, not invited to their exclusive official makan-makan (funded by government) and but also cannot be seen mixing together in any activities.

Is apartheid still alive and kicking in our own society, even importing “Malaysian negative values’ abroad?

When some of us inquired about the pending return of one senior trade diplomat in Dubai, the information was withheld without any explanation as it was a secret mission. Farewell function was held and invitations as usual were only for those in ‘our camp’.

Some seniors here mentioned that most of the social and sport activities are organized by a group of Malaysian professionals without any contributions by our diplomats, either personal or official capacities. I was also informed that even invited as guests; these diplomats were directed by their almighty boss (ambassador) to keep away from ‘others’ activities.

According to my sources, this boss had the same stigma when he was in previous diplomatic assignment in Africa. He is just too proud of being a diplomat and presumably has his own class that avoids him from being friendly to other fellow Malaysians. He is only nice to people who is ‘higher’ in ranking even though most of times acting as a bag carrier or a tourist guide to these higher ranking officials or businessmen.

On the records, the boss has nothing to show for any positive contributions towards Malaysia-UAE relations. According to a former diplomat, when PM was here visiting in 2005, it was a diplomatic blunder by landing in Dubai, instead of Abu Dhabi as the capital city and more powerful emirate. There was no secret that PM was ignored at federal level due to this error of judgment and it seemed our diplomats were on holidays all this while.

With the ongoing 50 years independence celebration, it is very sad that our diplomats here are still conditioned by Malaysia’s political landscape. For God’s sake, they are diplomats with certain roles, responsibilities and missions to play especially for all Malaysians living and working in UAE and please leave their politic inclinations at home.

One of these diplomats dares to whisper that if they (diplomats) do not take care of ‘Malaysian oppositionists’ here, some rewards are waiting when they return to Malaysia such as job promotions and business deals.

This is ridiculous, moronic, plain dumb and out of this world’s mission.

The best is not only to replace these unworthy servants of rakyat, but also to punish them by sending them to rural areas to serve!