Page 13 - Diplomatic Voice 2014 -3

FORUM NEWS Malaysia, Stockholm and his wife ling of the incident both at home in The couple was placed in separate have indeed been taken by the police. Malaysia and at the Embassy in prison areas in Sweden. The Embassy No other details were provided and Stockholm. continued to provide assistance and with much persuasion for information, support by arranging regular consular the official informed that they do not Moving forward nine months later, the visits. On 9 July 2014, the HOC and have details of where the couple were Embassy tried its utmost best to Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia taken, which police station and for resolve the matter at first instance by Stockholm went to Anstalten Vastervik what offence. meeting the Foreign Ministry’s senior Norra (prison) for the release of the officials for the release of the director director after completing two-thirds of The Embassy proceeded to call its and his wife. The response was that his sentence period. He flew back to contact person at the Ministry for there is clear line of authority by each Malaysia on 14 July 2014 and was Foreign Affairs, Sweden; both the Pro- government agency and therefore, it reunited with his children. The direc- tocol Officer and Desk Officer at the cannot interfere on the matter and that tor’s wife was released on 29 Septem- Department of Asia and the Pacific. due process of law need to be ad- ber 2014, after also completing hered. The Embassy performed ac- two-thirds of her sentence period. She The close relations between the Em- tions with much professionalism and returned to Malaysia on 30 September bassy and the Foreign Ministry proved zeal with relentless initiatives and 2014 and was reunited with her to be of great asset to the Embassy in ideas to best handle the situation. children and husband. enabling collection of information and Simultaneously, the dealings of requesting assistance to better com- Embassy’s diplomats need to be with This unfortunate incident is the first of prehend the matter at hand. The Fo- tact, prudence and much care in its kind and without precedence. The reign Ministry’s officials, since that first regards to the delicateness of the Embassy and Wisma Putra have to day, have been assisting and provid- matter. The priority was for the couple’s always make each action work and ing advice to the Embassy, even be- four children between the ages of 7 to that it has to be the correct action to yond their normal call of duty including 14 years to safely return to Malaysia, be taken at all times or risk jeopardi- during Christmas season, weekends, followed by their parents. zing the whole planning or the next New Year and after office hours. course of action. There are numerous The government’s special mission to lessons to be learned from this As the incident developed, Malaysians Stockholm, led by the Deputy Foreign incident. Firstly, never underestimate at home began to demonstrate anxie- Minister bore fruit when he succeeded the dynamism of culture; the under- ties and soon, the couple became one in bringing the children back home to standing that elements of nature and of the nation’s top stories. Malaysia, lauded by many as a diplo- nurture may collide; the recognition of matic success. However, the main diplomatic status for officers of the At the Embassy, a situation room hurdle was yet to come, which proved Government of Malaysia posted came to existence for daily briefings, to be of much anguish and steadfast- abroad need to be determined and attention for actions and daily report- ness for both the director and his wife accorded as a general rule; compre- ing to Wisma Putra. Being headline to undergo 11 days of trial which hension and assimilation of Malaysian news means that the Embassy need to commenced on 18 February 2014 and diplomats or officials and family mem- always show and prove credence to ended on 14 March 2014. The verdict bers posted abroad to any given actions taken and on the importance released on 28 March 2014 was that country takes time and require much of public diplomacy. the director was sentenced to ten resolve and tolerance; and the basic months’ jail and his wife to 1 year and rule that all officials posted abroad There was already an established 2 months (14 months) for the crime of including their family members need clear line of communication whereby ‘gross violation of integrity’. to always portray the good image of at the height of the incident, from 18 Malaysia to the host country and the December 2013 to 28 March 2014, The appointment of a watching brief world. The close cooperation and reports were sent to the Consular lawyer provided insight and better un- prompt communications among all Department at Wisma Putra on a daily derstanding of the legal process and those involved in handling and solving basis, which functioned as coordina- trials that took place. Reports were this incident are commendable, from tor for Malaysia’s response, advice for submitted to the Consular Department the leadership of His Excellency further actions by the Embassy and for each trail day which are crucial for Ambassador to all the diplomats and disseminating information to the prompt and accurate account of event members of the Embassy. The relevant agencies and the Head of during the trial. Malaysian reporters incident also brought to light the need Government. also covered the trial days and much for new approaches in the training of enthusiasm and show of solidarity by diplomats, officials of other govern- This clear line of communication and fellow Malaysians in Sweden to the ment agencies and family members to control proved effective to the hand- couple grew by day. be posted abroad to include new continued on page 30 DIPLOMATIC VOICE 13