Page 2 - Diplomatic Voice 2014 -3

PROFILE OF PROMINENT PERSON Dr. Sufian Jusoh Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa Distinguished Fellow of IDFR Former Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia mies in ASEAN. Therefore, Malaysia should encourage ASEAN Member States who are ready and are high in the AEC scorecard to move forward to lead the realisation of the AEC, and at the same time, to continue assisting those Member States that require longer time to comply with their commitments. Thus, ASEAN will be able to achieve the AEC in 2015, albeit with at least two-speed implementa- tion. Nevertheless, Malaysia needs to lead the compliance and reform process in the newer ASEAN Member States. Malaysia needs to coordinate with other more developed ASEAN Member States, international organi- sations such as the Asian Develop- Q: Economic diplomacy utilises the full a top-down approach. It may also use ment Bank and the World Bank Group, spectrum of the economic tools of the a bottom-up approach but a top-down and donor countries to assist these state to achieve its national interest. approach would be more effective. In Member States. Malaysia may also Based on your thoughts, how can this sense, the Government needs to galvanise its own experts – we have Malaysian diplomats play their role in have a clearer approach in the utilisa- many experts in Malaysia such as ensuring the effectiveness of econo- tion of economic diplomacy as part of those at the universities and retired mic diplomacy in the best interest of the foreign policy or in achieving diplomats and officials who may be Malaysia? foreign policy objectives. At the appointed in different roles to assist moment, from my observation, Malay- those Member States who require A: Economic diplomacy has been sia requires a more active rather than support. used as a tool to achieve national passive approach and we still need to objectives and national interests by play catch-up compared to our neigh- Q: In facing globalisation, what are many countries, both by major coun- bours. My main worry is that we may your thoughts on strategies that tries and emerging powers. In the not be able to be effective if we conti- Malaysia should practise in streng- region, we can see the greater utilisa- nue with our fragmented approach. thening its economic standing? tion of economic diplomacy by China, India, Korea and Japan and of late by Q: In your opinion, how should Malay- A: This is a very broad and difficult our closest neighbour, Singapore. sia play its role in meeting the objec- question to answer. First, we have to Economic diplomacy basically in- tives of the ASEAN Economic Com- realise that we are a country of only 30 volves promotion of national econo- munity (AEC) Blueprint? million people with natural resources mic interest and the utilisation of one’s but with limited internal market. economic advantage to promote one’s A: Malaysia is one of the leading eco- Second, we are also one of the more interests. nomies in ASEAN and is going to be developed countries in ASEAN but the Chairman of ASEAN in 2015, unfortunately facing the middle In the case of Malaysia, we have the which is an important and historic year income trap whilst our peers and advantage of being one of the most for ASEAN. AEC Blueprint is a very neighbours are moving fast, faster developed ASEAN Member States comprehensive blueprint involving ten than us. and a leading OIC member country. countries with at least four different We are also very active in bilateral and economic developments. At one My thoughts on this are: multilateral economic forums. spectrum, you have Singapore and at another spectrum, you have Myanmar, a. We have to pursue efficiency-seek- Malaysian diplomats can only play which is at the early stage of economic ing and export-seeking Foreign Direct their role in promoting economic liberalisation. Malaysia has to be able Investments (FDI). In this sense, we diplomacy if there is clear policy to play the role of a leader. Malaysia have been quite successful in promo- guidance from the Government. has to be able to ascertain the ting our country as FDI destination but Economic diplomacy requires more of multi-speed nature of different econo- as I was quoted by the media earlier, 2 bulletin@idfr.gov.my