The Centre for Leadership, Negotiation and Public Diplomacy (LNPD) of IDFR successfully hosted the first SPKM series for year 2020: the Pre-Posting Orientation Course for Home-Based Staff and Spouses - 1/2020 from 21 to 30 September 2020 at Perdana Hall, MATRADE Kuala Lumpur. This course was specially designed for officers (Grade 41 and above) and their spouses to boost and develop their diplomatic, administrative, and social etiquette skills as well as to enhance their knowledge in international diplomatic practices applicable in their future postings.
This course was attended by 63 participants, comprised of 37 government officers and 26 spouses. The officers were from 12 different ministries and agencies/departments namely from the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Tourism Malaysia, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN), the National Trust Council (MARA), the Public Service Department (JPA), and Yayasan Islam Negeri Kedah.
The course aimed at preparing the participants on administrative and management matters related to their roles and duties when they are assigned at Malaysian Missions abroad. Among the modules designated for them were lectures on Malaysia’s Foreign Policy; Cross Cultural Awareness; Grooming and Social Etiquette; Fine-Dining; Protocol and Consular Works at Mission; Auditing and Finance Matters; as well as General Administrative and Asset Management at Mission. The participants also benefited the briefings on Enhancing Personal Security, Counter Terrorism 101 and Counter Espionage delivered by the Special Branch Division, Royal Malaysian Police, the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism (SEARCCT), and the Research Division, Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), respectively.
YBhg. Datin Sri Izdina Izaidin, president of the MOFA’s Ladies Association and also wife to the Secretary General of MFA, also attended and shared her personal experience on the roles of Spouses at Missions abroad. Throughout the eight days course, IDFR believes all of the officers will be very much equipped and prepared to be deployed at the Malaysian Missions abroad. YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Zamruni Khalid, Director General of IDFR delivered his closing remarks and presented the certificates to the participants during the closing ceremony on the last day of the course.
Prepared by:
Centre for Leadership, Negotiation and Public Diplomacy (LNPD)
