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INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN RELATIONS
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MALAYSIA

Foreign Policy Course: Synergy in the Global Frontier via
Zoom from 12 to 13 August 2021. 18 participants who International Negotiation Course for Mid-Level
attended the course were among media practitioners Officers 2021
from the New Straits Times, Alhijrah, Malaysian National
News Agency, Suara Sarawak, New Sarawak Tribune, Negotiation requires the ability to meet challenges and
Astro Awani, members of the academics from Universiti deal with the unknown. Skilled negotiators know how
Sains Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and to analyse each situation, set up negotiations in ways
Malaysian government officers from Prime Minister’s that are advantageous for their side, cope with cultural
Department. differences, and manage the negotiation process to
reach a deal. They also know how to provide value in
This two-day course was specially designed to provide the negotiation process and how to find the quickest
exposure on foreign policy and issues especially to way for a win-win agreement.
local media practitioners in the preparation of reporting
on current affairs relating to international matters and In accordance with this, IDFR successfully organised
diplomacy. The participants were exposed to modules Negotiation Course for Mid-Level Officers held online
such as Introduction to Malaysia’s Foreign Policy, from 24 to 26 August 2021. The course is intended for
ASEAN-Malaysia Relations: Contemporary Issues, Malaysian diplomats as well as Malaysian government
Bilateral Relations: Issues and Challenges, Multilateral officials at the mid-career level of Grade 48 to 52, who
Relations: Issues and Challenges, Maritime Issues in are involved in negotiations in formal and informal
Malaysia, Islamophobia; and Consular Matters. These settings with the government and non-government
lectures were delivered by the Ministry of Foreign actors, both locally and internationally.
Affairs officials, namely Mr Nazarudin Ja’afar of the
Department of Policy Planning and Coordination, Mr A total 39 participants who attended the course were
Mohd Suhaimi Ahmad Tajuddin of the ASEAN-Malaysia officers from various ministries, departments, and
National Secretariat (AMNS), Dato’ Mohd. Khalid Abbasi agencies of the Malaysian government. They were
Abdul Razak Khan Abbasi of the Department of Bilateral from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Audit
Affairs, Ms Murni Abdul Hamid of the Human Rights Department, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher
and Humanitarian Division, Mr Shahrudin Onn of the Education, Malaysia External Trade Development
Department of Maritime Affairs, Ms Farlina Said of ISIS Corporation, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Ministry of
Malaysia; and Mr Saravana Kumar of the Consular Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Ministry of
Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ministry of International Trade
and Industry, Ministry of Transport, Malaysian Timber
The opening remark was delivered by the Chairman of Industry Board, and Majlis Amanah Rakyat.
MPI, Datuk Dr Chamil Wariya who himself participated
in the entire sessions throughout this course. During the This course was designed to enhance participants’
closing ceremony, the Director-General of IDFR, Dato’ understanding of steps and approaches towards
Mohd Zamruni Khalid expressed his highest gratitude effective negotiation to gain favourable outcomes,
to the Chairman of MPI for the IDFR-MPI partnership as equip participants with the skills to successfully
well as his best compliment to all participants for their prepare, undertake, and conclude negotiations in formal
commitment throughout the course. and informal settings with the government and non-
government actors, both locally and internationally, and
strengthen participants’ negotiation skills so that they

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2021 ANNUAL REPORT 2021 ANNUAL REPORT