Page 49 - IDFR_AR_2021

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

Fifty Years of Contentions 1965-2015. Firstly, in the
IDFR-Albukhary Book Award 2021 context of Malaysia’s bilateral relations with other
countries, he felt that the strategic, economic, and
IDFR successfully organised IDFR-Albukhary Book other issues that exist between Malaysia and Singapore
Award 2021 on 9 December 2021, as one of the events would remain among the most important to be dealt
to commemorate its 30th years anniversary. The with long into the future. Additionally, he wished to
award ceremony was held to celebrate and recognise demonstrate that complex stories can indeed be told
Malaysian authors and writers for their publications on in simple language. In his speech, Tan Sri Abdul Kadir
the topics of diplomacy and international relations. Apart expressed his hope that the book will be able to help
from that, this book award also aimed to inspire these officers of the ministry to embark on their own journey
authors and writers to continue producing high-quality as a writer of their career and experience as a diplomat.
books on diplomacy and international relations.
Shortly after the book signing ceremony, Tan Sri Abdul
In his opening speech, the Honourable Dato’ Saifuddin Kadir personally granted a signed copy to the Minister
Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and 50 copies to IDFR. This hybrid mode event was
congratulated IDFR for organising the first IDFR Book attended by 60 guests – the officials of the Ministry of
Award and expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Foreign Affairs, Albukhary Foundation representatives,
Tan Sri Sayed Mokhtar Albukhary for his profound IDFR’s Distinguished Panels, members of the media and
act of kindness. He went on to highlight that the 52 online guests. The recording of Tan Sri Abdul Kadir’s
basis of becoming world-class diplomat is by having interview can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/
specialisation, accreditation, and sharing of certain watch?v=nuFPTzggkSo
areas of knowledge as well as acknowledging the
implications of having such knowledge. The Minister
then quoted Prof. Sayed Najib Alattas, “knowledge is
the arrival of meaning that comes from information
that is true and beneficial” and highlighted the three
pillars of knowledge culture: 1) recognition, selection,
and appointment of knowledgeable people to certain
positions of significance; 2) the continuous pursuit and
3) sharing of knowledge.

The ceremony resumed with the presentation of the
Outstanding International Relations Book Award 2021
by the Minister. Upon receiving this award, the author
and winner Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Mohamad stated his two
main reasons for writing his book Malaysia-Singapore

48 49
2021 ANNUAL REPORT 2021 ANNUAL REPORT