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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

The year 2021 is a special year for IDFR as the on 3 December 2021 to signal the completion of the
Institution celebrates her 30th anniversary. Through programme.
close collaboration among IDFR officers and staff,
various programmes were designed and successfully The main highlight of all the programmes and events at
organised even within the new norm ecosystem. this Institution for the year was the IDFR Royal Address
2021, organised on 18 November 2021. In this event, His
In total, IDFR managed to host and organise 58 Royal Highness Sultan Dr Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni
programmes – 36 virtual, 13 physical and nine in a Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-
hybrid fashion. We saw a total of 3,191 participants Lah, the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan and Royal Patron
from various disciplines involved, be they diplomats, of IDFR, delivered a Royal Address titled “Shaping A
government officials, embassies, members of the New Generation of Diplomats”. The address was held in
ladies’ association, academia, as well as students of a hybrid fashion and will no doubt set the stage for the
International Relations. The Institution also managed years to come.
to record a total of 22 publications that have been
produced which include analytical papers related to I would like to seize this opportunity to extend my
key issues in and outside the country, research papers, sincerest gratitude to His Royal Highness Sultan Dr
newsletters and the Journal of Diplomacy and Foreign Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan
Relations (JDFR). Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah, the Sultan of Perak
Darul Ridzuan for His Royal Highness’ patronage,
All programmes are a combination of activities wisdom, support and time. I would not be able to do
organised by the four learning centres in IDFR, namely all that needed to be done without the support and
the Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy continued advice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato’
(PSED), Centre for Leadership, Negotiation and Public Sri Saifuddin Abdullah and the quiet urging of the Deputy
Diplomacy (LNPD), Centre for Languages and Cultural Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Kamarudin Jaffar. My
Diplomacy (CLCD) and Competency Enhancement Centre deepest appreciation to the Secretary-General of the
(CEC), with support from the Management and Services Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul
Division (MSD). Ikram Yaakob, for entrusting me with IDFR, and to all
mentors, advisors and seniors who have lent a helping
In conjunction with its 30th anniversary, IDFR hand or provided constructive comments to IDFR’s many
successfully held the inaugural IDFR-Albukhary Book programmes and activities.
Award 2021, and The Most Outstanding International
Relations Book was awarded to Tan Sri Abdul Kadir It goes without saying that the Institute would not be
Mohamad for his book titled Malaysia-Singapore Fifty where it is without the officers and staff, whose endless
Years of Contentions 1965-2015. The book was one of dedication, commitment, cooperation and hard work in
80 books considered by the Book Award Committee. conducting all programmes have been the backbone of
the Institute.
This past year, the Diploma in Diplomacy (DiD)
programme was organised in two cohorts: from 2
November 2020 to 7 May 2021 with 21 participants, DATO’ DR SHAZELINA ZAINUL ABIDIN
and from 1 June 2021 to 2 December 2021 with 22
participants. A combined graduation ceremony was held

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2021 ANNUAL REPORT 2021 ANNUAL REPORT