Page 15 - MDOS2_Final

ON HIS MAJESTY’S SERVICE

I had a short stint at IDFR where Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, the Secretary
General of the Ministry then, tasked me to develop a six-month Foreign
Service Programme. T e Diploma in Diplomacy programme was opened
to of cers from Wisma Putra and other ministries and Government
departments.

Apart from classroom lectures, IDFR introduced for the f rst time a climb
up the majestic Mount Kinabalu. T e experience was not only a test of
physical and mental endurance but also leadership. T e bond of camaraderie
among the of cers was strengthened as they helped each other to reach the
top safely. Watching the spectacular sunrise at the summit of the highest
mountain in Southeast Asia gave a sense of accomplishment and wonder at
the manifestation of God’s creation and beauty.

IDFR was then tasked to organise the Wisma Putra International Charity
Bazaar 2011 from 16 to 17 April 2011 to raise funds for the Ministry’s Ladies’
Association (PERWAKILAN). Datin Sri Siti Rubiah Datuk Abdul Samad,
the spouse of the Foreign Minister then, of ciated the Opening Ceremony.
We succeeded in raising, if my memory serves me right, approximately
RM65, 000 for the association cof er. Several embassies, universities, schools,
and companies participated in the bazaar. T ere were cultural performances
by the embassies and the schools, and food fairs and stalls selling a variety
of goods. I will never forget the tireless ef orts by the staf of IDFR who put
their hearts and souls into organising such an event.

In a cloak-and dagger mission in early 2000, Malaysia def ed U.S unilaterally
“no-f y zone” sanction in Iraq and f ew a MAS 747 to Baghdad with Tan
Sri Syed Hamid Albar and Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, the Foreign
Minister and the Secretary General respectively then, and 300 passengers
including me as entourage. T ere were some drama when permission was
not granted at the last minute by a friendly Muslim country to f y over the
country’s airspace and we were told to detour. We were escorted by f ghter
jets out of their airspace but f nally reached Baghdad safely. Tan Sri Syed
Hamid and Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi were given the honour to call on President
Saddam Hussein.

As a junior of cer, I was also an eyewitness to Aung San Suu Kyi winning

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