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35 Focus in Continuity: A Framework for Malaysia's Foreign
Policy in a Post-Pandemic World - A Monograph
administrator with expertise in British and political stability despite the
Malaya, Richard Olaf Winsteadt (more demographic heterogeneity. This is unique
commonly known as R.O. Winsteadt). as not many culturally diverse countries
Unfortunately, the e ort was not sustained are able to do it as successfully as
and therefore Malaysia needs to look back Malaysia. As such, instead of looking up to
upon its foreign policy and understand that other countries as models, Malaysia has to
so many of our cultural resources can be start acknowledging itself as a model for
benefitted to be our cultural diplomacy others. In agreement with Prof Osman, Dr
initiatives. Asma suggested focusing on the
commonality across cultures, races and
Cultural Diplomacy in Digital Era religions. It may not be an easy task and
a lot more research needs to be
Prof Osman reiterated that Malaysia done but it will be worth the e ort.
should be proud that it is one of the Malaysia also needs to highlight its
most digitalised countries. It is a great intercultural competence – intercultural
achievement that Putrajaya is a modern display of understanding, cooperation and
capital city that applies e-governance. The collaboration, which is not uncommon in
IDFR and Ministry of Foreign A airs need Malaysia. She cited Ramli Ibrahim, a
to embrace digital technology as it o ers Malay who championed Indian classical
abundant possibilities for enhancing dance as an example.
cultural diplomacy. Mr Eddin however,
warned against misinformation that comes Mr Eddin recapped that cultural
with digital technology. As such, technical diplomacy is an important aspect of
skills and a strong knowledge base are foreign policy and the Ministry needs to
needed to employ digital technology to benefit from Malaysia’s intercultural
our advantage. In agreement with them, Dr understanding and its organic culture.
Asma added that technology is a new tool Malaysians are beyond the perception of
that will benefit cultural diplomacy ‘my culture versus your culture’, for
initiatives if mastered well. She gave the instance, the Malay language is not only
example of publicizing and demonstrating spoken by the Malays and Malay culture is
the method of wearing sarong through a not only practiced by the Malays. Many
virtual platform. The pandemic has also Malaysians are trilingual and subscribe to
proven that there are many initiatives that multicultural practices. Indeed, this is
can be done as they are museums among the things that need to be
conducting virtual tours and promoting highlighted in the international arena.
paintings virtually.
Dr Najwa Abd Ghafar is Principal
Recommendations on Cultural Assistant Director at the Centre for
Diplomacy Political Studies and Economic
Diplomacy, Institute of Diplomacy and
The panelists unanimously agreed that Foreign Relations (IDFR).
there is a lot more to be done on initiatives
for cultural diplomacy. Prof Osman viewed
that Malaysia has to be more aggressive in
showcasing its achievements. One of them
is the achievement of maintaining social