Kuala Lumpur, 17 January 2024 – The Philippine Embassy, led by Ambassador-Designate H.E. Maria Angela Ponce, joined the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations’ introductory course on “Malaysia Culture and Identity,” held on 10 to 11 January 2024.

 

The course, tailored for newly-arrived diplomats, offered a comprehensive introduction to Malaysia’s foreign policy, government structure as well as its culture, lifestyle, and social practices. Participants also visited the headquarters of BERNAMA, the Malaysian News Agency, where they were given an overview of the agency’s international news and digital media operations. The course also provided networking opportunities for the participants, which included diplomats from Afghanistan, India, Ireland, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Türkiye, United Republic of Tanzania, UNICEF, Republic Oriental of Uruguay and Republic of Zambia.

 

In his welcome remarks, IDFR Director General Dato’ Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman said that, “This course is meant to quickly bring diplomats up to speed on diplomatic life in Malaysia.”

 

Lecturers included MFA Chief of Protocol YBhg. Datuk Mohd Aini Bin Atan, who covered Honorifics in Malaysia, MFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Economics Diplomacy Mr. R. Suresh Kumar who discussed Working in Malaysia and MFA Director General for Policy and Strategic Planning YBgh. Dato Shariffah Norhana Syed Mustaffa, who spoke on Wisma Putra and Malaysia’s Diplomacy.

 

As the training arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the IDFR organizes workshops and seminars for Malaysian government officials and foreign diplomats on politics, economic diplomacy, leadership, negotiation, public diplomacy, languages and cultural diplomacy. END

 

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Embassy of the Philippines (Attention: Information Section)

1 Jalan Changkat Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur 50450 Malaysia

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel No. +603 2148 4233

Fax No. +603 2148 3576