ID :
35258
Fri, 12/12/2008 - 14:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/35258
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIA'S STAND AS A MODERN OPEN DEMOCRACY ALLOWS GROWTH
KOTA KINABALU, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's international standing as a modern open democracy has enabled the country to grow from strength to strength in all spheres, in tandem with its strong and close economic, political and social ties with countries the world over.
Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri said the country's pragmatic
and farsighted foreign policy initiatives had directly benefited the country
tangibly in terms of investment and trade links, social and educational links
and tourist arrivals.
They have also intangibly contributed in terms of the goodwill and respect
garnered over Malaysia's views and positions taken on global issues of concern
to the international community, he said when opening the Information
Dissemination and Public Diplomacy programme here today.
"The Malaysian missions abroad actively undertake programmes to promote
Malaysia and foster good relations and a better understanding among the people
of the country where they are located.
"Such programmes are all the more relevant and vital in today's globalised
world where technological and communication advances offer free flow of and
access to information, and inevitably, misconceptions, distortions and outright
falsehoods about the country will be transmitted.
"What is important is not to allow important national issues that
relate to
Malaysia's foreign policy to get skewed so as to impinge negatively on the
country's image and standing," he added.
Looking at the domestic scene, information dissemination and public
diplomacy programmes like the one launched today would thus help enhance the
profile of the ministry among the eyes of Malaysians, he said.
He reiterated the need for more Sabahans to join as officers of the
Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service (PTD), saying that lack of
exposure may be one of the reasons for the low participation, which he hoped to
overcome with more programmes like today's.
There were only four full-fledged diplomats from Sabah out of about 400
under the ministry, while the number was a bit higher from Sarawak but
participation from both states needed to be increased overall, he said.
It is understood that the PTD makes up the core service under the ministry
with about 99 per cent of the officers, and currently there are98 PTD vacancies.
Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri said the country's pragmatic
and farsighted foreign policy initiatives had directly benefited the country
tangibly in terms of investment and trade links, social and educational links
and tourist arrivals.
They have also intangibly contributed in terms of the goodwill and respect
garnered over Malaysia's views and positions taken on global issues of concern
to the international community, he said when opening the Information
Dissemination and Public Diplomacy programme here today.
"The Malaysian missions abroad actively undertake programmes to promote
Malaysia and foster good relations and a better understanding among the people
of the country where they are located.
"Such programmes are all the more relevant and vital in today's globalised
world where technological and communication advances offer free flow of and
access to information, and inevitably, misconceptions, distortions and outright
falsehoods about the country will be transmitted.
"What is important is not to allow important national issues that
relate to
Malaysia's foreign policy to get skewed so as to impinge negatively on the
country's image and standing," he added.
Looking at the domestic scene, information dissemination and public
diplomacy programmes like the one launched today would thus help enhance the
profile of the ministry among the eyes of Malaysians, he said.
He reiterated the need for more Sabahans to join as officers of the
Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service (PTD), saying that lack of
exposure may be one of the reasons for the low participation, which he hoped to
overcome with more programmes like today's.
There were only four full-fledged diplomats from Sabah out of about 400
under the ministry, while the number was a bit higher from Sarawak but
participation from both states needed to be increased overall, he said.
It is understood that the PTD makes up the core service under the ministry
with about 99 per cent of the officers, and currently there are98 PTD vacancies.
