FACES MAGAZINE - TIMES OF OMAN

A DIPLOMATIC INTERLUDE

H.E. Dato’ Rustam Yahaya, Ambassador of Malayasia and Datin Dr. Musrifah Sapardi share a beautiful connection with Oman that has, in a short span of time, provided them a platform, beyond diplomatic grounds, to establish long standing relations with locals and feel one with the country’s serene bounty.

A diplomat in a fish market defies stereotypes most of us have of the lives of ambassadors, in Oman or elsewhere, but that is where H.E. Rustam Yahaya is on weekends.

“You will be surprised,” he says, as he broaches upon his favourite topic, “how much I love the fish market… In every country that I have been posted to, I have become a frequent visitor to its fish market. Here, in Oman, I go to the Muttrah fish market or the Seeb market to see the fresh fare. I wish I could buy all of them; I prefer to cut and clean the fish myself and even cook it. It may sound weird but I just love doing it, especially when the family enjoys it. It is satisfying.”

Dressed casually in his jeans and a tee, his diplomatic status is hidden from the fishermen and the weekend fish market visit turns into a relaxing event for him.

This fascination for the fish market stretches back to his early student years, when he was keen to become a chef. “But my teacher had different ideas,” he says, reminiscing the early days when it was decided that he would study Landscape Architecture on the government scholarship he earned to go to the Leeds Polytechnics (now Metropolitan University). His results though were good and the teachers were justified in selecting the subject. This was followed with a Diploma in Public Administration and Town Planning; although the subjects were not inclined for a diplomatic tenure, he developed an interest and utilised the opportunities presented. His family reciprocated his feelings and there was a sense of acceptance and contentment.

The only drawback, if it ever could be called that, has been the long distance from home country and the countries of posting, which has meant absence from family for extended periods. The Rustam’s have three children – eldest son is doing his Ph D in engineering, second son just graduated in automotive design and the youngest daughter is currently doing her internship at the Hotel InterContinental Muscat. “She will be here for five months… As you know, daughters are closer to their fathers,” he says cheerily.

H.E. Rustam Yahaya and his wife Dr. Musrifah Sapardi, who arrived in Oman last May, feel at home in Oman. Having travelled the world over during the diplomatic missions – the last posting was in London, which was preceded by Myanmar – and having visited some of the weirdest places (like the Golden Triangle in Myanmar) they are better placed to compare notes and give Oman a thumping yes, especially when it comes to living life to the fullest in an ambience that is meant to cultivate a sense of belongingness to the society and peace and relaxation (GCC is not new to them as his first posting was to Kuwait). “Life is good here,” he emphasises.

Their only lament though is that there are no dedicated Malaysian restaurants here. However, this very fact induced Datin Dr. Musrifah Sapardi to finally get an initiation into cooking. “I am lucky,” she says as her husband had a liking for cooking and took it up with passion. “But when we arrived in Oman I tried cooking for the very first time and it was fine,” she adds. As a rejoinder to that, the Ambassador says, “We have been married for over twenty years and in these years she would have cooked for me for about 16 times - from boiled eggs to fried eggs; you can’t go wrong with eggs… I am not complaining though,” he quips.

Datin Dr. Musrifah, who has an impressive academic background - having studied law and later taking up the deanship of the law faculty in Malaysia – had the option of following her husband in his diplomatic mission, but took a chance during his Kuwait tenure to complete her PhD and, thereafter, decided to join him when he was posted to Myanmar. She utilised her time there and published a book titled ‘Myanmar – Seeing is Believing’ about her experience in the country; it was the first book written by a diplomat’s wife.

She has no regrets being a ‘highly educated housewife’, as the Ambassador pleasantly refers to her. “I believe family comes first… We can’t have everything and must make the best of whatever we have,” is her advice.

Reiterating her beliefs, H.E. Rustam Yahaya says, “Time is there if you know how to use it. If you lower your expectations to the lowest possible denominator, every little thing becomes enjoyable. We lowered our expectations while at Myanmar and enjoyed all our time there, making lots of friends.

Here, in Oman, she has taken on social responsibilities as Coordinator for Asia-Africa and Treasurer of Ambassadors’ Wives Group and the head of the Malaysian Ladies Association, which is an active group of 40 members who meet every month for a variety of activities. They have also formed an association dedicated to ASEAN women, titled ASEAN Ladies Circle, which is a group of ladies from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei. “This keeps me busy,” she says.

Life is, indeed, good here, states the Ambassador. “One thing we cherish here is the time for everything and for people too.” He relies on his reading and golfing habits for relaxation. According to him, golf is a sport that helps to establish contacts with prominent members of the society. “It also gives me the exercise I need; it also releases tension, especially when you hit the ball hard… I used to play football in my younger days, but age is catching up and the choice is getting restricted,” he muses.
Besides, he also has to make time for about 750 Malaysian residents in the country, who are often invited to meet up at their residence for social gatherings as well as strengthening ties.
As a parting shot, he says, “Sometimes doing good is not enough, you have to be seen doing good.”