Malaysia Needs To Strengthen Its Public Diplomacy Programmes

By Salmy Hashim

WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs to strengthen its information and public diplomacy programmes overseas to reposition the country as a robust and forward-looking nation, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said here Tuesday.

Malaysian embassies and missions should cultivate "Friends of Malaysia" from among leaders, journalists and businessmen to inform them of the latest business opportunities and of the country's national development, he said.

Malaysia and the United States, for instance, should build a stronger rapport through official visits by leaders in Congress to better understand Malaysia, and through bilateral discussions and workshops, he told Bernama at the Malaysian Embassy here before departing for New York.

Earlier Rais chaired a meeting with 13 heads of missions assigned to the Americas that include the United States, Canada, and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Rais said he was aware of the difficulties faced by embassies to create such programmes due to financial and administrative constraints.

Malaysia is currently in the spotlight over the power struggle between the ruling Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat.

The West, including the United States, had sometimes issued caustic remarks over recent political developments in Malaysia.

Rais said, "Our embassy officials should immediately and appropriately respond to these antagonistic remarks to safeguard Malaysia's image abroad without having to seek clearance from Wisma Putra in Kuala Lumpur."

-- BERNAMA