Most Malaysian Diplomacy Officials Lack PR Skills, Too Shy
KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- Forget about learning a foreign language. Or, even making Malaysia stand out.
Most of our diplomacy officials attached overseas not only lack skills in public relations, but are also too shy when meeting with officials from other countries.
This assessment comes from none other than Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) executive chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam.
He said, lack of fluency in English was also one of the factors that had hampered Malaysian officials from communicating effectively with their foreign counterparts on policies and matters important to the country.
"Our diplomacy officials, whether from the foreign ministry or other ministries, most of them are too shy to speak up or making presentations, especially at the multilateral diplomacy, and their level of English has dropped," he told reporters at IDFR's media briefing on Monday.
Hasmy has been a career diplomat and served as ambassador in many countries, including France and Libya, as well as Malaysia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Permanent Mission of Malaysia in New York from 1998 to 2003, before he retired and assumed his current post at IDFR in 2007.
He noted that diplomats in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and even China, were aggressively polishing up their English, as it was still considered the top most diplomacy language worldwide.
"I think this needs to be addressed, because if not, it is our country that will be losing out," said Hasmy.
He added, in view of that, IDFR planned to conduct a comprehensive programme to train government officials scheduled to be posted overseas, in areas such as public speaking, public relations, cultures and confidence level.
"We plan to have such courses for our officials...at least, it helps to boost their self-confidence and allow them to function more effectively abroad," he added.
The people's representatives should have no problems when meeting officials from foreign countries, they should put in efforts to improve themselves.
BalasPadamI am thinking myself, how did Japan did well even Japanese have no English at all in conversation... But i am not denying that small country like Malaysia we need to learn fluently speaking in English language....So better start now, you never know maybe you are the next candidate who will meeting up with foreigners..
BalasPadamMy English also not good but i am on my way to make it better...Still learn and learn...never give up!!!
BalasPadamit seems that our diplomatic officials still lack with a proper soft skills such as presentation skill, English business language, public relations, other countries cultures and many more...this is a shame to Malaysia..as a diplomatic officials, they should have all the required skills...however, it's still not too late...the lifelong learning concept is the answer..IDFR now is going to conduct a comprehensive programme to train all the officials to enhance their self-confident so that will allow them to function more effectively..good efforts from IDFR and i think all the govt department must do the same things to enhance the capability among officials...
BalasPadamThese officials not only represented our people, they represented the country, it is a requirement for them to have decent social abilities.
BalasPadamHope that these officials will get proper training so that they will not shamed the country.
BalasPadamThey still have a lot to learn. Ministers, Diplomats and also diplomacy officials should be able to compose themselves right before whenever they meet foreigner officials. They should undergo for training or programmes for example, public speaking and stuffs because they are representing the Govt and the People. I hope they learn and buck up.
BalasPadamUndergo proper training, improve their English and build-up their confidence and throw away their fears and shyness. That should do it and that has to be done under comprehensive training programme.
BalasPadamstill we can improve the weaknesses among our diplomatic officials...IDFR already planning to conduct a comprehensive programme which aiming to enhance their ability in areas such as public relation, presentation skills and more soft skills... this effort also can be implement in govt departments, GLC, and private sector to produce a high quality employees.. good effort for IDFR...
BalasPadamDiplomats are not introverts. They should be more exposed to the surroundings.Don't play like a chicken dong.
BalasPadamEvery country's representatives are brushing up their English, some even go the extra mile to learn Chinese. It is time that our own people representatives doing the same.
BalasPadamKonsulat sepatutnya bersikap terbuka dan sukakan perbincangan. Jadi adalah amat penting jika seseorang itu dilantik menetapi ciri2 yang dicari agar tidak menimbulkan permasalahan.
BalasPadamThat's why more trainings are vital. We are representing countries not a cheeky lil hometown.So,be prepared. If a celebrity needs to gain weight because of a role then I don't think it will be a problem if a diplomat learn how to present in a better way.
BalasPadamHarap dorang ini boleh meningkatkan kebolehan diri, jangan menjatuhkan muka orang Malaysia bila di luar negara.
BalasPadamThese skills are a main requirement for a diplomacy officials. Hope that they will try to improve their abilities so that there will not be any problems while socializing with other country's representatives.
BalasPadam