PUTRAJAYA: All Malaysian ambassadors and representatives based abroad are required to start their speeches with “Salam Sejahtera” and end with “Terima Kasih” as part of the government’s effort to promote Bahasa Malaysia globally.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he would soon issue a directive to all ambassadors and mission heads on the matter to promote the country’s national language.
“This is our way of promoting Bahasa Malaysia at the international arena, which will not cost us a single sen,” he said.
Saifuddin today spent about two hours in a dialogue session with 30 selected youths from various background at the Cruise Tasik Putrajaya.
The event which was held in conjunction with Malaysia Day aimed at collecting input and aspirations from youths about the country’s future and foreign policy direction.
Saifuddin said most people still did not fully understand the foreign minister’s roles and the country’s foreign policy.
“Most people think the foreign minister has no other job other than visiting foreign countries.
“What they do not know is the amount of work involved. For instance, when I attended the Asean Foreign Ministers meeting in Singapore recently, I had to attend 30 different meetings in four days.
“People also question why the foreign ministry has to bring many officers to the United Nation General Assembly. They are there to work and not for fun and leisure,” he said, adding the officers would also have to attend various meetings that were held concurrently.
Later, Saifuddin announced the winners for the ministry’s Instagram photo and video contest that was organised in conjunction with Malaysia Day celebration.
Mohamad Shazreen Mohamad Yunus, 28, was named winner of the photo category and Rohayu Md Saad for the video category, which gave youths a platform to express their opinion about Malaysia’s uniqueness which they feel should be taken to the world stage.