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 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 (People's Coalition).

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 (Foreign Ministry) in Kuala
Lumpur."