KUALA LUMPUR: Former Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia K. Kesavapany launched his biography about his life and work in the diplomatic world.
Kesavapany, who was envoy from 1997 to 2002, released his biography “From Estate To Embassy, Memories Of An Ambassador” at the High Commission of Singapore in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (July 18) night.
Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah was the guest of honour.
Co-authored with Anitha Devi Pillai, the book details Kesavapany’s journey from the estates in pre-independence Malaya to his entry into the Singapore civil service and its Foreign Affairs Ministry.
After his retirement from the Singaporean civil service, he was the director of Singapore-based Institute of South-East Asian Studies from 2002 to 2012.
In the book, he also recounted his observations about the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Singapore.
In his speech during the launch, he described Malaysia and Singapore as being “proverbial Siamese twins” bound by geographical, economic and cultural ties.
“There will be moments of discomfort, but there will also be moments of shared happiness,” he said.
He added that as the world goes through rapid changes, it will be important for the two countries to minimise discomfort and increase shared happiness.
He said Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s advice must be heeded in that any conflicts between states must be resolved through negotiations and arbitrations.
Also present at the event were current Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon, who gave a speech, as well as other prominent Malaysian figures and academics.
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