Five Wisma Putra achievements, one year on.

On Sept 1, I announced my annual report card at the Foreign Affairs Ministry titled “Navigating Foreign Policy Post-Pandemic".

The past year has been very significant in the struggle of navigating post-pandemic foreign policy, as the world is faced with three main challenges, namely climate change due to human actions, technological advances that are of great benefit but are followed by humanistic issues, and unjust international architectures.

The year’s five achievements are:

- Foreign Policy Framework 2021.

The framework titled "Focus on Continuity: Malaysia's Foreign Policy Framework in a Post-Pandemic World" was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in December 2021. It ensures that the implementation of existing foreign policy is streamlined to align with current trends.

Eight new focuses are given emphasis, namely Malaysia and the global economy, health diplomacy, digital economy, cyber security, language and cultural diplomacy, peaceful coexistence, multilateralism, and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

- Malaysia's membership in the UN Human Rights Council.

Malaysia was once again selected to be a member of this council for the 2022-2024 term. It is the world's recognition of Malaysia's role in human rights at the international level. Malaysia continues to fight for the rights of vulnerable groups such as children, women, Orang Asli, the disabled, and the elderly as well as for youth empowerment and fighting for the plight of the oppressed in places such as Palestine, Rohingya, and Afghanistan.

- The establishment of a Special Select Committee on International Affairs in Parliament.

The purpose of this committee is to examine, investigate and report on any matter referred to it by the House or the Minister, including any proposal, motion, petition, report, or document under the responsibility of the Foreign Affairs Ministry. It consists of eight cross-party Members of Parliament. Among the matters discussed are the Foreign Policy Framework, the expenditure of the ministry, and the alleged claims of the party purporting to be heirs to the Sulu Sultanate.

- Myanmar Conflict Resolution Framework.

Malaysia became a leading voice in resolving the Myanmar conflict and submitted a framework to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers'Meeting on August 3, 2022, which aims to improve the implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus (5PC) which has yet to show any results.

This framework suggests that there should be a clear end game, which is the establishment of democracy through an inclusive and fair process of consultation and transition involving the main stakeholders, including the National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) of Myanmar.

- Strengthening the Ministry's diplomatic capabilities.

This refers mainly to human resource development. Several new or improved measures have been implemented, for example, the Diplomat Scholarship Program, the preparation of the Glossary of Diplomacy and International Relations book, and the upgrading of the e-Consular System.