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While on his way for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Da Nang, Viet Nam, Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa who was transiting via Bangkok had briefly stopped by at the Embassy and had a brief meeting with the officials from Wisma Putra. hroughout the one-hour pep talk, Tan Sri KSU reminded officers and staff of the Embassy to work diligently especially in this trying times given the budget constraints following the decision by the Government to reduce the allocation for Wisma Putra. Irrespective of that, KSU stressed that the normal work should not be affected and the constraints could be overcome with some creativity on part of the officials in discharging their daily duties particularly matters relating to finance.

 

2.         Officials at the Embassy were also reminded to work closely with other agencies in ensuring that the austerity measures implemented by the Government would achieve the desired results, consistent with the letter and spirit of SPKM. That notwithstanding, Tan Sri KSU gave the assurance that the Ministry would not compromise on the welfare and training aspects for the officials including the support staff.

 

3.         The brief visit by Tan Sri KSU was indeed a timely one to the Embassy as that was the first time Tan Sri KSU had the opportunity to visit the Chancery and had a look at some of the facilities available at the Embassy. From a different point of view, it was also a historic visit as Tan Sri KSU with few other ASEAN Foreign Ministers who flew from Bangkok to Savanakkhet in Laos then made a road trip to Da Nang to signify the commitment of ASEAN leaders on ASEAN connectivity as agreed by its leaders during the last 15^th ASEAN Summit in October 2009. Essentially, other than honouring the pledge made at the highest level, the road trip was also to signify that ASEAN leaders were committed in intensifying and strengthening ASEAN Community building efforts in all dimensions.      

 

 

Malawakil Bangkok

14 January 2010