Young diplomat to share views on politics, global relations with youths at BPIEF 2017

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KUCHING: Visitors, especially students, who wish to know more about the impact and influence of politics on youths can attend a session on ‘A Career in Diplomacy’, held as part of the programmes under this year’s Borneo Post International Education Fair (BPIEF) taking place at Vivacity Megamall here on this March 11 and 12.

The talk will be facilitated by administrative and diplomatic service officer (PTD) Syed Nizamuddin Sayed Khassim, who will share with the participants his experience as an assistant secretary to the Multilateral Economics and Environment Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, as well as during his tenure in the Malaysian Youth Parliament (MYP).

Kuching-born Syed Nizamuddin was elected to the MYP in 2014 and was selected as one of the ranking members of the International Relations and Diplomacy Committee (IRDC).  He is now focusing his energy on empowering youths in Malaysia, particularly Sarawakians, as well as on the concept of embracing diversity.

Syed Nizamuddin attended St Thomas’ Kindergarten and later, St Joseph’s Primary School before continuing his secondary studies at Kolej DPAH Abdillah here.

Upon his graduation from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) – he attended both the Shah Alam and Kota Samarahan campuses – in 2010, he joined Yayasan Sarawak as one of its youngest senior officers, overseeing the organisation’s corporate communications and later the state’s technical policy development. In 2013, he left Kuching to serve in the administrative and diplomatic service.

Syed Nizamuddin is currently pursuing his post-graduate studies at Universiti Malaya.

His interest in politics was sparked when he was a small boy, listening to his grandfather’s recount of the history of Sarawak. This fascination grew as he entered secondary school and expanded further to international politics when upon discovering the Lincoln Youth Corner at Pustaka Negeri.

One book, in particular, had a profound impact on him – the ‘Madam Secretary’, which relates the life and work of former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright throughout her eight years under President Bill Clinton’s administration; first as the US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) and then, as head of the US State Department.

Syed Nizamuddin is a strong believer in good governance, believing that ‘toxic partisan politics’ is hazardous.

During his time in the IRDC, he worked with individuals across various political leanings to ‘bridge our partisan divide and explore for pragmatic solutions’.

“The late chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, was one of those rare politicians who was willing to work across the aisle for the public’s interest,” he said.

Syed Nizamuddin pushed for several national initiatives during his tenure with MYP – one of which was the proposal for the decentralisation of the federal economic system. He also pushed for having ‘more voices from Borneo in our national narrative’ and also for further understanding between the people of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah.

Members of the MYP – unlike the actual Dewan Rakyat – do not represent any political party. The advantages of such arrangement are that the deliberations or debates are less political, and are much more focused on policy-making; thus, the decisions put forth by the MYP would serve as suggestions to the actual federal cabinet.

Syed Nizamuddin has also been actively involved in various non-profit and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), continuously being invited as the speaker for some of their programmes. He is also one of the regular contributors to the ‘Diplomatic Voice’ and other publications.

He has written and spoken extensively on international politics and on Sarawak.