NADI Centre

The minister of Foreign Affairs is culturally nonchalant by thinking film is the only platform for cultural diplomacy. Furthermore, our lukewarm film industry is not as developed as neighbouring countries like Indonesia and Thailand.

Diplomacy is about the projection of an image of one's country in the international arena. In the age of geopolitical rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, cultural diplomacy will help us remain neutral and hedge our bets with major powers.

Rizal Hamdan's op-ed in the New Straits Times.

Cultural diplomacy: Wisma Putra should use badminton, food CULTURAL diplomacy is a constructive engagement to foster mutual understanding between countries. In the 1970s, taking advantage of the Sino-Soviet split, Washington had tactfully tested the waters by exploiting table tennis to initiate diplomatic relations with Beijing.

As a middle power state, multilateral diplomacy and partnership are Malaysia's strengths. We continue our prosperous economic cooperation with China, while maintaining a strong relationship with the US and the UK.

Exchanging views with neighbours reflects Malaysia's sincerity in constructive engagement. We're not just jumping on the bandwagon over AUKUS. We have constantly engaged China and fellow ASEAN countries in searching for common ground on this issue.

At the end of the day, the principle of neutrality and non-alignment must remain the core of Malaysia's foreign policy.

Rizal Hamdan's latest op-ed on AUKUS & militarisation in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia's foreign policy must remain neutral, non-aligned amid tensions | New Straits Times The announcement of a trilateral military and security partnership known as AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and United States) on Sept 15 was received largely with ambivalence by Asean member states.

Religious radicalism is a poison to multiracial Malaysia.

Praising a militant in the name of religious solidarity is never appropriate.

Rizal Hamdan's op-ed, published in the New Straits Times.

Moderation a shield to protect culturally rich, diverse Malaysia | New Straits Times In late 2001, the United States launched a worldwide offensive campaign against terrorism as a reaction to the 9/11 attacks.

ASEAN should not forget the tradition of berkampung as a mechanism for the regional organisation to cope with any grave issues that may arise.

Only by standing together as one voice can Asean member states overcome the ordeals and threats that are looming over the region.

Happy 54th ASEAN anniversary from NADI Centre.

Asean stronger as one voice | New Straits Times The story of Asean began with estrangement, insecurity and the intractable relationship between states in Southeast Asia. Against the backdrop of the Cold War, leaders of the fledgling nations were concerned that the democracy-communism rivalry will push the relatively new states to take sides.

Selepas tiga dekad tamatnya perang dingin, hegemoni Amerika Syarikat sudah mulai luntur dan terpaksa berdepan dengan saingan yang lebih licik dan stabil.

Natijahnya, dunia akan memasuki fasa multipolar sebagai struktur baru global, yang turut mencorakkan norma baru hubungan antarabangsa.

Ulasan lanjut di link seperti berikut.

ULASAN | Kuasa besar dan politik vaksin global ULASAN | Wabak ini menyebabkan persaingan China-Amerika Syarikat semakin sengit, paling agresif sejak Kesatuan Soviet runtuh.

Vaccine diplomacy is a manifestation of the rivalry between superpowers.

Although vaccine production and access are part of the "global public good", diplomatic alignment is still a potent force in determining the procurement of vaccine supply from which manufacturers.

Rizal Hamdan's opinion on the global vaccine tug of war between superpowers and the new norms of International Relations.

Staying neutral in vaccine war | New Straits Times Unlike the last time, the United States has yet to offer a practical economic and political model to global south states as part of a strategic move to outmanoeuvre China.

The Muslim world is in a big mess. The ineptness of the OIC, constant bickering of the state members, and growing friction between two rivalry bloc (The Saudi & Turkey-Iran's led) in the organization, has created disparity and disunity among the Muslim of the world. Eventually, it leaves many important issues unresolved.

It depends on Malaysia to play an active-functional intermediary role in the Muslim world. Thus, bridging the ever-widening gap.

The Muslim world is in a big mess. The ineptness of the OIC, constant bickering of the state members, and growing friction between two rivalry bloc (The Saudi & Turkey-Iran's led) in the organization, has created disparity and disunity among the Muslim of the world. Eventually, it leaves many important issues unresolved.

It depends on Malaysia to play an active-functional intermediary role in the Muslim world. Thus, bridging the ever-widening gap.

Read our Executive Director, Rizal Hamdan's opinion in the New Straits Times today with regards to the politics of the Muslim world.

Happy Eid Fitr everyone from the NADI Centre Team!

Malaysia must play proactive intermediary role in OIC | New Straits Times The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is in a precarious period. Since its inception on Sept 25, 1969, the organisation has been subject to criticism over its ineptness in taking up issues that undermine Muslims’ interests.

Our opinion on Undi 18.

The logic behind the youth's immaturity (not ready et cetera) was built on the premise of our own ignorance. We have are mistakenly applying ‘the Bangsar-bubble’ narrative in understanding the youth.

The government must take a step to gazette 7.8 million new voters!

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/02/666910/time-govt-gazette-undi18-bill?fbclid=IwAR1r-I_IR2PRBU1QI559E_CANqrYu81kjsdip8vmRXbyQz18VpGbTOJEJLk

Time for govt to gazette Undi18 bill | New Straits Times On July 16, 2019, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, also known as the Undi18 bill, which reduces the voting age in national and state elections from 21 to 18.

Rizal Hamdan's opinion on the rise of youth based parties in Asia. The public must not hold a dismissive or sceptical opinion on the youth participation in electoral-politics. The world's demographic is changing, the youth will become a formidable electoral bloc soon.

As MUDA is still in an embryonic stage, it is vital for them to foster an alliance with other like minded parties. Otherwise, impending disaster is looming upon them. Working in silo is not an option.

Youth-based parties on the rise | New Straits Times Unfortunately, everywhere in the world, the youth is underrepresented. Most of the world’s countries are being led by the boomer generation.

Without the government's regulation and legalisation, this industry remains in the hands of the outlaw drug cartel and billions of dollars worth of tax is lost.

Although legalisation is far beyond reach in Malaysia, for the time being, the government must review the national drug policy and laws, and eventually take a step towards the decriminalisation of ma*****na.

At the end of the day, educative and rehabilitative policies are better than punitive ones.

Govt must eventually take a step towards decriminalisation of ma*****na | New Straits Times ON Dec 4, the United States House of Representatives approved a bill on decriminalising ma*****na.

Decriminalisation of ma*****na & the harm reduction policy.