The Foreign Affairs Ministry maintains 66 embassies and 16 high commissions to help enhance Malaysia’s international profile.
They play a vital role in projecting a positive image of our country and act as the main communication channel in promoting trade and investment, education opportunities, cultural exchanges and tourism.
They are the primary government entity abroad and coordinate with other agencies present in the host country under the ambit of konsep organisasi bersepadu (joint organisation concept), in place since 1987.
In addition, there are 35 Tourism Malaysia offices overseas and many are located within Malaysian embassies and consulates.
Together, Malaysian missions and offices play an important role in promoting the country.
The fact that Malaysia is one of the most visited countries is testament of their success.
Likewise, they should shoulder some of the responsibility for the drop of visitors last year and what happened to Sabah was a good example.
Authorities in charge of security seem to be in cahoots with the media in announcing and reporting negative news, which always receive wide publicity but at the expense of the entire state.
While dealing with the media is not easy as reporting bad news is their staple, our overseas missions and offices should engage with other bodies, such as those issuing travel advisories and insurance cover.
Accommodation operators disclosed that the most common reason for booking cancellation was because overseas clients could not obtain insurance cover because Sabah was marked in the red zone.
It is critical to explain that repeated curfew extensions are only in a restricted area while the rest of the state is safe and secure 24/7.
Malaysians from other states know this and travelled to Sabah in record numbers last year. – January 4, 2016.
* CY Ming reads The Malaysian Insider.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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