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Syed Nizamuddin Bin Sayed Khassim

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Syed Nizamuddin bin Sayed Khassim
سيد نظام الدين بن سيد قاسم

FinstAM,FRAS
Born1989 (age 34–35)
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
OccupationWriter
Columnist
Administrative and Diplomatic Service Officer
LanguageEnglish
Malay
NationalityMalaysian
EducationUniversity of Oxford
University of Malaya
Universiti Teknologi MARA
SubjectGeopolitics, Current issues
Notable awardsKhazanah-Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Merdeka Scholarship Recipient 2022 [1]

Syed Nizamuddin bin Sayed Khassim FinstAM,FRAS (born 1989) is a Malaysian author and columnist; regularly contributing to the New Straits Times, South China Morning Post and Berita Harian. He is also an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer in the Malaysian Government. He co-founded MyDiplomacy, a Malaysian youth-focused diplomatic initiative.[2]

Early Life and Education

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Syed Nizamuddin was born in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. He pursued higher education at the University of Oxford under the Yayasan Khazanah's Merdeka Scholarship, where he earned a Master of Studies (MSt) in Diplomatic Studies from Kellogg College.[3][1] He also holds a Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Malaya.[4][5]

Career

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Syed Nizamuddin served the Foreign Ministry for 10 years, and served at the Malaysian Embassy in Paris as the First Secretary, during which he contributed as a columnist with the New Straits Times.[6] He has also contributed extensively to Malaysia’s diplomatic discourse through his articles in publications such as the South China Morning Post,[7] Malaysia's Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relation (IDFR)'s Diplomatic Voice [8][9][10] and the New Straits Times.[6]

He is known for his writings on Malaysia's geopolitical strategies, particularly its approach to balancing relationships with major global powers like China and the United States.[11] In his articles and commentaries, Syed Nizamuddin advocates for the continuation of Malaysia’s long-standing practice of geopolitical "hedging," emphasizing a balanced foreign policy that sidesteps alignments with either China or the United States.[12][13]

Subnational Diplomacy Advocacy

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Syed Nizamuddin has also been a prominent voice in advocating for the decentralisation diplomacy,[14] particularly for his home state of Sarawak, Malaysia.[15] He has argued that Sarawak is already engaged in various diplomatic initiatives through agencies like Sarawak Energy and the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS), and thus, should manage its role better in international affairs, similar to subnational entities in other countries such as Quebec, Bavaria, and Flanders.[16][15] The proposal generated widespread debate amongst policy makers and academia in Sarawak[17] [18][19]

MyDiplomacy Initiative

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In 2019, Syed Nizamuddin co-founded MyDiplomacy, an initiative aimed at empowering Malaysian youth by providing them with opportunities to engage in diplomatic initiatives. This movement focuses on equipping the next generation of diplomats with the necessary skills and experience to thrive in international relations.[2]

Writing

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Syed Nizamuddin writes on a broad spectrum of issues, from geopolitics[20][11][21][22] to current affairs[23][24][25] and human interests.[26] His view on subnational diplomacy in particular, garnered significant media attention in Sarawak.[27][28] James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania supports the idea, noting it aligns with practices in countries like Australia and Canada, enabling Sarawak to manage business relations more directly. However, Professor Datuk Jayum Jawan of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia argues that the proposal could undermine federalism, as foreign affairs encompass broader issues beyond economic interests, which should remain under federal control.[16]

Books

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  • "Pantun; Sastera Agung Bangsa Melayu" in Kitab Tamadun Melayu (The Patriots Publisher, 2022)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Scholars | Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies". www.oxcis.ac.uk.
  2. ^ a b "About Us". MyDiplomacy.
  3. ^ "Nembiak Nentu Transformasyen Ekonomi | Suara Sarawak". October 23, 2023.
  4. ^ "Kuching Lad Shines At Oxford — Obtains Rare Distinction In Diplomatic Studies | New Sarawak Tribune". October 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "Syed Nizamuddin Ukir Nama Di Universiti Oxford Sebagai Pelajar Terbaik | Suara Sarawak". October 20, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "News written by Syed Nizamuddin Sayed Khassim | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  7. ^ "Syed Nizamuddin Bin Sayed Khassim: Latest Articles, Analysis and Profile". South China Morning Post. October 8, 2024.
  8. ^ https://www.idfr.gov.my/images/stories/DiplomaticVoice/DiplomaticVoice_v2_2020.pdf
  9. ^ https://www.idfr.gov.my/images/stories/DiplomaticVoice/diplomatic%20voice%20vol%202%202015.pdf
  10. ^ https://www.idfr.gov.my/images/stories/DiplomaticVoice/DV2_2016.pdf
  11. ^ a b "Opinion | How Southeast Asia's diplomatic dance sidesteps great power ensnarement". South China Morning Post. October 8, 2024.
  12. ^ "Opinion | Malaysia's Brics bid affirms, rather than abandons, its diplomatic values". South China Morning Post. June 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "Sarawak And The US-China Competition | New Sarawak Tribune". December 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "Dispatch No. 4". Oxford Diplomatic Society.
  15. ^ a b "Sarawak Should Have Its Own Foreign Ministry | New Sarawak Tribune". December 14, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Foreign Ministry Proposal Aligns With Sarawak's High Income Target | New Sarawak Tribune". December 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Potentials Of Sarawak's Own Diplomatic Relations | New Sarawak Tribune". December 15, 2023.
  18. ^ "Foreign Ministry Proposal Aligns With Sarawak's High Income Target | New Sarawak Tribune". December 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "Thumbs Up To S'wak's Foreign Ministry | New Sarawak Tribune". December 15, 2023.
  20. ^ "Opinion | How Malaysia, China can deepen ties amid South China Sea tensions". South China Morning Post. October 1, 2023.
  21. ^ "Iran-Israel Temperature Rising: Geopolitical Implications in the Middle East and Southeast Asia | Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI)". www.asli.com.my.
  22. ^ "Global Election Watch: Impact of the American, European, and Asian Elections on International Politics, Economics, and Communities | Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI)". asli.com.my.
  23. ^ "Using English does not diminish the status of the Malay language". Borneo Post Online. November 22, 2015.
  24. ^ Apau, Margaret (January 13, 2015). "Address disparity of income between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia: Sarawak Member of Youth Parliament". Borneo Post Online.
  25. ^ "Teliti jurang pendapatan, ekonomi rakyat Malaysia". Borneo Post Online. January 14, 2015.
  26. ^ Khassim, Syed Nizamuddin Sayed (January 17, 2021). "Kinship between Hawaii, Johor rulers | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  27. ^ "The Rise Of Malaysia's Subnational Diplomacy: Johor, Singapore To Ink JSSEZ | New Sarawak Tribune". January 11, 2024.
  28. ^ "Sarawak And The US-China Competition | New Sarawak Tribune". December 18, 2023.
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