Kursus di Institut Diplomasi dan Hubungan Luar Negeri (IDFR) Kuala Lumpur

Hari ini merupakan minggu ke - 6 kami berada di IDFR KL untuk kursus Diplomatic Training Course. All I could say, this course has been very interesting for all of us junior diplomats. Bermacam ilmu dicurahkan. For the first few weeks, we learn bit and parcel of foreign language. We were divided into 3 classes for language. Spanish was the famous with highest student intake, about 12 followed by French and Arabic.

Selain dari itu juga, para junior officers didedahkan berkenaan dengan pelbagai aspek keselamatan sewaktu bertugas di Perwakilan Malaysia di luar negara.

Quotable Quotes on Diplomat

"A diplomat is a man who can tell you to go to hell and make the trip sound pleasurable" as said by Samuel Clemens. Another version is "A diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the journey" by Caskie Stinnett

Besides the ever popular quotes by Sir Henry Wotton "A diplomat is an honest man sent abroad to lie for his country". The ambiguity of its meaning is open to anyone to interpret in their own way.

A certain point of view : Overseas allowance

RECENTLY, there have been negative reports that Malaysian diplomats were not getting a good deal, especially in allowances when serving overseas. In fact, several government backbenchers called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) to improve the facilities and benefits enjoyed by our senior officials - aptly, as they represent Malaysia in the capacity of leaders who facilitate trade between us and other countries. Among the main grouses were that our diplomats' cars, especially the ambassadors' and official embassy cars, were past their prime, and that the ambassadors' monthly entertainment allowances of between RM500 and RM3,000 were considered too little. Another bone of contention was that the education allowance provided to cover the cost of primary and secondary education was inadequate. Some quarters feel it should be extended to university level.

So, how far does the truth extend in these issues? The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, declined to comment. However, Malaysian Business decided to obtain views from former diplomats, senior officials and heads of Malaysian trade missions abroad. Some of them had served Wisma Putra in countries ranging from Africa, Myanmar and Cambodia to more well-to-do nations like Japan, Germany, Europe and the United States.

Tan Sri Ajit Singh, a retired diplomat who had served in the 70s and 80s, has this to say: `This is not a real issue at all. When we consider this matter we have to look at the macro level. On the contrary, our diplomats are generally a well looked after bunch. The yardstick Wisma Putra follows is what the United Nations' top brass receive. On top of getting their regular local salaries, these diplomats get a cost of living allowance, more than decent accommodation, a one-off relocation allowance, a tax-free car and miscellaneous claims.'

The cost of living allowance varies from country to country and the denomination our diplomats' get varies according to the country they serve in, Ajit adds. `For instance, in developed countries like Europe, the US, Japan and Australia, diplomats get their allowances in the denomination of these countries. In Third World and developing countries, our diplomats get paid in either US dollars or Euros.'

Kanny Sadayandy, retired Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) director covering Scandinavian countries, says Malaysian diplomats are quite unlike diplomats from certain countries who are given a limited lump sum of allowance. The money is used both for accommodation as well as for entertainment. Sadayandy says sometimes the accommodation chosen by the ambassadors of these countries could be substandard, which give their country a bad name. `Meanwhile, our own diplomats are ensured of good living conditions befitting their status. In turn, they are given a separate entertainment allowance,' explains Sadayandy, who also served as Economic Counsellor for the Malaysian embassy in Sweden.

Ajit adds that our diplomats are also exempted from local sales, income and liquor taxes. `All these little perks add up to quite a bit,' he says. Sadayandy goes one step further. He says that up to 90% of our ambassadors' utility bills are paid by the government. `Does this not amount to big savings?' he questions.

However, government backbenchers in Parliament have a different story to tell. For one, Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Santubong in Sarawak, has been quoted in Parliament as saying that `Some of our ambassadors abroad are still driving around in cars which look like they were used by vegetable sellers. These people are our representatives in other countries, and the government should take concerted efforts to enhance and upgrade the benefits and facilities they enjoy.'

Wan Junaidi's views were supported by Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, the MP for Kudat in Sabah. Abdul Rahim felt our diplomats' allowances were small compared to countries like Indonesia - where their ambassadors are allowed unlimited sums.

He went on to comment that some of our diplomatic counterparts from much poorer countries are better taken care of. For instance, several ambassadors he had visited did not even have a personal fax machine. They had to share it with others, which Wan Junaidi said was embarrassing. Oddly, the former head of a Malaysian trade organisation feels otherwise. `We have to consider the issues in a realistic way. For instance, with regards to ambassadors' and official cars, our foreign missions are allowed to change cars every five years. I believe this policy was carried out until the 1997 financial crisis. This may have been changed to perhaps seven years after that.'

He adds that it is an unwritten rule that our ambassadors also prefer the German marque Mercedes Benz over other makes, using our ambassadors' in Japan as an example. `I am quite certain that the Japanese- made Toyota Lexus measures up to the standard of a Mercedes Benz, or even better. Moreover, being a Japanese make, the maintenance cost would logically be lower. Similarly, the French and the Americans have wonderful cars of their own, but unfortunately, our ambassadors insist on Mercedes Benzes. With naturally higher maintenance costs, how often would one expect our missions abroad to repair these cars? Can you blame our cars for looking like vegetable sellers' cars then? In any case, I am sure our cars are maintained enough to reflect the developed status of our country.' On the other hand, with regards to fax machines, Sadayandy says this can be solved if we were to reduce the number of non-essential staff at foreign missions - as they do not contribute to any real value- added service at all. `Then the ambassadors can own their own fax machines,' he adds.

As for the insufficient entertainment allowances, Sadayandy adds, in reality what must be looked into is whether the allowances our diplomats receive are put to good use. `Are these allowances used to support the aspirations of the country vis-a-vis to promote trade and tourism? You will be surprised at the answer.`Ask how many of our diplomats really meet up with heads of states, foreign media editors or even officials of trade organisations?' Sadayandy questions.

However, he concedes, diplomats' allowances do need to be reviewed on a regular basis of around five years, considering the cost of living in these countries. `In some European countries there is no such thing as controlled prices for essential goods. Take, for instance, Sweden, where one formal dinner outing can wipe out at least RM1,500.

`Our officers at Wisma Putra need not travel to these countries to assess the situation. All they need to do is go through the Internet. It is that simple these days.' Attempts to get a scale of the allowance of diplomats were unsuccessful. For some strange reason, such information is deemed confidential.

Elsewhere, on the matter of education, while some feel the government's policy to cover the cost of educating diplomats' children until the secondary level is inadequate, Sadayandy feels otherwise. The question he raises is that ambassadors should use their discretion when sending their children to private international schools in English-speaking countries like the US, Australia, Canada and even the UK.

`I understand if in countries like Japan, Myanmar or Germany our diplomats were to send their children to rather expensive international schools. However, I also feel public education in English- speaking countries is comparable to private education, and obviously comes at a lower fee. Is this necessary? The money saved could be used by our diplomats to perhaps partially cover tertiary education if they choose to educate their children abroad. Children who, as young adults, can fend for themselves can return home and enrol in our local universities,' one senior government official says.

In the final analysis, life as a Malaysian diplomat abroad is good, as there is never any dearth in our diplomats wanting to serve overseas. `The supply outstrips the demand, especially for countries like Japan, Germany, US and Australia. Even for less developed countries, our diplomats are provided with special allowances. What more can they ask for?' a former ambassador questions.

As Sadayandy sums it up: `The more pertinent question is whether the allowances given are spent on worthwhile duties, albeit being reviewed periodically, otherwise the purpose of our foreign missions to attract foreign direct investments to our country would be defeated altogether.'

Note: The article above was published in Malaysian Business magazine in its 16 December 2004 edition. I have only one thing to add.

The type of allowances that Malaysian diplomats received are well laid out in "Pekeliling Perkhidmatan Bil. 2 Tahun 1994" under Peraturan Khidmat Luar Negeri. If you are interested, you may wish to google it and you will find out that our diplomats are not that lavish-spender abroad.
Your kind comments are appreciated.

Diplomasi dan Golf : Seiring dan Sejalan

Apabila memperkatakan tentang golf, tidak dapat tidak ramai yang mengatakan ini hanya permainan untuk orang elit, berada dan tergolong permainan mewah.

Diplomatic Training Course 1/2008 Participants

The following is the list of Malaysian junior diplomats who will be attending the DTC course for this intake. The next batch will be coming for the July session.

According to HRM Division, we are likely to get our overseas posting by June 2009 (next year) though some of us might be going earlier as there are also some who are my senior in this intake.


1. Mr. Ahmad Phadil Mohamed
2. Mr. Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh
3. Ms. Fairuz Husna binti Ramli
4. Mr. Farzamie Sarkawi
5. Mr. Firdauz Othman
6. Mr. Johan Ariff Abd Razak
7. Mr. Kamal Nor Farid bin Kamaruddin
8. Mr. Lim You Rang
9. Mr. Mahruzahrin Maskan
10. Ms. Munirah Zulkaple
11. Mr. Mohd Fareed Zakaria
12. Mr. Mohd Hafiz Othman
13. Mr. Mohd Ishrin Mohd Ishak
14. Mr. Mohiuddin Ghazali
15. Mr. Muhammad Hatta bin Mohd Isa
16. Mr. Muhd Irfan Zulkurnain
17. Mr. Nik Mohd Nasyron Syah Nik Daud
18. Ms. Nur Ayuni Zainal Abidin
19. Ms. Nur Eliza Jemal
20. Mr. Saravanan a/l Karathihayan
21. Ms. Shahbanu Farah Abdul Rakesh
22. Mr. Shahril Nizam Abdul Malek
23. Mrs. Sharifah Ezneeda Wafa Syed Mohd Zulkarnain Wafa
24. Ms. Sharila binti Abdullah
25. Mrs. Suraya Ahmad Pauzi
26. Ms. Wong Chia Chiann
27. Ms. Zurina Ahmad Tejuddin

A Perfect Diplomat and a Picture of Affability

by Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad

IT is too early to say whether diplomacy will reduce his tendency to be ruffled easily. But when he was at the United Nations early last month, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was (almost) a perfect diplomat, a picture of affability and discretion.

When he walks, his well set body swaggers. He speaks well whether in Malay or English and his appetite, like mine, is excellent. We had three Western meals during the visit so I can irrefutably say that. We are both overweight, sad to say. We have been friends for a long time.

An American lady sitting next to me at my table at the Asia Society breakfast meeting said: "Your Minister speaks well. His explanation about events in Malaysia is clear. His impromptu answers are even better". This supports my view that our ministers (the good ones) should speak more off-the-cuff. Others, like me, should adhere closely to the text! To speak and say nothing is an art but I can attest that Syed Hamid not only speaks, but he always has something to say.


Syed Hamid's performance as a Minister has been generally good. Judging by what he achieved in New York and at the United Nations Security Council debate on disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants in a peacekeeping environment, he did a good job. The Malaysian diplomats, who hitherto had had no contact with him, were generally impressed. One remarked, rather enthusiastically to me: "The Minister surprises me: he grasps his briefs quickly and presents his case well. This is some compliment coming from a diplomat not known for his generosity.

Syed Hamid told the Security Council: "While peace can be quite elusive, sustainable peace becomes harder to achieve following any peace agreement if serious efforts are not taken to address the, question of disarmament, demobilisation and the reintegration of ex-combatants in a comprehensive manner.

"One of the primary objectives of peacekeeping is to create a safe and secure environment that would allow for the resumption of peaceful activities and normal life in society. It should also create conditions that would allow for serious post-conflict peace building efforts to be carried out. Disarmament is a crucial prerequisite for the consolidation of peace and stability in countries emerging out of conflict. However, experience has shown that disarmament alone cannot guarantee the achievement of the long-term objectives of sustainable peace, stability and development. It has to be followed up with the effective demobilisation of excombatants and their timely and peaceful reintegration into society. These three elements should be part of a continuous process that stretches from the peacekeeping phase to that of post-conflict peace-building.

"Malaysia has gained some experience in demobilisation and reintegration programmes as a result of an internal insurgency problem that lasted almost fifty years, ending only a decade ago. During those years, the Government had to spend vast sums on defence, mainly for counter insurgency operations, while at the same time having to focus on development. Over time, soldiers and policemen had to be demobilised and reintegrated into civilian society as the security situation improved. This continuous demobilisation and reintegration programme has been incorporated in the country's development plans. Ex-servicemen are given the opportunity to learn skills and participate in useful economic activity upon retirement from active duty.

"We recognise that Malaysia's experience may be unique to the situation which we faced. However, we have learned some very important lessons from this experience. We have been able to share some of this experience with other countries. I am grateful to the representative of Namibia for mentioning in his statement the contribution that Malaysia made in the training of Namibian ex-combatants to prepare them for reintegration into society following Namibia's independence.

"Malaysia believes that efforts to share experiences in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes should be encouraged. We look forward to the participation of member states which have had some direct experience in such programmes, in the Council's present discussion on this subject.

"Malaysia strongly believes that the United Nations, should be given a greater role in peacemaking, peacekeeping and post conflict peace-building, including in the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of ex- combatants in a peacekeeping environment. Given the nature of present day conflicts, the demands on the United Nations would be enormous. But with the necessary political will, resources and support from member states and the international community, we believe the United Nations can succeed.

"Malaysia would very much welcome a willingness on the part of the Security Council to address the issue under discussion today on a regular basis. We propose a further discussion of this issue by the Council on the basis of a report which we hope the Secretary General could submit within six months". Let's see if our suggestion is taken up.

Although the New York assignment is only a part, a small part of what the Foreign Minister does, it is an important part, because the United Nations is a subject on which contemporary diplomacy is built.

Syed Hamid is, as stated, adept at presenting his case and he answers questions deftly, especially during the Asia Society breakfast. He dealt lucidly with issues raised relating to human rights, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's arrest, jailing and alleged beatings, trials and the independence of the Malaysian judiciary, legal service and Malaysian lawyers.

Syed Hamid will be at the United Nations again come September in the company of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has not attended the General Assembly since Tan Sri Razali Ismail became President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1996. Malaysian foreign policy has always reflected the personality of the Prime Minister. He formulates the policy, decides its orientation and can veto all decisions, which has indeed happened several times in the 42 years of our involvement in international relations.

A Malaysian Foreign Minister, like all his counterparts, has never had much influence over policy decisions (let alone a permanent secretary or secretary-general) indeed, not even when the respected and redoubtable Tun Ismail Abdul Rahman was Foreign Minister. He clashed with Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the Prime Minister, over the "two-China policy". He resigned (was not accepted), and after he had cooled down and was no longer sulking, Tunku made him the Minister of Home Affairs where he distinguished himself and became the greatest Home Minister we ever had.

Syed Hamid, like his immediate predecessor, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is a good team-player. I asked his colleagues and all had trouble recalling highlights of Syed Hamid's performance either in the Cabinet or at the Umno Supreme Council. There were several occasions I gathered when he did engage the former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anuar Ibrahim. Otherwise Syed Hamid is essentially an off-the-centre- stage- persona, though a dependable backup.

Syed Hamid is a son of the mercurial Tan Sri Syed Ja'afar Albar, a sometime Deputy Minister of Information (in the early sixties) and Secretary General of Umno (in the mid-sixties) and Umno Youth Chief (in the mid-seventies). Though called "Singa Umno - the Lion of Umno", Ja'afar Albar never made it big compared with his more successful contemporaries like Tun Ghaffar Baba, Tun Sardon Zubir, Tan Sri Khir Johari, Tan Sri Senu Abdul Rahman and Tan Sri Ghazali Jawi. I am glad Syed Hamid has accomplished more in politics, government and private sector than his father ever did.

I am often asked whether Syed Hamid has a bright political future. In 1986 Hamid Albar tried and failed to lead the Umno Youth. He was beaten by the incumbent (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), nor did he succeed in his attempt to be an Umno vice president; his effort was badly (and violently) thwarted by Anwar and his "Wawasan Team". There is speculation that he may try again. Anyone who wants to be considered a serious contender for future Umno leadership must first become one of the three vice presidents.

I heard Syed Hamid's intention has made two Johore prospective candidates, one better rated than him, nervous. A top Johore politician, speaking not for attribution, said bluntly to me: "I hope Syed Hamid does not entertain such an idea. If he did, neither he nor the stronger of the two prospective candidates from Johore would win". The politician fears his candidate who has been touted for higher office will miss the opportunity in 2000 if Syed Hamid insists on joining the fray.

Hamid Albar is not a scion of a political dynasty as we know it but he comes from an Umno super state where money is not necessary (though it helps) to build and maintain a power base. In Johore, there is no need for immense wealth (Hamid is not poor by any means) to be a successful politician. Good education (which Albar has) is helpful but a keen desire to serve the nation and people seems all what is required to win elections and to keep one's job in Johor.

After schooling in Melbourne, thence to London to study Law, not without some encouragement from his mentor, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Syed Hamid plunged into the world of banking followed by a lucrative law practice where reputedly he made a lot of money. When Tengku Razaleigh left Umno, he did not follow him, which was smart and not altogether surprising,

Syed Hamid is already miles ahead of his father, but he still has many miles to go to reclaim the political mantle left by his dad. The older Albar did not achieve much but he had a mind of his own, even if he was wrong. That was his political legacy. There are no "young" Albars or "young" Mahathirs in Umno now. Albar and Mahathir were on opposite sides of the Umno political spectrum, but they were always civil to each other.

Syed Hamid has proved that he is more than just a son of a well-known name. He has demonstrated, up to now, that he is his own man. Still, he will have to show Umno members, especially in Johore, that he is ready to move from Business Class to the First Class cabin politically speaking.

Di Sebalik Wisma Putra

Oleh AZLINARIAH ABDULLAH (Utusan Malaysia. 29 Mei 2007)

WISMA Putra yang kita tahu, mungkin ia nama lain buat Kementerian Luar. Atau, kita barangkali mungkin terdetik, Wisma Putra itu bangunan menempatkan petugas Kementerian Luar, yang sekarang ini diterajui Menterinya, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

Tetapi bagi generasi baru pula, Wisma Putra yang mereka tahu terletaknya di Presint 2, Putrajaya, bukan di Jalan Wisma Putra, berhampiran bangunan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).

Pernahkah kita mahu bertanya kenapa namanya ialah Wisma Putra bukan Wisma Putri atau sebarang nama lain? Bilakah usaha penubuhannya mula dilakukan?

Di antara banyak kementerian yang ada di Malaysia, Kementerian Luar antara yang pertama memiliki bangunannya sendiri iaitu Wisma Putra.

Asal sejarah, usaha mewujudkannya (asalnya juga dipanggil Kementerian Hal Ehwal Luar (MEA), dibuat setahun sebelum negara merdeka pada tahun 1957.

Tujuan asalnya pula ialah mahu melatih sekumpulan 11 diplomat untuk bertugas bagi misi diplomatik negara di luar negara. Kumpulan perintis ini dilatih di Britain dan Australia. Antara yang paling awal berkhidmat dengan Wisma Putra ialah Tan Sri Zainal Abidin Sulung. Zainal sendiri menulis sejarah awal Kementerian Luar dalam sebuah buku terbitan Institut Diplomasi dan Hubungan Luar (IDFR) berjudul Number One Wisma Putra.

Dalam pada itu, MEA mengambil model daripada Kementerian Luar Britain, seiring dengan birokrasi yang direka dengan mengambil kira struktur Perkhidmatan Awam British. Kita juga mempunyai Malaysian Civil Service (MCS) yang kemudiannya menjadi Malaysia Home and Foreign Service (MHFS) dan sekarang ini Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik (PTD).

Laman web rasmi Wisma Putra menyebut, pada awalnya, tiga pegawai membahagikan tugas masing-masing di kawasan yang dipertanggungjawabkan.

‘‘Misi diplomatik Malaysia pada awal sejarahnya ada di London, Washington, Canberra, New York, New Delhi, Jakarta dan Bangkok. Ia berkembang pesat sehingga kini negara memiliki 102 perwakilan (kedutaan dan konsuler) di negara luar.

‘‘Kedutaan sebuah negara Komanwel di sebuah negara Komanwel yang lain dikenali sebagai Suruhanjaya Tinggi, manakala di negara-negara bukan Komanwel ia dikenali sebagai Kedutaan Besar seperti biasa,’’ kata bekas diplomat yang kini pensyarah di Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik, Universiti Malaya (UM), Datuk Ahmad Mokhtar Selat.

Kalau kedutaan dibuka di ibu kota sesebuah negara, konsuler kebiasaannya dibangunkan di wilayah-wilayah.

Dalam pada itu, seperti bangunan, pejabat dan syarikat yang menyaksikan perubahan demi perubahan kerana faktor masa, Kementerian Luar juga tidak ketinggalan.

Selain namanya juga bertukar, lokasi menempatkan bangunan kementerian turut berubah.
Tahun 1966 menyaksikan perubahan bagi Kementerian Luar ini, ujar beliau yang mula ‘memasuki’ Wisma Putra pada tahun 1971.

Pada 31 Ogos, Kementerian Luar memiliki bangunannya sendiri iaitu Wisma Putra, terletak di Persiaran Hose, Bukit Petaling sebelum ia bertukar nama menjadi Jalan Wisma Putra selepas itu.

Ia dirasmikan oleh Perdana Menteri pertama, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj pada pukul 10.30 pagi, 31 Ogos 1966. Beliau juga Menteri Luar Malaysia yang pertama.

Bangunan berkenaan bernilai RM2 juta dan pada masa itu ia memiliki 200 anggota.

Dalam ucapannya, Tunku Abdul Rahman mengakui bangunan Kementerian Luar itu mempunyai signifikan tersendiri buat diri beliau dan kepada negara.

Malahan, beliau turut mengimbau bagaimana bangunan itu adalah tapak tempat tinggalnya yang dihadiahkan oleh kerajaan British semasa beliau menjadi Ketua Menteri Persekutuan Malaya pada tahun 1955.

Signifikan

‘‘Rumah itu sangat lama dan uzur. Ia bocor di sana sini, terutamanya di bilik tidur. Apabila hujan, saya dan isteri terpaksa mengalihkan katil ke mana-mana sudut yang selamat daripada ditimpa hujan. Jadi, ia memberi signifikan kepada saya apabila ia dijadikan bangunan Kementerian Luar di tapak sama,’’ katanya semasa merasmikan bangunan terbabit.

Katanya, mana-mana tetamu asing akan melawat Kementerian Luar jika datang ke Malaysia walaupun tetamu itu adalah wakil daripada kementerian lain di negaranya. Jadi, dengan menjemput tetamu luar datang, ia sedikit sebanyak ‘menonjolkan’ bagaimana rupa sebenar asal Wisma Putra itu sendiri.

Ucapan Tunku Abdul Rahman semasa merasmikan Wisma Putra itu dijilidkan sebagai volume 1-No 1 dalam buletin Wisma Putra.

Nama Wisma Putra dicadangkan oleh Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie pada tarikh ia dirasmikan.

Katanya, Wisma Putra adalah gabungan perkataan Sanskrit di mana Wisma itu bermakna bangunan dan Putra itu adalah nama Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Kata Ahmad Mokhtar, ramai yang tidak tahu bahawa surau Wisma Putra adalah dapur kediaman Tunku Abdul Rahman. Tetapi kini setelah IDFR menduduki bangunan itu, segala-galanya diruntuhkan dan tiada lagi asal kediaman Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Selepas lebih empat dekad beroperasi di Jalan Wisma Putra, Kementerian Luar sekali lagi menyaksikan perubahan di mana pada 5 September 2001, Syed Hamid sebagai Menteri Luar mendapat replika kunci bagi Kompleks Wisma Putra yang baru daripada Profesor Zainuddin Muhammad, Pengerusi Putrajaya Holding pada satu majlis ringkas di Putrajaya.

Kementerian memulakan operasi di kompleks baru yang bernilai RM170 juta itu 12 hari kemudian iaitu pada 17 September.

Kompleks itu tersergam di atas bukit dan panoramanya dikelilingi oleh Taman Wawasan dengan ia dibina di atas tanah seluar 12.12 hektar.

Kalau sebelum ini Jalan Wisma Putra dinamakan sempena terdapat Wisma Putra di situ, apa salahnya jika Presint 2, tempat duduk letak Wisma Putra sekarang ditukarkan menjadi Bukit Wisma Putra, begitu syor Ahmad Mokhtar.

Hujahnya, ia penting bagi mengekalkan penjenamaan Wisma Putra itu sendiri.

Kompleks Wisma Putra baru itu melambangkan kekuatan institusi kerajaan yang berdasarkan kepada kombinasi seni bina tradisional dan moden. Perlambangan tradisional misalnya boleh dilihat pada reka bentuk bumbung di mana ia adalah simbol rumah Melayu lama. Begitu juga motif flora yang terdapat di tingkap-tingkap bangunan tersebut. Reka bentuk geometri Islam turut dicipta pada lantai marmar dan granit di dalam bangunan.