Malaysian ambassador goes from Jakarta to New York

Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work. This may be the secret of the outgoing Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Hamidon Ali.

After having served as an ambassador to Indonesia for just two years -- at a particularly difficult time -- Hamidon has been promoted as Malaysia's Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York as recognition of his diplomatic skills and approach in dealing with difficult times in bilateral relations.

Ever since his submission of credentials on June 13, 2003 to then president Megawati Soekarnoputri, Hamidon has never had a smooth ride in Jakarta.

During his very brief period, Hamidon was forced to deal with regular demonstrations in front of his office on issues like deportation of Indonesian illegal immigrants, illegal logging, human trafficking and the sensitive Ambalat issue.

"Frankly speaking, I never served before in Indonesia. Before coming here, I was the Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore. My posting here was like parachuting me into stormy waters. But it's quite a worthwhile (experience) in understanding Indonesia, its history, culture and its dynamic democracy in the context of our relations. My experience in Indonesia was interesting and absolving," Hamidon, one of the Malaysia's top diplomats who has a Master's degree in public administration from Harvard University, told The Jakarta Post in an exclusive interview at his office recently.

Despite all these problems between Malaysia and Indonesia, Hamidon said he and his wife Amy Low Abdullah really enjoyed their stay in this country.

"Though we have taken some extra precautions, we never experienced any personal problems. I know our country has problems with a small group of people. The vast majority of Indonesians appreciates Malaysia and consider Malaysians as their brothers. This was evident when I visited several provinces where people received me as their friend and a brother," Hamidon said, while adding Indonesians and Malaysians share the same religion, language and cultural values.

"We are one big Malay family. Our bilateral problems are like the problems of two brothers in a family," said Hamidon, a frequent visitor to gyms, and also a painter.

Hamidon said Indonesia is upbeat and vital to everybody in Southeast Asia.

"Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. As a neighbor, Malaysia needs Indonesia in terms of land for oil palm plantations and human resources. We want to see Indonesia as a stable and prosperous country. If Indonesia prospers, we also prosper," Hamidon, who graduated from Australia's Monash University, said.

When asked about his secret in dealing with difficult situations, Hamidon said he adopted a cautious approach.

"I managed the situation by keeping a level head. Even my staff said the Ambassador was so cool headed. I didn't talk to the media for some time. Thank God, I was given that capacity not to overreact and not be emotional. I waited patiently for situation to calm down," Hamidon, who joined the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service in 1974.

As a diplomat, one has to deal with good as well as bad times. There lies one's expertise in the art of diplomacy.

Hamidon is not an ordinary man. He is an experienced and adept career-diplomat who understands the subtleties of international politics, the fine lines, the tight ropes, and the balancing acts required to create any type of consensus.

The 55-year-old diplomat -- whose mother is an Indonesian, Bugis, and father is a Chinese -- is a specialist in dealing with multilateral issues. He was once Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva.

"I have lot of experience in dealing multilateral issues. I do not have much experience in dealing with bilateral issues. Thanks to my job in Indonesia, I gained lot of experience in dealing with bilateral issues," Hamidon said.

Indonesian Ministry of Foreign officials, according to Hamidon, are professional diplomats, friendly and very cooperative.

"I have lots of appreciation for Indonesian diplomats. They are always friendly and cooperative. We have a bright future. I am confident that these bilateral problems can be solved through negotiations," Hamidon said, who speaks fluent Malay, English, Mandarin and French.

While talking about his new posting in New York, Hamidon said it would be a challenging task.

"It's like going back to my domain (multilateral negotiations). But given the present situation in world politics, it will be challenging task. There is a huge debate about United Nations reforms and the expansion of the UN Security Council and lot of other issues that affect developing countries. Anyhow, I am ready for this new challenge," Hamidon said.