Draft:Syed Nizamuddin Bin Sayed Khassim

Syed Nizamuddin bin Sayed Khassim FinstAM,FRAS
Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, Malaysia
Incumbent
Assumed office 2023
First Secretary, Embassy of Malaysia in Paris
In office 2018–2022
Ahli Parlimen Belia Malaysia
In office 2014–2016
Personal details
Born	(1989-03-05) 5 March 1989 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Alma mater	University of Oxford (MSt in Diplomatic Studies) University of Malaya (MPA) Universiti Teknologi MARA BSc (Hons) in Administrative Science
Occupation	Civil Servant Diplomat Author

Syed Nizamuddin bin Sayed Khassim FinstAM,FRAS (born 5 March 1989) is a Malaysian civil servant, diplomat, and author. He has served as an Assistant Secretary in the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at present a Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, Malaysia. He is the co-founder of MyDiplomacy, a youth-focused diplomatic initiative. Syed Nizamuddin is a recognized figure in Malaysian diplomacy and international relations, having worked in various capacities to promote Malaysia’s foreign policy interests.

Early Life and Education

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

Career

Syed Nizamuddin served the Foreign Ministry for 10 years, and served at the Malaysian Embassy in Paris as the First Secretary. He has also contributed extensively to Malaysia’s diplomatic discourse through his articles in publications such as the South China Morning Post and the New Straits Times. Prior to his tenure as an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer, he served as an Assistant Director at the Sarawak Foundation for three years.

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. In his articles, Syed Nizamuddin advocates for Malaysia’s long-standing practice of geopolitical "hedging," emphasizing a balanced foreign policy that aligns with both Eastern and Western powers.

Subnational Diplomacy Advocacy

Syed Nizamuddin has also been a prominent voice in advocating for the decentralisation diplomacy in Malaysia, particularly for his home state of Sarawak. 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.. The proposal generated widespread debate amongst policy makers and academica in Sarawak.

MyDiplomacy Initiative

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.

Writing

Syed Nizamuddin is a prolific writer on topics related to diplomacy, geopolitics, and Malaysia's role in international affairs. His writings cover a broad spectrum of issues, from Malaysia’s bid to join BRICS to its handling of complex regional dynamics in Southeast Asia, including the South China Sea disputes.