His time at Mindef was a short one year but Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan left his mark on the Defence Ministry. As Tok Mat, as he’s popularly known, begins his Foreign Affairs assignment, different challenges await. Our Sunday Star columnist sends him a congratulatory note.

There needs to be clarity in charting policies to foster better diplomacy and trust.

The Israeli regime’s war against Gaza is currently on pause – only for four days – but the Palestinian struggle for justice and nationhood must continue to be highlighted. Malaysia can play a role in this that goes beyond high level diplomatic meetings.

Sending a diplomatic notice to another country is normal and is not necessarily bad, and opens the door to formal engagement.

How many of us fully understand the gravity of the situation in Palestine and the history behind this ongoing violence that is taking place now? Or even where the conflict area is to begin with?

Their encounter with their Majesties may have been fleeting but Sabahans and Sarawakians put up the best unscripted welcome for the Royal Family during the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour.

The Malaysian government needs to engage more with stakeholders on maritime delimitation negotiations with Indonesia.

The government is looking at possibility of reopening Malaysian embassies but further research must be conducted on the risks and real cost of doing so.

Several senior civil servants and one state secretary are in the fray to fill Malaysia’s top civil service post should it become vacant next month.

Indonesian envoy’s criticisms against his host government borders crossing the line in diplomacy.

If the political and human rights crisis in Myanmar continues, Asean needs to start addressing who takes over chairmanship in 2026 after Malaysia’s turn.

It was a complex mission to get Malaysians out of Sudan following the eruption of internal strife that caught many by surprise.