The New Chairman of the International Bureau, Party Bersatu Malaysia: Former Senator Jaziri’s Strategic Global Vision from Cultural Diplomacy to International Partnership Building

Authors: Eugene F. Arokiasamy and Nao Margaret Samuel

Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian, Chairman of the International Bureau of Bersatu Malaysia, is emerging as one of the most consequential voices shaping Malaysia’s future foreign engagement. With a leadership style rooted in inclusion, multilateral partnerships, and cultural connectivity, Senator Jaziri represents a new generation of Malaysian diplomacy. His work across ASEAN+3, BRICS, the EU, and G7 stakeholders reflects a carefully calibrated vision: cooperation over competition, innovation linked to cultural depth, and people-to-people diplomacy as a strategic asset.

Inclusive Global Engagement: ASEAN+3, BRICS, EU and G7

Senator Jaziri has cultivated strategic partnerships across geopolitical groupings with ease and purpose:

In ASEAN+3 dialogues, he has focused on regional integration, education, and technology transfer.

Through BRICS-linked platforms, he has reinforced South–South cooperation that foregrounds equity and sustainability.

With EU and G7 interlocutors, he has positioned Malaysia as a constructive interlocutor on digitalisation, global governance, and climate cooperation.

What distinguishes his engagements is not just participation, but design. Under his watch, Bersatu Malaysia’s international outreach is evolving into a Malaysian model of multilateralism, one that welcomes perse blocs into coordinated developmental frameworks. Throughout his recent engagements, from diplomatic dialogues to ASEAN or EU or BRICS gatherings, Senator has emphasised the importance of cooperation over competition and partnerships that leave no nation behind. Throughout his recent global engagements, from educational and SDG initiatives in Sarawak to diplomatic interactions with partners in Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and the Americas, he has demonstrated a consistent emphasis on cooperation, people-centric diplomacy and shared prosperity.

Inclusive Global Engagement: ASEAN+3, BRICS, EU and G7

In recent years, Senator Jaziri has engaged with perse networks and strategic partners around the world:

• Within ASEAN+3, he has emphasised regional integration and collaboration on technology, education and sustainable development.
• Through BRICS-related forums and dialogues, he has advocated for South–South cooperation that balances economic growth with social equity.
• Engagements with European partners and G7 stakeholders have reinforced the importance of global governance frameworks that support innovation and shared prosperity.

Cultural Diplomacy Soft Power in Action

Senator Jaziri Alkaf’s work reflects a nuanced understanding that no nation can address tomorrow’s challenges in isolation, whether in climate resilience, digital transformation or economic inclusion. He continues to lead with vigour and global vision in fostering international cooperation, people‑to‑people diplomacy, and strategic collaborations across continents and cultures. Thus, in recent months, Senator Jaziri has been deeply engaged in dialogues and activities that reflect Malaysia’s growing role in inclusive diplomacy, working not just within traditional alliances, but embracing multilateral engagement and cultural partnership on the world stage.

One of the clearest manifestations of Senator Jaziri’s quiet diplomacy is the restoration of the historic Russian wooden sailing vessel, The Pilgrim, in Sarawak. The vessel, which had sailed over 23,000 nautical miles, was repaired and revived through the collaborative work of Russian partners, local Malaysian boatbuilders, community leaders, and Sarawak-based logistics actors.

“This is cultural diplomacy at its purest,” Senator Jaziri stated. “It didn’t begin with treaties or multilateral declarations. It began with trust, skills, and mutual respect.”

He has since proposed a Malaysian-built replica of The Pilgrim, the historic Russian wooden sailing vessel, to serve as a roaming museum of maritime heritage and cross-cultural friendship. This symbolic gesture, backed by grassroots participation, embodies Malaysia’s ability to host collaborative international projects at scale. In conversations with local leaders and communities, Senator Jaziri highlighted how the vessel’s restoration is more than a technical feat. It is a living symbol of cultural diplomacy and human cooperation that transcends formal treaty rooms.

“Cultural diplomacy does not always begin with treaties or speeches, but with genuine encounters,” he reflected, noting the shared commitment that brought the Pilgrim back to sea and into a renewed voyage of friendship. Originally built in Russia and having travelled more than 23 000 nautical miles, the ship’s successful repair and resumption of its voyage underscored the power of genuine human cooperation, beyond formal treaties or speeches. The vessel’s journey across continents and welcome in Sarawak showcased how cultural exchange and shared heritage can build bridges between nations.”

Senator Jaziri added, “This is cultural diplomacy at its purest,” reflecting on the cooperation between local boatbuilders, community stakeholders and international partners that brought the Pilgrim back to sea. He also proposed the idea of a Malaysian‑built replica of the vessel, a roaming museum of friendship and maritime heritage that could enrich cultural tourism and further solidify ties between Malaysia and its global partners.

If Senator Jaziri could orchestrate a Russian ship restoration in Sarawak, he can do it with any friendly nation, Australia, USA, China, or from the EU. The implication is clear: Jaziri doesn’t just talk multilateralism; he delivers it in the form of ships, shared history, and shared outcomes.

Historical Leadership in SDG Education and International Recognition

Senator Jaziri’s work extends beyond cultural exchanges. As a key figure in Malaysia’s international engagement efforts, he has represented the country at meetings with partners across the BRICS nations and beyond, promoting peace, mutual understanding and sustainable development cooperation. His leadership vision emphasises that trust and mutual respect are built not only through official dialogues, but through shared experiences, cultural exchanges and human connection.

Long before his current appointment, Senator Jaziri played a pivotal role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) education in Malaysia. In Sarawak, under the umbrella of the MyProdigy programme, he championed the rollout of an SDG-aligned curriculum designed to develop design thinking, critical thinking, growth mindset and resilience among young learners: from secondary schools to universities. The programme, delivered through collaboration with Japan’s Active Learning Association (JALA) and supported by educational leaders, was recognised by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the SDGs, underscoring Malaysia’s potential role in SDG localisation and youth empowerment.

“These skills are essential for equipping students with the competencies needed for the 21st century,” Senator Jaziri said at the time, emphasising the importance of global perspectives, sustainability and self-driven learning.

This early engagement reflected his belief that sustainable development begins with human capacity-building, long before traditional policy platforms take shape. It also shows Senator Jaziri as a leader who aligns national priorities with global goals, not rhetorically, but through implementation.


A Vision for Shared Prosperity

As Chairman of the International Bureau of Bersatu Malaysia, President of BRIC International Malaysia and Executive Chairman of MyProdigy Foundation of Malaysia, Senator Jaziri continues to articulate a foreign policy vision. As Malaysia repositions itself within a multipolar world, Senator Jaziri’s diplomatic style offers a glimpse of what modern engagement can look like:

- Connects cultural heritage with future-ready innovation
- Bridges ASEAN ambition with global strategic partnerships
- Centers people, sustainability and empowerment

This broad and inclusive approach positions Malaysia as a constructive partner on the world stage, capable of convening perse stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable and shared development. Under Senator Jaziri’s guidance, Bersatu Malaysia’s international framework recognises that cooperation must span beyond traditional alliances. From ASEAN collaboration with East Asia (ASEAN+3) to engagements with the BRICS bloc, the European Union and G7 nations, his diplomatic direction reinforces the need for multilateral partnerships that combine economic resilience with inclusive digital futures. Thus, as Malaysia steps further into its role as a regional and global connector, Senator Jaziri remains committed to:

• Strengthening strategic diplomatic and trade partnerships with key global allies;
• Enhancing Malaysia’s global image through meaningful cultural diplomacy initiatives;
• Promoting inclusive cooperation in digitalisation, education, and sustainability across ASEAN, BRICS, and the Islamic world;
• Amplifying Malaysia’s voice in multipolar dialogues, from South–South cooperation to North–South reconciliation.