KUALA LUMPUR – Efforts to foster greater interest among youth in diplomacy and foreign policy have been given a fresh impetus with the publication of ‘Diplomasia’, the debut book by Malaysian geostrategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan.
Written in an accessible style and complemented by illustrations, the book is specifically crafted to engage younger readers, who often perceive geopolitics as overly technical and uninteresting.
Speaking after the book’s launch at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (KLIBF) here today, Azmi said the approach was chosen to make it easier for young people to understand current affairs.
“I wrote this book in a simple language. Issues such as tensions in the South China Sea or the ASEAN Summit 2025 are presented in a narrative style with colour illustrations to capture readers’ attention.
“This book might also rekindle patriotic and nationalistic spirit among youth, as it includes explanations on historical names of the country such as Malaya and Federation of Malaya, which are becoming increasingly unfamiliar to the younger generation,” he said.
With more than a decade of experience in geostrategic analysis, Azmi is a well-known figure across various media platforms, frequently offering academic perspectives on both local and international geopolitical matters.
According to the book’s publisher, PTS Publishing House, Diplomasia is a compilation of current issues that explores Malaysia’s soft power on the world stage, including behind-the-scenes insights into the current political landscape.
“The book aims to open readers’ eyes to Malaysia’s wisdom in negotiation and its principled courage, even when dealing with competing global powers,” it said in a statement.
Among the topics covered in Diplomasia are the Sabah claim, tensions in the South China Sea, Malaysia-Singapore relations, and Malaysia’s position in the MH17 tragedy.
The book is available from PTS Publishing House starting today at a price of RM35. – May 29, 2025