KUCHING, August 7: Hendy Assan, the newly appointed ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan, has described his appointment as the ‘pinnacle of his career’ as a diplomat.
Hendy is a 48-year-old Bidayuh from Kampung Skiat Baru in Bau. He received his credential from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 5, along with nine other heads of mission.
“It’s an honour for the trust they have in me; I will do my best to fulfil my mission by doing my very best to deliver. At the same time, I will do my utmost best to promote closer bilateral relations between Malaysia and Uzbekistan,” Hendy told DayakDaily today.
He also hoped his appointment would inspire other Bidayuh graduates to join the diplomatic service and to represent Malaysia at the highest level.
When asked about his immediate task, he replied, “We will have to prove and deliver. It’s quite a challenge, but if we do our best, we’ll prevail. There are many bosses who appreciate genuine and sincere officers, but it all depends on ourselves. We must do our best and prove our capabilities”.
He was here to pay a courtesy call on Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday.
Hendy is married to a Swiss national, and they have two daughters aged 12 and 14.
He started his service as an assistant director of Asean at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1995. He later served in various overseas missions, including Senegal, Italy, China and Japan.
Before his current appointment, he was serving as Undersecretary of East Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since early this year.
Hendy is the third Bidayuh to have been appointed an ambassador. The other two are Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet and John Tenewe Nuek. Gloria is currently High Commissioner to Nigeria; she is also the first Dayak woman to be appointed an ambassador. John, on the other hand, has retired. His last mission was to Venezuela. — DayakDaily
