This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Nikesh Mehta

Counsellor for Foreign Policy and Security

Part of UK in Malaysia

9th September 2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Moving Up In The World!

What has three miles of telephone and IT cabling, a floor size of 13,000sqft, and 40% of its wall space covered in coloured, writable glass? Need another clue? It’s also the greenest building in Kuala Lumpur’s Central Business District.

It’s the new British High Commission which opens its doors on 1 October!

The New British High Commission ReceptionIn just three weeks’ time, the British High Commission will move from its present location on Jalan Ampang to a fantastic, state-of-the-art office space on the 27th floor of the Menara Binjai. This move up in the world will transform our working environment and will be a far better symbol of our dynamic and reenergised relationship with Malaysia where some 80% of staff are working on the front line to deliver on our goals.

Our current High Commission building was constructed in 1989: a time when messages were sent by fax, phone calls were made from desks; and our consular services involved submitting paper documents in person and in triplicate. We needed to a have an office space large enough to accommodate a busy visa section and an adequate waiting area for applicants.

But times have changed.

Malaysian nationals wishing to visit the UK no longer require a visa and the processing of visa applications for other nationals is managed effectively by our Visa Application Centre and our embassy in Manila. And, there is now much more information on consular services such as the registration of births and marriages available on our High Commission’s website. This has meant that large parts of the current High Commission have become surplus to requirement.

The new High Commission has a layout far more conducive to modern working. Each section will be in an open-plan environment, which will improve communication between members of staff. We will also have lots of flexible spaces for team meetings or private discussions. I am particularly excited about the large break-out area not least because it’s next to my section. All of the walls in this area are writable – the perfect space to get the creative juices flowing – and it will serve as a place to unwind in the evenings. In effect leaving the office without leaving the office floor

Break-Out Area at the New High CommissionBut it’s not only our physical requirements which have evolved.

A few months ago, I wrote about how the rise of social media and the advent of ‘citizen journalism’ had changed the face of diplomacy. The digital revolution presents incredible opportunities for diplomats to be more accessible and to connect with a much wider audience. This is particularly relevant in Malaysia where nearly 90% of the country is online and almost half the population has a Facebook account.

But in order to grasp this opportunity, we need to have the right tools and infrastructure in place. I hope you have noticed that we have been more active on our social media channels of late. We have added more unique content to our website and Facebook pages, and we have made a strong push to engage directly on issues that matter though our Twitter accounts.

The new High Commission will provide us with the perfect platform to expand even further our online presence. So look out for more competitions, debates and opportunities to air your views.

I have said many times on my blog that the bilateral relationship between the UK and Malaysia has been elevated to its highest level in recent memory with 10% more staff than 2 years ago. We now have a High Commission which will symbolise all that perfectly.Outdoor Terrace at the New High Commission

The new High Commission’s details are:

  • British High Commission
    Level 27 Menara Binjai
    2 Jalan Binjai
    Kuala Lumpur 50450
    Switchboard Telephone +60 3 2170 2200
    Switchboard Fax +60 3 2170 2370

9 comments on “Moving Up In The World!

  1. It is a truly stunning new location for the British High Comm, reading the article and the high tech environment that the High Comm is now residing it is great that we can be innovative and leading the way in sustainability. How times have changed for all of us over the years well done to all.

  2. It would have been perfect to have the gracious Duchess of Cambridge and honourable Prince William for an official opening today in Kuala Lumpur; no David Beckham? Alright then, here’s my best wishes in your new Binjal home, cheers!

  3. Looking forward to have my first step at the new venue after made mine at the current one in Jalan Ampang! Anyone, congrats to all of you for the success! 😀

    P/S,
    Will the HM still be the one to officiate the High Commission like the one for the current building in Jalan Ampang? 😀

  4. In my own summary, I give kudos and salute to the inventors of yester years and the present ones for their unlimited ideas, efforts, innovations in ICT for making everything possible and easy today, compared to two or three decades ago.

Comments are closed.

About Nikesh Mehta

Nikesh (Nik) Mehta commenced his posting as Counsellor (Foreign Policy and Security) at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur in January 2012. This new role was created to strengthen…

Nikesh (Nik) Mehta commenced his posting as Counsellor (Foreign
Policy and Security) at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur in
January 2012. This new role was created to strengthen the British
Government’s relationship with Malaysia on issues such as Counter
Terrorism, Counter Proliferation and Transnational Crime.
Nik joined the Foreign Office in 2002 after nearly three years
working as a teacher in rural Japan. His first experience of culture
shock was trying to explain why he was vegetarian to a group of
sceptical Japanese students. Nik spent a year on the NATO desk in London
before serving in the Coalition Provisional Authority as the Political
Officer for southern Iraq based in Basrah.
In 2004, Nik was appointed as Second Secretary (Political) in Kampala
primarily responsible for reporting on conflict with the Lord’s
Resistance Army, the ensuing humanitarian crisis and the subsequent
peace talks in Juba. The posting was particularly poignant for Nik’s
family as his mother, a Ugandan-Asian, was expelled from the country by
Idi Amin’s forces in 1972.
For the last four years, Nik has served in the Foreign Office’s
Counter Terrorism Department, most recently as Head of the Guantanamo
and Rendition Issues Team.
Nik is in Kuala Lumpur with his Australian wife, Anna, and their
three year old son, Arran. You can follow him on Twitter @nikmehta33.

Follow Nikesh