About Diplomatify

Books

Dr Ilango is also the author of The Malaysia We Almost Forgot, a series of road journeys exploring the country’s places, communities and overlooked histories. The published volumes cover Malaysia’s East Coast and West Coast.

Diplomatic experience translated into practical guidance

Diplomatify helps international NGOs, diplomatic missions, regional organisations and businesses understand Malaysia, ASEAN and the environment in which they operate.

It is led by Dato’ Dr Ilango Karuppannan, a former Malaysian Ambassador and High Commissioner with 33 years of experience across diplomacy, foreign policy, ASEAN and international negotiations.

During his diplomatic career, Dr Ilango served as High Commissioner to Singapore and Ambassador to Lebanon and Cyprus. As Head of Policy Planning at Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he led key policy work during Malaysia’s 2005 ASEAN Chairmanship, including work on the ASEAN Charter and the first East Asia Summit.

That experience enables Diplomatify to go beyond formal institutions and explain how decisions are actually made, which stakeholders matter, and which political and cultural sensitivities international teams need to understand.

Today, Dr Ilango is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at RSIS and an Adjunct Professor at Universiti Malaya and Taylor’s University. Through executive orientation, strategic advisory and tailored briefings, he helps international teams operate in Malaysia and Southeast Asia with greater clarity and confidence.